Country singer dies, aged 69

Dave Allen Sweeney

LOCAL country singer Dave Allen Sweeney has died after a short illness. He was 69.

Known professionally as Dave Allen, he was a well-known face on Oldham’s singing circuit.

His niece, Helen Curran, of Fitton Hill, said he had a huge repertoire of pieces besides country music, and rarely sang the same song twice.

He came to live in Oldham from his birthplace, Glasgow, when he was in his early 20s to follow his passion of singing for a living.

He lived in Primrose Bank for most of his life, but moved to Walkers Road, Hollins, for a short while before he died from lung cancer.

Singing and playing the guitar and harmonica saw Mr Sweeney, who never married, on the stage at the old Wembley Arena, and he entertained American troops at Warrington Barracks in the 1960s.

In Oldham, he played in many venues including Eldon Street Country and Western Club, Primrose View and the now demolished Market Hotel and The Waterloo.

His niece said: “He was a very kind and popular man, and will be sadly missed by all his family and friends.”

Mr Sweeney died on Tuesday, and his funeral will take place next Wednesday at Holy Rosary Church, at 10.15am, followed by interment at Oldham Crematorium.