A brief chronology

This chronology is a summary of the more detailed chronology found at http://threadoflunacy.blogspot.com/p/all-our-yesterdays-annotated-chronology.html, and focuses on key points in his career. It is summarized by year. For the early years, dating is approximate.

1946: Allan is born in Bradford. He is raised by his maternal grandparents, Sam and Elsie. He takes an early interest in listening to music, enjoying Sam's collection of jazz and classical records.

1960: Allan leaves school and starts working various jobs.

1961: Allan starts to play on an acoustic guitar Sam gets for him. Sam is an accomplished piano player, and starts giving Allan music lessons.

1963: Allan gets his first electric guitar by attaching a pickup to an acoustic guitar. He starts playing in local bands, playing Top 40 material and some blues.

1968: Allan joins Igginbottom, a Bradford band playing original tunes.

1969: Igginbottom play Ronnie Scott's jazz club in London, and record an album for Deram. The album is not successful, and the band breaks up. Allan starts working professionally in the Glen South band, playing Yorkshire ballrooms. This allows him to practice during the day.

1972: Allan takes up an offer by Ray Warleigh to live with him in London. Allan starts playing with pianist Pat Smythe and drummer John Marshall. Allan records "Belladonna" with Ian Carr. He joins Jon Hiseman's Tempest, and they record their eponymous album, and tour Europe.

1973: Allan joins Soft Machine.

1974: Allan tours with Soft Machine, and records "Bundles".

1975: Allan leaves Soft Machine to join Tony Williams. He moves to New York, tours and records "Believe It".

1976: Allan records "Velvet Darkness" and "Million Dollar Legs". The Tony Williams band falls apart, Allan is broke and sells his Gibson SG to return to England. On his return, he joins Gong, records "Gazeuse" and tours.

1977: Allan records "Enigmatic Ocean" with Jean Luc Ponty, joins Bruford and records "Feels Good To Me". He also joins UK, and records and tours with the band.

1978: Allan leaves UK.

1979: Allan records "One Of A Kind" with Bruford.