Colin Allen's first public appearance on stage was whilst playing in a skiffle contest at a local cinema in Bournemouth. He later took drum lessons, and started playing in local jazz groups, both modern and traditional. In 1964 he started out as a pro musician by moving to London as a founder member of Zoot Money's Big Roll Band. As a member of the Big Roll Band he played with many legendary US. blues musicians such as Memphis Slim, John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson, and soul singer Solomon Burke.
After the Big Roll Band split up, he worked with Geogie Fame for a short period before joining John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, with whom he stayed for nine months. During that time he played on the acclaimed album,"Blues from Laurel Canyon", then toured extensively in Europe and also did two long tours in the US. as part of the "British Blues Invasion".
After leaving Mayall he became a founder member of Stone the Crows, a very popular band 70's band, which worked all over Europe and toured the US. twice, where on several occasions they were the opening act on the Joe Cocker extravaganza "Mad Dogs & Englishmen" tour. He then spent fifteen months with the classical-influenced Dutch band Focus, touring the US., Japan, Australia and New Zealand, as well as Europe. Then several months with Donovan, opening for Yes on their US. and European tour in 1976.
In 1979 he moved to Los Angeles and lived there for six years, during which time he again played with John Mayall over a period of three years. He also played on Rod Stewart's platinum album "Foolish Behaviour", and in 1982 toured Europe as a member of Bob Dylan's band, together with old friends Mick Taylor and Faces/Stones pianist Ian McLagan. Before the formation of the BBQ, Colin had been playing various festivals with the British Allstar Blues Band.
Overall he has played on fifty plus albums and written the lyrics to over sixty songs that have been recorded by a variety of artistes such as Paul McCartney's Wings, Fleetwood Mac, Mick Taylor and the late Mick Ronson, to name a few.