Gene Allan was a composer and lyricist known for his contributions to popular music in the 1960s. One of his most notable achievements was co-writing the song "Mr. Lonely," famously recorded by Bobby Vinton. This song became a hit multiple times and was particularly popular in Japan, later being used as the theme for the radio program "Jet Stream." Allan was also involved in writing for the Archies, contributing to songs like "Sugar and Spice." He worked alongside notable songwriters such as Neil Sedaka, Neil Diamond, Carole King, and others under producer Don Kirshner's publishing house. Despite his association with pop hits, Allan also ventured into musical theater, co-writing the lyrics and music for "Billy," a Broadway musical based on Herman Melville's "Billy Budd," although it was not a commercial success.