By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 03:46 pm:

I have bad news to report. I just received an e-mail from Sis Detroit and she informed me Pistol is in Beaumont hospital in a semi-coma. His family has been called to his side. Considering Pistol's illness I'm assuming we should expect to lose another Brother. My thoughts are with him.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 05:30 pm:

Sis sent in this link which contains a pic of Pistol.

http://wenkiah.tripod.com/thefunkbrothers/id3.html

By Sue (64.12.105.47 - 64.12.105.47) on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 06:03 pm:

God bless Pistol ... I had hoped he'd make it til the Funk Bros. movie premiere. In the brief time I knew him he was such a vibrant character. --

By Bradburger (172.181.239.12 - 172.181.239.12) on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 06:21 pm:

Sorry to hear this.

Hang on in there Pistol.

Cheers

Paul

By Dennis Coffey (205.188.200.48 - 205.188.200.48) on Saturday, June 29, 2002 - 09:26 pm:

Sorry to hear this as well. I saw pistol last year when he was going in for treatments. Pistol was always a happy vibrant person and a lot of laughs.

Dennis

By Gabriele (212.171.164.231 - 212.171.164.231) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 02:55 pm:

May God helps Richard"Pistol"Allen...

Gabriele.

By Sue (152.163.213.56 - 152.163.213.56) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 05:35 pm:

Folks,
Sad news, Pistol Allen has passed. Even though we knew it was coming, it's so hard to lose another Funk brother. Any of you guys out there who played with him, Channel 50 is looking to talk to people about Pistol. Call Craig Wyland at 248 355 7100.

By Motown (24.247.244.50 - 24.247.244.50) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 05:38 pm:

Another sad day for Motown.


My sympathies sure do go out for he, and his family.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 05:54 pm:

The best tributes are those which talk of a person's warmth and character.

From what I have read on Pistol, he had this in abundance.

Richard "Pistol" Allen R.I.P.

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 06:10 pm:

I am deeply sadened by this, He has touched all our lives, My sympathies are with his family and friends. Rest in peace.

By HW (68.37.217.106 - 68.37.217.106) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 06:17 pm:

We knew this was coming but prayed it wouldn't. I know I came 'after the fact' - but if I may tell a story... simply that when I began putting together Motown collections, Pistol was always good for a story or a reference. Always. Just from speaking to him brifely I also knew he always wanted to play. Thank God he was part of the film. I wanted to reach out recently to see how he was doing but was discouraged from doing so... so it was apparent he was letting go of this earth... Goodbye Pistol, and THANK YOU... you will never be forgotten.

By Ralph Terrana (Ralph) (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 06:19 pm:

Pistol Allen....a drummer along with Uriel on my first Motown session using the Funk Brothers. Being new, I was somewhat apprehensive when my partner Mike Valvano told me to cue Pistol at various parts of the track for fills etc. so there I stood...eye to eye with Pistol, and all through the song he smiled at me as he as he blew me away with what he knew how to do.

By Sis Detroit (67.25.218.89 - 67.25.218.89) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 06:38 pm:

((((((PISTOL ALLEN)))))))) R.I.P.

By Ed Wolfrum (165.247.229.13 - 165.247.229.13) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 06:52 pm:

May Pistol's Soul rest in the peace of God.

Pistol was a great man and a wonderful father. The joy in his eye's at the "Standing in the Shadow's" shoot when he looked at his daughter said it all.

Pistol left us all with great music and wonderful memories.

Our loss is heaven's gain. He is now with all the rest of the great ones, in the ultimate BIG BAND, and oh, what a conductor!!!

By Ian W (213.122.165.31 - 213.122.165.31) on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 10:25 pm:

What a terrible loss for all of us! This makes the film an even more important document. So sorry!

By Vickie (64.12.103.22 - 64.12.103.22) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 01:30 am:

What a loss to all fans evereywhere.
Sorry to all of you that lost a dear friend..
I agree the film now is even more important..

Vickie

By Allen Family (64.12.105.161 - 64.12.105.161) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 01:54 am:

We'd like to thank everyone for their love and prayers. Daddy always said "Is everybody ok? I just want everybody to be ok and enjoy life." As our family joins together, his love will endure in us forever and his legacy will live on. So we say to our dad "we'll be ok".
thank you

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 02:04 am:

To the Allen Family:
Please accept our deepest condolences from those of us at Soulful Detroit. As you can see by the postings, your father was loved and respected by all and we will never forget him. His music will live on in all of us.

By Allan Slutsky (152.163.213.56 - 152.163.213.56) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 04:00 am:

There were a lot of rewarding moments for me during the filming of STANDING IN THE SHADOWS OF MOTOWN. One of them stands head and shoulders above all the rest. When the film is finally released, you'll see it. It's at the end of the film while the band is playing "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" with Chaka Kahn.

There is a profile shot that shows Uriel and Pistol slammin' away at the groove. The expression on Pistol's face is one of sheer ecstasy . . . a look that said, "I waited my whole life for this moment and it's finally here." I think his one moment is going to last a long time for me and I'm sure for all of you too when you finally see it.

