Editing Allen Ravenstine

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Allen Ravenstine
| image           =
| caption         =
| birth_name      =
| birth_date      = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1950|5|9}}
| birth_place     = United States
| genre           = [[Experimental rock]], [[New wave music|new wave]], [[art rock]]
| occupation      = Musician, aviator
| married_to      =
| instrument      = [[Electronic Music Laboratories|EML synthesizers]], saxophone
| label           = [[Rough Trade Records|Rough Trade]], [[Fontana Records|Fontana]]
| years_active    = 1975&ndash;1991
| associated_acts = [[Pere Ubu]], [[Red Crayola]]
}}

'''Allen Ravenstine''' (born May 9, 1950) is an American [[keyboard player]], most recognized for his work in the [[experimental rock]] group [[Pere Ubu (group)|Pere Ubu]]. In 1991, he quit music to become a commercial airline pilot.

== History ==

=== Early years ===
Allen Ravenstine was born on May 9, 1950.<ref name="musicfrom80s">{{cite book |first=Michael J. |last=Ray |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mRDMpGVCkjoC |title=Alternative, Country, Hip-Hop, Rap, and More |publisher=Juvenile Nonfiction |date=December 15, 2012 |page=41 |isbn=9781615309108 |accessdate=February 19, 2013}}</ref> He had much exposure to music at a young age, his interest derived from his mother playing [[Sergei Rachmaninoff]] and other classical music and his father's interest in [[jazz]] and percussion records. He played the [[trombone]] in grade school but quickly lost interest. Ravenstine's first real experience as an artist came in 1971 after abandoning his college pursuits. He met visual artist Bob Bensick, who was experimenting with sending [[Distortion (music)|distortion]] into [[oscillators]] and out to a stereo system. Eventually, they discovered a way to attach lights and have them work in conjunction with the sounds being produced and decided to stage art shows. The act was short lived as Ravenstine moved out of the area and lost contact with Bensick. Soon after, Ravenstine purchased his first synthesizer, an [[Electronic Music Laboratories|ElectroComp EML 200]], and began associating with the [[Garage rock|garage band]] [[Rocket from the Tombs]] and recording their performances.<ref name="perfectsound1">{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Gross |url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/allenravenstine.html |title=Perfect Sound Forever (Part 1) |publisher=furious.com |date=October 2010 |accessdate=February 19, 2013}}</ref>

Ravenstine owned the apartment building called "The Plaza", which served as home and gathering place for the developing art and music scene in Cleveland in the early 70s.

=== Pere Ubu ===
Ravenstine first worked with [[Pere Ubu]] in 1975 after being asked to contribute to the band's recording of "30 Seconds Over Tokyo". However, he was discouraged by the thought of having to perform live shows and opted to discontinue his involvement with the band. After watching Pere Ubu perform at a few venues, Ravenstine changed his mind and returned as a full-time member of the band, replacing keyboardist Dave Taylor.<ref name="perfectsound2">{{cite web |first=Jason |last=Gross |url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/allenravenstine2.html |title=Perfect Sound Forever (Part 2) |publisher=furious.com |date=October 2010 |accessdate=February 19, 2013}}</ref> He continued his work with Pere Ubu until 1989 with the release of ''[[Cloudland (album)|Cloudland]]'', when he decided to leave the group and pursue his own interests.

===Later life===
Ravenstine obtained a pilot's license after Ubu's initial breakup, and after leaving the band permanently, worked as a flight instructor and charter pilot.  He also completed a novel which was never published.  Ravenstine largely avoided musical activity of any kind after leaving Pere Ubu, once making a guest appearance at a [[Red Krayola]] show in Los Angeles in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gross|first=Jason|title=Allen Ravenstine Interview|url=http://www.furious.com/perfect/allenravenstine.html|work=Perfect Sound Forever|publisher=PSF|accessdate=March 12, 2013}}</ref> In 2012, an invitation to contribute to ''I Dream of Wires: The Modular Synthesizer Documentary'' led to the recording of an impromptu duo performance on the EML-101 and 200 synthesizers, with current Ubu synthesist Robert Wheeler.  Culled from this were a pair of albums and singles, entitled ''City Desk/Farm Report'', which were self-released in 2013. On June 29, 2018, he released a solo album entitled ''Waiting for the Bomb'' on [[Recommended Records]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.clevescene.com/scene-and-heard/archives/2018/06/25/pere-ubu-co-founder-allen-ravenstine-to-release-new-studio-album |title=Pere Ubu Co-Founder Allen Ravenstine to Release New Studio Album |last=Niesel |first=Jeff |date=June 25, 2018 |website=Cleveland Scene |language=en |access-date=July 20, 2018}}</ref>

== Influence ==
In reviewing ''[[Dub Housing]]'', critic John Dougan writes, "Ravenstine, who may be one of the all-time great synth players colors the sound with ominous whooshes of distortions, blips, and blurbs that sound like a sped-up [[Pong]] game."<ref name="allmusicdub">{{cite web |first=John |last=Dougan |url={{Allmusic|class=album|id=r15032|pure_url=yes}}|title=Dub Housing |publisher=Allmusic |date= |accessdate=February 19, 2013}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Pere Ubu}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ravenstine, Allen}}
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:American new wave musicians]]
[[Category:American rock keyboardists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Protopunk musicians]]
[[Category:Pere Ubu members]]
[[Category:Commercial aviators]]
[[Category:Red Krayola members]]
[[Category:20th-century American keyboardists]]