Robert (Bob) Allen (The King Bees)
Robert (Bob) Allen was the drummer for The King Bees, the London R&B band that featured David Bowie—then still known as Davie Jones—in 1964.
His involvement places him at the absolute beginning of Bowie’s professional career, during the formative club-based R&B years that preceded any notion of stardom or artistic reinvention.
- Name: Robert (Bob) Allen
- Band: The King Bees
- Role: Drums
- With Bowie: 1964
- Era: British R&B apprenticeship
- Key release: “Liza Jane” (1964)
Where Bob Allen fits in Bowie’s timeline
Bob Allen belongs to the ground zero of Bowie’s story. In early 1964, Bowie was still finding his footing as a singer within the London rhythm & blues circuit, long before songwriting, personas, or theatrical concepts entered the picture.
The King Bees were Bowie’s first serious professional outlet, providing regular gigs and a first taste of recording.
The King Bees and the R&B scene
The King Bees were a straightforward R&B band, drawing heavily on American blues and soul influences. Their sound was designed for small clubs and dance floors rather than charts or experimentation.
As drummer, Bob Allen anchored the group with a solid, no-nonsense rhythmic foundation typical of early-1960s British R&B.
“Liza Jane” – Bowie’s first single
The King Bees recorded “Liza Jane” in 1964, released as Davie Jones with The King Bees. Although the single was not a commercial success, it marked Bowie’s first official appearance on vinyl.
Bob Allen’s drumming is part of this historical milestone, making him one of the musicians present at the literal starting line of Bowie’s recording career.
A brief but decisive chapter
Bowie’s time with The King Bees was short-lived. Almost immediately after the release of “Liza Jane”, he began searching for new bands and new directions, moving on to The Manish Boys and beyond.
This rapid turnover would become a defining feature of Bowie’s early years.
Historical importance
Robert (Bob) Allen does not feature in Bowie’s later mythology, but his role is foundational. Without The King Bees, there is no first single, no recording debut, and no clear starting point for Bowie’s documented career.
In that sense, Allen represents the moment before transformation—when Bowie was still learning the basic mechanics of being a working musician.