Allen spent the first ten years of his adult life working in aircraft engineering.

He studied drumming with local drummer Jack Horwood for two years and for a short period with Philly Joe Jones.

During 1963 he became a member of Zoot Money's Big Roll Band, which included Andy Summers (later of The Police).

[1] For a few years ago he played occasionally at The Bull's Head, Barnes with the Big Roll Band when visiting London.

Allen has worked with Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson, Memphis Slim, Solomon Burke, John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers, Mick Taylor, Focus, Donovan, Stone The Crows, Georgie Fame, Brian Joseph Friel,[2] and The British Blues Quintet with keyboardist Zoot Money, bassist Colin Hodgkinson, and vocalist Maggie Bell.