Allan

By jack (65.82.175.175 - 65.82.175.175) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 04:59 am:

It seems like yesterday we were so happy to get together again,and share the story,s that only good friends can share. God had another plan for us he needed to change the make up of the funk brothers family. But know one can take your place in our hearts and memories. The funk brothers will all ways remember you pistol Tell Earl ,James, Bongo. Robert, and Benny that we said we will never forget and they will take care of you.So pass over in calm and pease . Jack Ashford your funk Brother

By John Lester (213.122.203.162 - 213.122.203.162) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 06:28 am:

Jack

That was SO poignant. I am sure that posting will help more people than just me, to deal with such a tragic loss.

By F&J Brown (64.12.104.42 - 64.12.104.42) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 07:48 am:

To The Allen Family;
Please accept our deepest condolence,our prayers
and love go out to all of you. Harold we wish
that we could be with you at your time of sorrow.
Brother you know that our arms are wrapped around you,and we are here when you need us.
From your Minnesota Family

By BOBBABBITT (64.12.106.53 - 64.12.106.53) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 08:12 am:

I HAD SOME FRIENDS OVER A COUPLE OF NIGHTS AGO AND WE WATCHED THE FILM..ALLAN IS SO RIGHT WHAT HE SAID ABOUT THE LOOK ON PISTOL'S FACE ON HIS DRUM FILL DURING "AIN'T NO MOUNTIN HIGH", ALONG WITH THE FILL HE PLAYS ON THE END OF "WHAT BECOMES OF THE BROKEN HEARTED", AND WHEN THE CAMERA IS ON HIM ON THE SONG "HEAT WAVE" PISTOL WAS ALREADY IN HEAVEN......AS I WATCHED THOSE SCENES I COULD NOT HOLD BACK THE TEARS......PISTOL, AS ONE OF A SPECIAL SPIRITUAL GROUP THAT TOUCHED THE WORLD THRU THE HEART AND SOUL OF THEIR MUSIC, YOU WILL BE MISSED, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN...... BOB BABBITT

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 08:26 am:

This is tragic news this morning. Deepest condolences to the Allen family from us all. He will be sadly missed, forgotten...not.

By drums (208.251.209.82 - 208.251.209.82) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 01:05 pm:

To the Allen Family,

The Cooper Brothers offer our deepest condolences to "Pistol" and you are in our prayers. R.I.P

Daren Metz
Fred & Robert Cooper

Philadelphia, PA

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.74.156 - 213.122.74.156) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 01:09 pm:

http://www.freep.com/news/obituaries/pist1_20020701.htm

By david, glasgow, scotland (213.122.74.156 - 213.122.74.156) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 01:10 pm:

http://detnews.com/obituaries/index.htm

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 02:49 pm:

To the Allen Family:

Last Friday night my wife and I watched a room full of strangers singing and dancing with each other to the recorded beat of our departed brother's drums. It's a heartbeat that has changed many lives and literally helped bring a nation together. His anonymous accomplishments are among our generation's most precious treasures that we can never lose.

The fact that we've been celebrating his life for nearly a half century can't make up for the personal loss of a beloved family member. A musician's life is never easy and family support frequently provides the foundation that makes music possible. None of us can possibly thank your family enough for sharing him with the world. Please accept our deepest condolences and prayers.

Bob and Ellen Olhsson

By John Perrone (205.188.195.199 - 205.188.195.199) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 03:39 pm:

Such a sad day....the loss of the MAN that drove the MEN! The unique riff's and rhythms that PISTOL
supplied to the MOTOWN SOUND....I walk to these
every day of my life. My condolences to his loved ones.

By Sue (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 04:09 pm:

David --

That Free Press link you posted picked up information (and even word choices) from the longer News obit on Pistol, which is now available online. The Associated Press picked up the News obit and as a member paper, Freep can run AP stuff. Even if it originated in the News. Interesting to read News info in the Freep!

http://detnews.com/2002/obituaries/0207/01/a01-527789.htm

By BassLand (64.169.104.108 - 64.169.104.108) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 05:30 pm:

To the Allen Family,

I am a bass player and we bassists have a special relationship with drummers and I have had one with Pistol since 1963 even though we had never met. I first saw him at a preview of SITSOM the Funk Brothers movie. I remember how happy he looked in that film. I have put a rememberance of Pistol on my website too. We will miss him.

http://bassland.net/_discussion/00000274.htm

With a deep sense of loss,

BassLand

By waynelwright (24.44.80.171 - 24.44.80.171) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 06:01 pm:

To the family of Pistol Allen: Today, I made the sad discovery of Pistol Allen's departure from this earth. I played many years ago with Pistol with the George Benson Quartet at the "Duchess" on Van Dyke Avenue in East Detroit. Pistol taught a young, eager, left-handed guitar player how to keep time with his foot by rocking back and forth, heel to toe. Pistol's kindness will always remain with me. We lost a great man and a great player. We hadn't seen each other since that time, but I still remember that lesson. Dear Pistol, RIP
Regards to all, Wayne L. Wright

By Robert McGowan (152.163.197.58 - 152.163.197.58) on Sunday, July 07, 2002 - 07:20 pm:

To Aunt Barbara and Family,
We were very sorry to hear about the loss of Uncle Pistol. We would love to have been able to be with you during this time of sorrow. We had circumstances that prevented this. You all are in our prayers. We love you and hope to see you soon.

By Me! (152.163.206.177 - 152.163.206.177) on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 12:46 am:

R. I. P., Dad. I did not know!!!

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 03:51 am:

Me,
Can you tell us who you are?