Suburbs guitarist Bruce C. Allen to be taken off life support tonight

I was the lead singer/lead guitarist for The JETS, who appeared on Twin Tone's double album sampler Big Hits Of Mid America Volume 3 along with a host of Minneapolis' finest bands, which included the legendary Suburbs. The news of B.C.'s passing has saddened us all. Back in the late seventies The JETS would've been the first to admit we were not only outsiders, but totally stunned by the fabulous scene we were invited to become a part of, and The Suburbs were without question our favorite act. It wasn't just the music, we use to go to all the Suburbs shows we were in town for just to see what they were going to do. We'd always show up early to chat with the band, mostly Chaney, who would prowl around Jay's Longhorn in a long black trench coat to hide whatever he might be wearing on stage that night. The Suburbs were in a league of their own. Our hearts and prayers go out to all of the family, friends and fans. He will certainly be missed and remembered, and he along with the rest of the band, deserves his place in Minneapolis' rock history.

Wish I could make a few more guitar changes for Bruce.It was an honor(and fun)working for him and even Cooler playing in The Pilgrims!Say hi to Steve old Buddy,We will miss you Dearly.

We miss you! Thank you for rescuing me from The Marshall Tucker Band and Steely Dan! You had a wonderful influence on my young life and inspired me to spend 40 bucks on a bass at pawn shop (instead of a bag of pot). I started a band and we covered many of the Suburbs songs; Cows, Chemistry Set, Couldn't Care Less, Baby Heartbeat, Music For Boys, and more. Enough about me, Love You!

he took me under his wing and introduced me to all sorts of important people and took me n jana to big industry party's and told everybody how great i was cuz he knew all i wanted 2 b was a big rtockstar... just like he was!! he was a rockstar!! so kind, so genorus 'n i had'nt called him in 2 years... i'm dyin'

I was barely even interested in music, when I saw the Suburbs play at my high school, and it changed my young life! They were just simply amazing. In large part, thanks to Allen, the local music scene became a great part of my life. I even tried my hand at a few bands. Such a shame he's gone.

I'll find you when I get there, pal..

Bruce you were like a big brother to me when I was growing up. Jim,(Jim is actually my big brother) Steve, Mike and you. But you were always so good to me and gave me endless laughs. I remember when my brothers went to CA and they let the "Suburbs" stay at their house. I stopped in to check on our dog that just had puppies. You guys were jammin and ever so crazy. You guys wearing snowmobile helmets in the living room jamming away. I was and always have been so proud of you Bruce. Thank you for being such a huge and inspirational part of my life. You were always one of the Seiler family and will remain so forever. I love you so much Bruce and I will miss you dearly but I will celebrate your life. When you get to heaven please give Brian Schletty all of our love. God Speed to you dear Bruce!!

Bruce,

Those wings I bought us at Liquor Lyle's last we saw each other were good, you were right about that... I'll never forget how for four years you made my job easier at that little music store we were at, every time I had to step in back, you'd be there plunking away at that keyboard with a story to tell. And for just a little while, I could escape the craziness of the salesfloor.

I'll miss you, my friend. You really were one of the good ones...

I owe Bruce a thanks for many things.

Have been thinking back the last few days and randomly thought "I haven't talked to Bruce in ages..." When my career wasn't going as well, I always felt okay calling him up and being real about that with him. He was a very down to Earth person, a solid player and a wonderful live energy. I am in tears tonight because I know that I'll never get to go to another Suburbs show at First Avenue with him in it.

Thank you Bruce for everything. Bonnie, Chan and Hugo if you're reading this, I am so sorry for your loss and I thank you again for caring about helping me create things, even when I wasn't very good at it yet.

love,
Brooke

This "pre-obituary" is in really poor taste and is a very insensitive thing to publish. Let Bruce's family release the real information and show your respect by publishing that, not hearsay,

Andrea Swensson you should be ashamed of yourself for printing an article you did not have the facts for. It's one thing to get a date wrong but to report on someone's death who hasn't died is unforgiveable. I hope you get your facts straight before you hurt another family and friends at the most trying time of their life.

