Joey Allen

Who is Joey Allen?

Joey Allen is best known as the lead guitarist from the American glam metal band Warrant.

Allen was born as Joseph Alan Cagle on June 23, 1964 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but grew up in Irvine, California. His father is a retired electronics executive, while his mother worked for the Irvine Unified School District. He has two older sisters.

Allen played in approximately 20 bands before joining Warrant. He endorses G&L guitars, and according to an interview with them, his influences include guitarists Gary Moore, Eddie Van Halen, and Randy Rhoads. In this same interview, his bandmate and co-guitarist from Warrant Erik Turner states that "Joey is more of a technical player than me. I never really took a lot of lessons or studied. I just learned by jamming with different people, picking up stuff off records, or watching people play live. Joey is a true lead guitarist, and I’m a rhythm guitarist at heart who plays a little bit of lead."

Allen met guitarist Erik Turner in 1979 and they formed the band Knightmare II. Allen left the band to attend trade school and was awarded an associate’s degree in electronic engineering in 1985. In the meantime, Turner had formed Warrant. Allen joined the band in March 1987.