July 1965 Alan joined the Manchester R&B band Ivans Meads who released their first single "The Sins of a Family" for EMI in October 1965, followed by "We'll Talk About It Tomorrow" in September 1966.
[1] He continued his friendship with Robert Palmer from Vinegar Joe co-writing "Gotta Get a Grip on You, Part 2" (from Some People Can Do What They Like (1976)), "The Silver Gun" (from Pride (1983)) "Jealous" released as a single from the album Secrets and "Life in Detail" also released as a single, (from the soundtrack to Pretty Woman (1990)).
During 1974, he joined Hawkwind as a second drummer, recording two albums, Warrior on the Edge of Time (1975) and Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music (1976), and contributed to Hawkwind collaborator Michael Moorcock's 1975 album New Worlds Fair.
In 1977, he formed the short-lived touring band Kicks with Paul Rudolph (Hawkwind), Steve York (Vinegar Joe) and Cal Batchelor (Quiver), then teamed up with Mick Farren, Larry Wallis and Wilko Johnson for the "Screwed Up" EP (1977) and Vampires Stole My Lunch Money (1978).
In 1978, he formed Tanz Der Youth with The Damned leader Brian James, released the single "I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry"/"Delay", recorded a Peel Session,[2] toured with Black Sabbath and appeared at Turner's 'Bohemian Love-In' event.