Bruce has a huge extended family, probably what "anonymous" considers "hearsay" others consider "fact". This is very sad news. Rest in peace B.C. Allen.

Now that's it's official,I remember the good times,you were always the life of the party..
We celebrate your spirit!
ONE LOVE!
Annie

^^ anonymous, see the editors note above.

Bruce you will be missed.
It was a great pleasure to play music with you.
The ring of your guitar, and spectacular rock mouth will be a continuing influence on me in this life and the next.
Rock On!
C

This is your Niece Nikki, we will miss you Uncle Bruce! I will never forget you, and I am thankful to be able to be with you during your last moments. Love and miss you! ~Nikki~

THANK YOU for all the support. It's been a difficult night for the family (I'm his neice) and it's great to see the support.
However, I do wish that the family had released it first.
But thanks for the support. A sad day for MPLS music :(

Dear Bruce- for the many years we played, the friendship we shared and the connection you said would always be there...love to you until we meet again. Steve & Merrie Brantseg

News of Bruce's death has left me feeling saddened and, suddenly, much older. I will always remember him as a young student at the U of M taking steps two and three at a time to the class we were always late for as well as his great guitar playing, onstage energy and love for being in one of the greatest 70s/80s bands in Minneapolis. Thank you, Bruce, for all the good times. May you R.I.P.

'Several Sources'? How hard would it have been to talk to the family and get it right? Shame on you.

My deepest sympathies to his family at this most difficult time. Bruce Allen forever changed for me what an awesome guitar lick could be. For those of us who only knew him as the man who commandeered the gold Les Paul guitar, his presence and his spirit is missed dearly.

The best guitar player in this town, who played in the best band in this town. The 'burbs never got their due, they should have been the biggest thing to come out of the Twin Cities. I never danced like I danced to the Suburbs, they were the smartest, coolest, beat-happy pop disco punks ever.

My friend and former neighbor, we will miss you! I'm sure you have some "CREDIT IN HEAVEN" you are probably " on the guest list"

In Combo was the first record I ever heard from Minneapolis, starting me down a long road. It's an amazing album with an amazing guitar sound, and just exactly what a stereo needs every once in a while. Thank you, Bruce. My condolences to family and friends.

Like many of you I'm sure, I saw more live shows than I can remember. I just got around to framing an autographed "Final Reunion" poster on my wall 2 weeks ago that he no doubt did. I once pulled up next to him at 28th and Park - i was riding a Norton and he got a laugh when I pointed to my goggles - no words were needed.

I discovered the Suburbs in high school which made me join my first band and led me to the Replacements, etc., etc. Something about the Suburbs made us feel better in our tiny suburban town to know music like this existed and we felt just a little bit cooler for finding it. I hope it is of some comfort to his family to know all the lives Bruce's music changed.

Bruce C. Allen: A huge influence for me. I remember going to a hair stylist in 1981 and asked for a haircut just like Bruce C. Allen of the Suburbs. I didn't expect the stylist to know who I was talking about but I thought it was worth a try. Ended up with Denny Terrio. Oh well. I interviewed for a graphic designer position at the Ad Agency where he worked. Didn't get the job. They don't know what they missed out on. Anyway, I followed the 'Burbs and saw them countless times. They influenced my band (Bat Lenny). The Suburbs were the most under-appreciated band ever, except by those that did appreciate them. I ranked them with the best - Talking Heads, XTC, and a shot of Pere Ubu for sheer weirdness.

This is truly a loss to the music community. The Suburbs have been a Twin City Legend for so many years.

I remember the times of playing at the St. Paul Winter Carnival and they played at my high school also. I also remember great times touring through Milwaukee and other Midwest Cities.

