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Richard 'Pistol' Allen

Born August 12, 1932 · Memphis, Tennessee, USA (age 94)

Richard "Pistol" Allen was the king of the shuffle styled drum beat at Motown records in the early 60s, second only to Motown drummer extraordinare Benny 'Papa Zita' Benjamin. When Benjamin wasn't available to play, Allen was called in to replace him. Allen played drums on major Motown hits such as The Supremes's "Baby Love", The Four Tops's "I Can't Help Myself", 'Jr. Walker"s "How Sweet It Is (…

Known For

Standing in the Shadows of MotownStanding in the Shadows of Motown · 2002
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
★ 7.02002
MovieDocumentaryMusic
In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a fourteen year period they were the heartbeat on every hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, this unheralded group of musicians had played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined - which makes them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They called themselves the Funk Brothers. Forty-one years after they played their first note on a Motown record and three decades since they were all together, the Funk Brothers reunited back in Detroit to play their music and tell their unforgettable story, with the help of archival footage, still photos, narration, interviews, re-creation scenes, 20 Motown master tracks, and twelve new live performances of Motown classics with the Brothers backing up contemporary performers.

Filmography

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Standing in the Shadows of MotownStanding in the Shadows of Motown · 2002
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
★ 7.02002
MovieDocumentaryMusic
In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. gathered the best musicians from Detroit's thriving jazz and blues scene to begin cutting songs for his new record company. Over a fourteen year period they were the heartbeat on every hit from Motown's Detroit era. By the end of their phenomenal run, this unheralded group of musicians had played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined - which makes them the greatest hit machine in the history of popular music. They called themselves the Funk Brothers. Forty-one years after they played their first note on a Motown record and three decades since they were all together, the Funk Brothers reunited back in Detroit to play their music and tell their unforgettable story, with the help of archival footage, still photos, narration, interviews, re-creation scenes, 20 Motown master tracks, and twelve new live performances of Motown classics with the Brothers backing up contemporary performers.

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