Born Robert Allen in Basildon, Essex, he was a key member of the legendary Basildon set. He started off in 1977 playing guitar in The Vandals with Alison Moyet (Yazoo), then became a member of The Plan featuring Vince Clarke (Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure) on guitar. He and Vince were also in French Look with Martin Gore (Depeche Mode). In 1982, he recorded The Face of Dorian Gray, as Robert Marlow.

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