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{{short description|American guitarist (1952–1990)}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Use American English|date=October 2022}}
| Name = Allen Collins
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
| Img = Allen Collins.jpg
{{Infobox musical artist
| Img_capt =
| Img_size = | name = Allen Collins
| Landscape = | image = Allen Collins.jpg
| Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist | caption =
| image_size =
| Birth_name = Larkin Allen Collins, Jr.
| Alias = | birth_name = Larkin Allen Collins Jr.
| alias =
| Born = {{birth date|1952|07|19}}<br>], ], ]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1952|07|19}}
| Died = {{death date and age|1990|1|23|1952|7|19}}<br>], ], ]
| Instrument = ] | birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1990|01|23|1952|07|19}}
| Genre = ]
| death_place = Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
| Occupation = ], ]
| genre = {{hlist|]|]|]|]<ref name="AMG" >{{AllMusic |class=artist |id=mn0000170369 |tab=biography |label=Lynyrd Skynyrd: Biography |last=Erlewine |first=Stephen Thomas |access-date=July 19, 2020}}</ref>}}
| Years_active = 1964 – 1990
| years_active = 1964–1986
| Label =
| occupation = Guitarist
| Associated_acts = ]<br>] <br>]
| past_member_of = {{flatlist|
| URL =
* ]
| Notable_instruments = ]<br>] <br> ]
* ]
* ]
}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Kathy Johns|1970|1980|reason=died}}
| website =
}} }}
'''Larkin Allen Collins Jr.'''<ref>http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=4676</ref><ref>Brant 2002, pg. 18</ref><ref>Odom 2002, pg. 34</ref>(July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990) was one of the founding members and lead guitarists of ] band ]. Allen Collins co-wrote twenty-four of the band's songs with late frontman ].


'''Larkin Allen Collins Jr.'''<ref>Brant 2002, p. 18</ref><ref>Odom 2002, p. 34</ref> (July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990) was an American guitarist, and one of the founding members of the ] band ]. He co-wrote many of the band's songs with frontman and original lead singer ].
== Musical career ==


== Biography ==
Allen Collins joined Skynyrd just two weeks after ] and ], along with ] and ]. So came the birth of ] in the summer of 1964. Allen Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant co-wrote many of the biggest Skynyrd hits, including "]", "]", and "]". The band received national success beginning in 1973 while opening for ] on their ] tour. The Skynyrd plane crashed into a forest in ] killing three band members, including Van Zant. Collins was seriously injured in the crash, suffering three broken vertebrae in his neck and severe damage to his left arm. While amputation was recommended, Collins' father refused and Allen eventually recovered and went forth to play in two more bands.


=== Early life ===
During the early 1980s, Collins continued to perform on stage in ] which enjoyed modest success, releasing two albums (Here, There & Back, This Is The Way), and charting a few singles (notably "Don't Misunderstand Me"). In 1980, Collins' wife Kathy suddenly died. The pressures of the road and the grief over th loss of his beloved wife led to the dissolution of the Rossington Collins Band in 1982.
Collins was born in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0000005735 |title=Allen Collins Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More |publisher=]}}</ref> He started playing guitar at 12 years of age, with a few lessons from his stepmother, Leila Collins, a country-and-western guitarist, and received his first guitar and amplifier from his mother. Inspired by the Beatles on '']'' in 1964, he formed his first group, The Mods, with friends Larry Steele (bass), Donnie Ulsh (guitar), and James Rice (drums).<ref>{{cite book |page=48 |title=Guitar Greats of Jacksonville |first=Michael Ray |last=FitzGerald |date=2023 |chapter=The Biggest Thing Since the Ventures |publisher=The History Press|location=Charleston, SC| isbn=978-1467153416}}</ref> Collins attended ].<ref>{{cite web |title=History Lessons |url=http://www.lynyrdskynyrdhistory.com/less2.html |website=The Official Lynyrd Skynyrd History Website |publisher=Judy VanZant Jenness |access-date=November 3, 2017}}</ref>


In 1970, Collins married Kathy Johns.<!--She took the surname Collins after her marriage, thus, per https://en.wikipedia.org/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Biography#People_with_the_same_surname, is referred to by name as "Kathy" to distinguish her from "Allen".--> All of his bandmates were in his wedding party, but Kathy worried that the band's long haired appearance would disturb her parents. To solve this problem, she required all the band members to keep their hair under wigs at the wedding ceremony. The wedding reception was one of the first public performances of "]" complete with the trademark extended guitar jam at the end. Collins's family grew with the birth of his daughter Amie, followed quickly by Allison. Collins was fond of cars, and had an extensive car collection, one of his favorites being a 1932 ] coupe nicknamed "Dixie Blue".
In 1983, Allen Collins began a new musical venture -- Allen Collins Band -- which released one album, "Here, There & Back" in 1983. The six band members were Skynyrd keyboardist Billy Powell and Bassist Leon Wilkeson, along with lead singer Jimmy Dougherty, drummer Derek Hess, and guitarists Barry Lee Harwood and Randall Hall. During this time, the musical landscape was changing dramatically, and MCA did little to promote Allen Collins Band. Consequently, Here, There & Back is the only album that the band ever produced, as they were dropped from the label.


