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Suburbs Guitarist Bruce C. Allen Taken Off Life Support

Suburbs guitarist Bruce C. Allen was taken off life support on Monday, according to City Pages. The 54-year-old guitarist, who co-founded the Minneapolis-based band in 1977, was hospitalized at the city's Hennepin County Medical Center last week for uncontrolled bleeding. He ultimately suffered internal bleeding and organ failure.

Allen achieved national fame with the Suburbs in 1983 when the song 'Love Is the Law,' released on Mercury Records, became an early MTV favorite. A second song, 'Life Is Like,' also received network airplay when it was released in 1986. The group put Twin/Tone Records on the map, releasing its debut single in 1978. The albums 'In Combo' and 'Credit in Heaven' followed on the regional label, which was also home to the Replacements and Soul Asylum, in 1980 and 1981 respectively.

Allen -- who also worked as a graphic designer and was responsible for the album art on the Replacements' 1984 disc 'Let It Be' -- had an assortment of health problems in recent years, including triple bypass surgery in 2008. He also had symptoms of hemophilia and suffered from kidney stones.

A Minneapolis scene fixture in the Suburbs until their split in 1987 and subsequently with the Pilgrims, Allen also played in the X-Boys and reformed the Suburbs in 1993.

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david sherman

that photo of Bruce is from a promo poster that was included with Dreamhog EP, released in 1982.

February 06 2010 at 1:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lynn Allen

I can't believe all you have to do is post about shit you know nothing about. I am his uncle and think you need to get a life, Bruce had one and it was bigger than anything you will ever be involved in.

December 10 2009 at 10:17 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jennifer Salome

I'm going to miss you, Bruce. You were a great guitarist and uncle. :) May you get your Credit in Heaven ;)
Thanks to everyone for their support during this hard time.

December 09 2009 at 1:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
squeapler

Yeah, I'm guessing you're either the wrong age then or not a music head as plenty of other people here seem to know who he is just fine.

December 09 2009 at 12:56 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mary

Bruce was in a band called "Websters Swill", b/4 the suburbs....with my brother Jeff, Dan & Mark. Really talented, and he will be missed.

December 08 2009 at 11:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JEFF

ANYONE WOULD BE BETTER THAN SPRINGSTEEN, TO BAD THAT JERK DIDN'T DIE..

December 08 2009 at 7:32 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
gumshoesdetagcy

NEVER HEARD OF THEM,,, R.I.P. SALUTE

December 08 2009 at 7:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jeff J.

Yes, even in Duluth the Suburbs were big. They played numorous times at a club I co-owned called the Showcase. Great guys, great crowds, great fun, cutting edge music and presence.The Suburbs,groups like them and groups after them, turned a page in rock history. Your legacy is the only thing you leave behind anyways.
............."I Like Cows"!

December 08 2009 at 6:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura

May Bruce RIP. The Suburbs were one of the best bands period! Never missed them!

December 08 2009 at 6:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Henry

I never heard of Bruce C. Allen. Rest in peace, Bruce. I heard of hemophilia. It is called a bleeders disease. Actor Richard Burton suffered from it. It is a genetic disease. Take care, Bruce. Your music has brought beauty to us all.


December 08 2009 at 6:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply