Alan Gowen (19 August 1947-17 May 1981) was a fusion/progressive rock keyboardist, best known for his work in Gilgamesh and National Health.

Gowen joined Assagai in 1971 before going on to found Sunship in 1972 with Jamie Muir (drums, also from Assagai) and Laurie Baker (bass). The band also includes Lyn Dobson on saxophone and Allan Holdsworth on guitar.

He formed Gilgamesh in 1973 and starts a collaboration with Hatfield and the North, eventually founding National Health with Hatfield and the North's Dave Stewart in 1975. Gowen left National Health in 1977.

In 1978, Gowen formed Soft Heap with Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, and Pip Pyle. With Dave Sheen replacing Pyle, the band toured as Soft Head in the summer of 1978. He also recorded a second Gilgamesh album that year.

Gowen re-joined National Health in 1979-1980 and also continued with Soft Heap in this period. Before a Word is Said (1981), recorded with Richard Sinclair (bass, briefly in Gilgamesh), Phil Miller (guitar, from National Health) and Trevor Tomkins (drums, from Gilgamesh), was the last album Gowen recorded before his death from leukaemia in 1981.

Sources

• Calyx on Alan Gowen