Peterborough music fans mourn passing of ‘absolute legend’ Chris Allen

Chris Allen, a much-loved musician and singer who had been an integral part of the Peterborough music scene for more than five decades, died late on Saturday night.

The 70-year-old had been battling cancer for three years.

Social media has been flooded with tributes from thousands of people keen to share their memories of a man who, to many, was the de facto face of the city’s musical landscape:

Keith Lewington of the Peterborough Musicians group on Facebook described Chris as an “absolute legend of the Peterborough music scene.”

“[He] played in many bands over the years… Salmon Dave, Brotherhoods Roundabout, The Motivators and Gobblinz to name a few.”

“[He] will be sorely missed not by hundreds but by thousands of people.”

“His humour, his lyrical and his musical skills put smiles on the faces of everyone who saw and heard him”

The Lime Tree pub – one of the hundreds of local venues Chris performed at throughout his lengthy career – spoke for many when they said: “We will miss him enormously and we are incredibly honoured to have known him.”

“He played with absolute passion, skill and generosity of his talent and strength to perform was second to none; his humour, his lyrical and his musical skills put smiles on the faces of everyone who saw and heard him, he was and always will be an incredible ambassador of Peterborough.”

Paul Allen, Chris’ bandmate from Tiger Club said Chris was a musician’s musician: “He brought a richness in life to everybody that knew and loved him, and for his band mates, he personified just why we play.”

“RIP Mr Chris Allen; no one will ever forget the impact you had on us all”

As well as being a revered musician, Chris was also much-loved teacher who worked at a number of local schools over several decades.

Former pupils – some of whom have gone on to become teachers themselves – took to social media en masse to remember the encouraging approach and infectious sense of fun Chris brought to education.

Former Orton Longueville school pupil Lisa Greenfield spoke for many when she said: “RIP Mr Chris Allen; no one will ever forget the impact you had on us all.”

‘Mr A’ kicked off his teaching career at Orton Longueville School, where he met another teacher, Tina, who would later become his wife. After 15 years there, he moved over to the Priory School in Spalding. The last school he worked at was Kirkstone House in Baston.

“Mr Allen was at the centre of so much that made our school special,” the school said. “He was rarely seen without a smile, a laugh, and one of his brightly coloured shirts.”

The school said they intended to celebrate Chris’ life at their annual Prize Giving event in the summer.

“He was everybody’s friend"

Chris’ wife, Tina said she had been moved by “the realisation of how much Chris was treasured by so many people.”

Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph, she said: “The whole family has been overwhelmed with the love and support that we’ve received.”

“We knew how much he was loved but we didn't realise the extent of the impact he had on other people - and I don’t think he did either.”

On her husband’s legacy, Tina said simply: “He was everybody’s friend.”

“It’s going to feel like there will be a huge hole in the music industry in Peterborough.”

Chris died at Thorpe Hall Hospice on Saturday, March 14. He had just celebrated his 70th birthday. He said he was happy to be returning to the former hospital as that was where he was born.

“He wanted his life to go full circle,” Tina shared.