A life time of great moments and memories to help through this sad time.

I almost forgot about Nimrod, the bus that they toured in.

Let the memories continue.

Blammomusic's comment says it all for me.

Anyone planning a Suburbs tribute in his honor?

DJ Rudh will likely be spinning some 'Burbs tunes at his show tonight 10pm at Clubhouse Jager, 923 N Washington. I myself will be raising a glass for Bruce at the CC, a bit earlier.

Bruce, it's so hard to say good-bye but the legacy you left to all of the people you loved and loved you, as well as your fans is a huge tribute to your life, the musician, the artist, and the truly remarkable person you were. You were like a big brother to me from the time I was a little girl until today. The things I remember about you more than anything was your heart of gold for everyone, your laughter and smile. Keeping life light no matter what the obsticales were. I learned so much from the way you lived your life Bruce. Your determination to never give up and never grow up. The world was your laughter and you brought light and laughter to anyone you were around. I love you my friend and my brother. You are now with my other friend and brother that I loved so dearly, Brian Schletty. I am comforted to know that you are with Brian and rockin the pearly gates of heaven. Today, "my guitar gently weeps" for the man God took to soon, but I will rejoice forever to know how much you touched and inspired my life which you will continue to do. I love you so much Bruce!!

If I'm on my deathbed, I hope someone reports it like this. It's a chance to read a great eulogy while you're still alive. As I read this, I have to paraphrase, "the best isn't over, but I'm no longer young." Even in my 40's, I still remember 'burbs concerts and get pumped up. Sorry Bruce is gone.

Bruce, you and your family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers. Your band The Suburbs brought me and so many others a lot of good memories during the Longhorn, Cabooze, and Duffy days. You are indeed one of the great Leaders and Heroes of the TC Music scene. Rest in Peace, Former Sound Man for The Phones, Mike Youngman

The Suburbs were truely a great Twin Cities bands. I was sad to hear about Bruces death . The family , band members and his friends are in my thoughts and prayers . My friends took me to a suburbs show at 1st Ave the week my father died in 1983 and it really was a wonderful way to pull me out of a grief filled week....thank you Bruce and band mates.

The Suburbs changed my world. I am in my early 40's now, but when I was in high school, my sister would play Suburbs tapes whenever we were together. I was a metal hair band fan and I would always tell her to turn that crap off!!!! Well, after some time went by, I woke up one morning and all I wanted to hear was Suburbs music. This has continued on until this very day. I loved their live shows and my only regret is that I wish I was older so I could of seen them live in the early days. Many wonderful memories. Bruce, you will be missed. My prayers and thoughts go to your family and band mates. I can only hope that there might be a reunion to celebrate you and your life. xxooxxooxx

My heart goes out to Bruce's family 1rst! My wish for you Bruce is to be Happy with the Lord! 2nd! My LOVE for the music of the Suburbs will never die 3rd! and as the band might change slightly,may the music of the SUBURBS live FOREVER!!! -THOR-

thank you with all of my heart and more it is because of you I am who I am today I recall the first time we spoke I was a child on the streets of uptown and we sat on the steps of the uptown library you said to me "kid if you want to make it stay clean" I did and have held true to that all of these years! thank you for watching over me and being the grand individual you always were! with all of my heart to you
sincerely Richard

My condolences go out to the family. Bruce and the Suburbs were the first group I really liked. I remember seeing them on the road every time they came to Madison, WI. What a great band, with Bruce a huge part of it. I recall seeing them at the old Cooper Theatre, among other venues in the Twin Cities, and it was at Headliners, if memory serves, in Madison where I saw some of the most spectacular performances of Bruce and the Burbs. Rest In Peace.

Goodbye Bruce my Friend from the begining and I am sure you will be missed forever by all...I am always thinking about the days at the Long Horn and the after parties.
Goodbye Bruce...you will always be on my mind...George

that video never shows beej.