His Sunday night shows on Piccadilly Radio introduced a generation of Mancs to house music, hip hop and rave. He was one of the first DJs to play the likes of A Guy Called Gerald, 808 State and Sub Sub.
And he was a pop star in his own right, clocking up 13 top 40 hits as part of 90s eurodance act Clock. Without the visionary influence of Stu Allan, who died this week aged 60 after receiving treatment for cancer, it's fair to say the feted Manchester music scene of the late 80s and 90s would have looked a lot different.
Allan grew up on Anglesey in North Wales but moved to Manchester in March 1982 after being made redundant from his job as an engineering apprentice. He started DJing that same year after being inspired by hearing DJ Grandmaster Flash on John Peel's Radio 1 show.
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He initially lived in West Didsbury, where he worked as a barman in the Midland pub, later DJing in a small club in the back room. He also became a regular at Greg Wilson's pioneering jazz-funk nights at Legend nightclub on Princess Street, later playing his own regular Saturday night set there.
By 1984 Allan's mix tapes were starting to be played by Piccadilly Radio DJs such as Timmy Mallet and Chris Evans. Two years later he was offered a six week slot on the station, and its popularity helped him bag his own Sunday night show, where he became one of the first radio DJs in the UK to promote the emerging electro, hip hop and house music scenes.
He also presented a soul show called 'Souled Out' and a hip hop show called 'Buss This' while regularly featuring a 'House Hour', where he would play the latest house tracks coming out of Manchester and Chicago. Allan was also an occasional guest DJ at the Hacienda, while often playing hip hop sets, and other nightclubs across the UK and in Ibiza.
In the late 90s he became one of the biggest acts in the Hardcore scene, regularly playing at raves at Bowlers in Trafford Park and across the North. But despite his undeniable impact on UK dance music, Allan never quite got the wider recognition he deserved. But, after his death was announced on Thursday, DJs and fans from across the world paid tribute to his influence.
DJ legend Carl Cox said Allan was 'one of my heroes' and 'a shining light of the rave scene he helped build'. Doves, whose members Jimi Goodwin, and Andy and Jez Williams, were formerly Sub Sub, said Allan was a 'pioneer', adding: "We were all massive fans of his radio show, it was an education."
Former Hacienda DJ Jon DaSilva said Allan was a 'Manchester legend who ushered in a revolution in dance music'. DJ Dave Pearce said Allan was 'dedicated champion of new music and great company to hang out with', while Luke Una said he 'helped shape the house sound of Manchester and beyond'.
Fans also told of the impact Allan had on their lives. Eddy Rhead from Manchester Modernist Society said Allan was 'probably the most over-looked person in the story of House music in the UK', adding: "Let history show that Stu Allan was one of the first DJs to break House not only in Manchester but in the UK. Thank you Stu."
And even BBC newsreader Ros Allen, a former drum and bass DJ, paid tribute, tweeting: "When I was collecting cassettes at school, Stu Allan's were always at a premium. I've kept listening ever since.
"His love of dance music came through every mix he did & he's one of the reasons my living room remains piled high with vinyl. Thanks Stu."
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