Biography.................

ROGER ALLEN has played the Guitar professionally for the last forty years, starting at four years old on a Ukulele given to him by his family.

Since those early days he has played in a diverse number of situations and countries, Canada, Australia, Holland, France and the USA.

On A trip to New York Roger paid a visit to the Iridium Jazz club to meet his idol Les Paul  (right) a moment to be savoured.  

For many years he had his own business, making industrial films and radio documentaries in England and Australia. He is an accomplished sound recording engineer, stills and  film cameraman, but music has always won in the end.

Since 1995, when he returned from Australia, Roger has concentrated on generating the Roger Allen Sound

At home today with digital multi-tracking equipment

With The Guv'nor Les Paul

The Full Biography Part one

I have played the Guitar professionally for the last fifty years, starting at four years old on a Ukulele given to me by my family. Since those early days I have played in a diverse number of situations and countries, Canada , Australia , Holland , France and the USA .

I have worked with my own trio and quartet, but my love of recording and the influence of Les Paul finally encouraged me to make my own backing tracks. It also made life easier when moving around the world and to different venues.

For many years I had my own business, making industrial films and radio documentaries in England and Australia . I am an accomplished sound recording engineer, stills and film cameraman.

Since 1995, when I returned to the UK after 10 years in Norfolk Island and Australia , I have concentrated on generating the Roger Allen Sound

The Biography Part two: Major influences

I was born just in time to realize Adolph Hitler was out to get me. I am not sure if I would have played music had it not been for the blitz of London where I lived with my mother in Earlsfield London. I remember going to school only to find some idiot had bombed it and it was no longer there. I spent much of my early years penned up in air raid shelters. My father was in the army and my aunt and uncle lived in the upstairs flat to me. Uncle Ben (Evans) was a clever and imaginative bloke but declared unfit for war service so worked in research on things like radar television and some of the first plastics. He was also a very keen Muso, and had a great voice: he was Welsh after all.

Ben played the Ukulele Banjo rather well, and during long sessions underground avoiding Mr. Hitler's mob he taught me how to play. It was funnily enough one of the best things that happened to me, although Adolph tried to rub us out on several occasions.

Ben even in those days was experimenting with winding pick-ups for Guitars much to my fascination, and much to my enjoyment instructed me in basic electronics. He built several early T V receivers after the war.

The Biography: Fate takes a hand

I was having a coffee at Manston Air station, then occupied by the USAF. Suddenly a recording of Les Paul came on the Jukebox. I was astounded at the sounds this great innovator produced; I was "hooked" and spent the rest of my life a devotee. Even today I am still "blown away" by his skill and imagination. This was mind blowing and I gleaned as much information I could from his background.

The Biography: To my critics

I never try to copy Les: he is an item in his own right. I could never do him justice, however his influence and his creative mind have been admired by me for a life time and those thought processes have inspired me greatly. I find it sad that so many guitarists get bogged down with trying to sound like someone else.

Today, people like me have so much to play with: digital recording, sequencers, and synths. Les had to make do with inspiration, a soldering iron, and an incredible "ear" plus a technique that few can match. All this resulted in my great love of the Guitar, recording and experimenting to the present day. Now I am in mature years and still plucking. I laugh a lot, enjoy my music: my partner tells me I live in a studio with a bed in it!

The Biography: Some Compact Discs.

Recorded on my CD/s are some of the best "toons" around (in my opinion). Sorry if I swing them like crazy! That's my style: I am a jazzer at heart. If your feet don't tap to these then consult a doctor immediately - you're dead!

The Biography: Equipment used

In a lot of cases, depending on the sound I want, I just use a Bass Guitar and rhythm guitar. If in an industrious mood - a Yamaha QY 700 sequencer on which I produce the sounds of a full blown Orchestra or small Jazz Combo, also a Rowland Guitar synthesizer from which I can play the great sounds of the Saxophone, Vibraphone, Hammond Organ, Piano, Bass, Pan Pipes, Percussion and so on, from the guitar fingerboard. And of course four guitars, each of which has its own story. I don’t live in a flat with a studio – I live in a studio with a bed in it!

Roger records, arranges and expands his repertoire while on the road... He says "It's hard work keeping the boss happy"

looking smart (occasionally) caught between sets

Enjoying the Sea and cruising-If they Pay enough he will  sail the ship as well!!

The Ship- Roger- the quay- fresh air- a Guitar what a life!