Dave Allen Biography

The odd man out on the otherwise freaky and psychedelic International Artists label, Dave Allen was a straightforward Texas blues guitarist rather in the mold of Houston’s own Johnny Winters. Based in the small hill country town of San Marcos, TX, Allen first made a local name for himself in the nearby college town of Austin, where his unpretentious blues-rock style led International Artists head Lelan Rogers to ask him to record an album. Although 1969’s Color Blind is a fairly solid example of Texas blues-rock, it’s primarily of interest to collectors because of its status as one of the original 12 albums released on the highly regarded International Artists label. Allen dropped from sight shortly after the album’s release.