== Accident and Band Reunion == === Career with Lynyrd Skynyrd ===
Collins joined Skynyrd in Jacksonville, Florida, just two weeks after its formation by ] and ], along with ] and ]. Knowing that Collins played guitar and owned his own equipment, the band decided to approach him about joining them. Van Zant and Burns both had a reputation for trouble, and Collins fled on his bicycle and hid up a tree when he saw them pull up in his driveway. They soon convinced him that they were not there to beat him up and he agreed to join the band, then known as "The One Percent".<ref>''If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd'', Passion Pictures, Directed by Stephen Kijak, 2018</ref>
In 1986, Allen Collins was involved in a motor vehicle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down and limited the use of his upper body. Allen Collins never played guitar on stage again.


Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant co-wrote many of the biggest Skynyrd hits, including "Free Bird", "]", and "]". The band received national success beginning in 1973 while opening for ] on their '']'' tour.
All remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited to perform in 1987, but due to his injury Collins could not perform with them. He was, however, an integral part of the Tribute Tour, acting as musical director. Because of Collins' accident, the band donated a sizable amount of concert proceeds from the 1987-88 tour to the ], which is involved in treatment of paralysis.
=ROLL FOR ROCK=
In 1987, Allen Collins met Bill Massey, Jr. The two young men both suffered spinal cord injuries in the prime of their lives, and they both wanted to do something big in memory of Ronnie Van Zant to raise awareness about physical challenges. Together, they founded ROLL FOR ROCK Wheelchair Events and Benefit Concerts. The mission of ROLL FOR ROCK is to use music to educate people about life with physical challenges, and to provide a platform for truly helping paraplegics and those living with other disabilities. ROLL FOR ROCK hosts benefit concerts to raise proceeds to benefit wheelchair sports events. Through these rewarding wheelchair games, participants gain peace, greater acceptance from society, and confidence as they proudly showcase their athletic prowess.


], Allen Collins, ], ], ], ] and ]]]
Today, ROLL FOR ROCK continues to raise awareness, provide opportunities and particpate in medical research that is seeking a cure for spinal cord injury. ROLL FOR ROCK released the 25th anniversary edition of "HERE, THERE & BACK" in 2008. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will benefit Allen Collins' children, and enable ROLL FOR ROCK to continue with the mission. Visit www.rollforrock.com and www.allencollins.com for more information.


On October 20, 1977, an airplane carrying the band ], killing three band members, including Van Zant. Collins was seriously injured in the crash, suffering two broken vertebrae in his neck and severe damage to his right arm. Amputation was recommended but Collins' father refused, and he eventually recovered.
== Death ==

Allen Collins died January 23, 1990 from chronic ] a complication of the paralysis. He is buried beside his wife in ].
=== Later life and death ===

During the early 1980s Collins continued to perform onstage in the ], which enjoyed modest success, releasing two albums (''Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere'' and ''This Is the Way''), and charting a few singles (notably "Don't Misunderstand Me").

In 1980, during the first days of the band's debut concert tour, Kathy died suddenly of a ] during the miscarriage of their third child. This forced the tour's cancellation. The Rossington Collins Band disbanded in 1982. Collins continued to pursue music, starting the ], which released one album, ''Here, There & Back'' in 1983. The six members included two Skynyrd bandmates – keyboardist ] and bassist ] – along with lead singer Jimmy Dougherty, drummer Derek Hess, and guitarists Barry Lee Harwood and Randall Hall. In 1984, Collins tried to resurrect the band, hiring Jacksonville guitarist Mike Owings and bassist Andy Ward King. Later members included guitarist-vocalist Michael Ray FitzGerald and bassist "Filthy Phil" Price.

On January 29, 1986,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/60be797135c45eefa4c334ecc2679ca7|title=Woman Killed, Rock Musician Injured In One-Car Accident|publisher=Associated Press|date=January 30, 1986|access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> Collins was driving a new black ] in Jacksonville on Plummer Grant Road when he lost control of the car just south of Old St. Augustine Road and crashed. The crash claimed the life of his girlfriend, Debra Jean Watts, and paralyzed the guitarist from the waist down, with limited use of his arms and hands. Collins pleaded ] to ] as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. Due to his injuries, he would never play guitar on stage again.

