Legendary Manchester DJ Stu Allan dies, aged 60

Manchester DJ, radio host, and music producer Stu Allan has died aged 60, following a year-long fight with cancer.

News of the legendary DJ’s passing was confirmed via his Facebook page on Thursday (22nd September). 

“It is with much sadness that we write this message to let you know that Stu has passed away today,” reads the statement. “As you know, he has been ill for a while now, and has been battling cancer for almost a year. While we’re so sad he is no longer with us, we are relieved he is finally at peace, after his illness.”

Originally from Anglesey, Wales, Allan relocated to Manchester early in his career and soon became a mainstay on the Manchester rave scene. During the ’80s and ’90s he hosted shows on Manchester’s Piccadilly Radio and Key 103, and was one of the first DJs to play Chicago house on UK radio. He was also a member of Eurodance group Clock, who disbanded in 1999. He was ranked as the world’s No. 3 by DJ Mag in 1993.

The family will be holding a memorial event for Allan “sometime soon… where we can all celebrate his amazing life,” they added. “But for now Alison, Paul, Gary and Stu’s family need time to come to terms with their loss.”

“Stu Allan was very an important voice in Manchester’s history of electronic music broadcasting,” wrote 808 Stage, who worked alongside Allan in the ‘90s, via Facebook. “His local radio shows were a gateway for me and other 808 State members to hear the sound of Chicago and Detroit in the late 1980s. Stu was the guy we took our test pressings to first. It was Stu that came up with the Guy Called Gerald moniker by introducing him as such.”

Carl Cox, Anton Powers, and more artists from the dance music community have paid their respects online. See their tributes and others below.