Southampton drummer Curtis Allen: Family tribute to his heart of gold

But instead of marking his 30th birthday, they laid their beloved son and brother to rest at his funeral.

The drummer was a key part of Southampton's music scene and those who knew him said his death on August 21 has left a “giant, gaping hole” in the community.

His family paid tribute to the 29-year-old after the ceremony at Wessex Vale Crematorium in Hedge End.

His mother, Carol Allen, 60 said: “He was the kindest, funniest boy. He was still my boy and my baby.

“He was genuinely kind and loving; every mother says that, but he really was. He was so helpful.”

She said her son’s passion for drumming and music will be something she will forever remember about him.

She said: “Music was his passion and love. He just loved his music. When he was drumming, he was happy.

“He was born drumming; he would sit at the dinner table and would just be tapping away.”

She also said she was “very grateful” for all the outpouring of support to the family in the wake of his death.

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She said: “It means the world that all of these people came, I have no words for what I have seen on Facebook. He would have loved this.”

For his 30th birthday party, Carol said they were going to surprise Curtis with a Toy Story theme, as it was one of his favourite childhood films.

According to her, one of his best memories was receiving Toy Story-themed gifts when he was eight.

So while the party was not to be, his family incorporated Buzz, Woody and Jessie into his funeral flowers.

Curtis, of Lennox Close, died at Southampton General Hospital days after being found at a footbridge over Tanner’s Brook on the evening of August 18.

Speaking after his funeral, Curtis' older sister Sherri Allen said that everyone who met her brother could see how kind he was.

Holding back her tears, she said: “He was caring; he had a heart of gold.

"He would give you the shirt off his back and he would always look after you.

"He was a pure, gentle soul. And people knew that about him.

“It means so much that everyone has come here today.

"He was so loved, and he knew that. He would be smiling today.”

Meanwhile, Jack Sims said it was an honour to call him his friend.

In a tribute he wrote for the paper, he said: "It’s always incredibly difficult to find a suitable starting place when it comes to writing a tribute.

"I refuse to use the word obituary; that word feels so sudden, like the end of the story in the most abrupt way.

"I personally believe that a person's story doesn’t end when they leave this life, that their influence, their guidance is felt far beyond, from this world to the next. 

"Our city has been privileged to have some incredibly talented musicians call Southampton home, none more so than Curtis Max Allen. His death has left a giant, gaping hole in our city’s community.

"He was a son; a sibling; an uncle who deeply loved his family. He was a bandmate and a friend. It was an honour to be his and to call him my friend.

“My first interaction with the “lovely drummer boy” was way back in 2013, at my local watering hole formally known as The Dungeon nightclub in Bevois Valley.

“We clicked virtually straight away. We had a shared appreciation of bands we grew up listening to and the realisation that Curtis, without realising, had actually become a fashionista.

“On paper, we were polar opposites: me with my long blonde hair, flannel shirt, black jeans and a beat-up pair of sneakers; Curtis looking sharper than a razor blade, slicked back hair, black leather jacket, cigarette behind his ear.

“I say polar opposites, but to Curtis none of that mattered. It’s one of the things I truly admired about him: wherever he was, whichever table he was sat at, within five minutes of being in his company he was your best mate, he was completely invested in the individual regardless of background, race, or creed.

“That was the kind of person he was, compassionate always; and one of the nicest people I ever met.

“As a musician, what he could do behind a drum kit was nothing short of magical. Our great city has been privileged to see some immensely talented musicians grace our live music venues and call Southampton home.

“But in my opinion, Curtis Allen was the finest drummer this city has ever seen. He could play anything he put his ear to, from punk to ska, to rockabilly, to samba; there was no end to what he could play.

“In later years, we all grow up, we move away, and contact becomes limited but friendship will always remain.

“It had been a few years since I moved to pastures new and saw Curt, but the one constant joy I would always get when opening my social media would be to see what drum pattern he could come up with next, to see which band he was playing with next.

"To watch him lose himself in the music he was playing always brought a smile to my face.

“What saddens me the most is that we will never get to see that again: to see that enjoyment, to see what happens next, to see which near-impossible drum fills he could come up with next.

“Curtis Allen’s journey in this life ended on 21st August 2023, when he was 29 years old.

"He is survived by his parents Carol and Ron, sister Sherri and a countless number of bandmates and friends.

“Though his journey may have ended, his influence, his kindness, his spirit lives on through those who knew him and those that may find themselves reading this.

“So long my friend.”

The preliminary cause of Curtis' death has been given as a brain injury.

A full inquest is scheduled for August 20 next year.