Collins' last performance with Lynyrd Skynyrd was at the band's first reunion after ] at the 1979 Volunteer Jam V in Nashville, Tennessee. All remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited officially in 1987, but Collins served only as musical director, due to his ].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBwqtmdxqzI|title=Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird (1987)|date=January 23, 2013 |via=www.youtube.com}}</ref> As part of his plea bargain for the 1986 accident, Collins addressed fans at every Skynyrd concert with an explanation of why he could not perform, citing the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as drugs and alcohol.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Rob |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Rock 'n' Roll tragedies, from "Layla" to "Free Bird," and beyond. |url=https://blog.timesunion.com/hoffmanfiles/rock-n-roll-tragedies-from-layla-to-free-bird-and-beyond/44836/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920123504/https://blog.timesunion.com/hoffmanfiles/rock-n-roll-tragedies-from-layla-to-free-bird-and-beyond/44836/ |archive-date=September 20, 2018}}</ref> Also, because of Collins' crash, the band donated a sizable amount of concert proceeds from the 1987–88 tour to the ], which is involved in treatment of paralysis.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} Collins founded Roll For Rock Wheelchair Events and Benefit Concerts in 1988 to raise awareness and to provide opportunities for those living with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.

Collins died on January 23, 1990, from chronic ], a complication of the paralysis. He is buried beside his wife in Jacksonville, Florida.


== Instruments == == Instruments ==
{{unreferenced section|date=March 2023}}
For most of Skynyrd's tenure, Collins used a ] guitar fitted with a chrome, dog-eared P-90 pickup in the bridge position and a Gibson "teaspoon" nickel vibrato arm. In 1976 he switched to a natural-finished korina ] and would use that all the way through his tenure with the Allen Collins Band. Starting in late 1977, he would also use a ] occasionally. And on "Gimme Back My Bullets", "Sweet Home Alabama", and many other songs, he used a Sunburst ] after ] left. Collins has been filmed playing an all-black, rosewood neck Stratocaster with white single-coil pickups and white control knobs.
In the early days of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins used a black ]. This guitar was stolen, along with Gary Rossington's white ], when the band's van was broken into after a gig. For most of his tenure in Skynyrd, Collins used a ] fitted with a chrome-covered, "dog-eared" ] pickup in the bridge position and a Gibson "teaspoon" nickel vibrato arm. In 1976 he switched to a natural-finished ] 1958 ] that he had bought for about $3,000, and used that guitar throughout his tenure with the Allen Collins Band.


In late 1977 Collins began occasionally playing a Gibson Les Paul Special, with a double cutaway, P-90s, a sunburst finish, and modded with a Lyre Tremolo. He continued to use this guitar in the Rossington Collins Band as well. On "]", "]", and "]" Collins used a Sunburst ] after ] had left. Collins was also filmed playing an all-black ] with a ] fingerboard, white ] and white control knobs.
==Notes==
{{reflist|2}}


==References== == Discography ==
* Brant, Marley. ''Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story''. Billboard Books; New York; 2002. ISBN 0-8230-8321-7
* Odom, Gene with Frank Dorman. ''Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock''. Broadway Books; New York; 2002. ISBN 0-7679-1026-5.


;With Lynyrd Skynyrd
==External links==
* '']'' (1973)
*{{findagrave|4676}}
* '']'' (1974)
* '']'' (1975)
* '']'' (1976)
* '']'' (1976)
* '']'' (1977)

;With Rossington Collins Band
* '']'' (1980)
* '']'' (1981)

;With Allen Collins Band
* ''Here, There & Back'' (1983)

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* Brant, Marley. ''Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story''. Billboard Books; New York; 2002. {{ISBN|0-8230-8321-7}}
* Odom, Gene with Frank Dorman. ''Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock''. Broadway Books; New York; 2002. {{ISBN|0-7679-1026-5}}.

== External links ==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*{{allMusic}}
*{{Find a Grave|4676|access-date=September 14, 2010}}


{{Lynyrd Skynyrd}} {{Lynyrd Skynyrd}}
{{2006 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}


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Latest revision as of 22:28, 19 December 2024

American guitarist (1952–1990)

Allen Collins
Background information
Birth nameLarkin Allen Collins Jr.
Born(1952-07-19)July 19, 1952
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
DiedJanuary 23, 1990(1990-01-23) (aged 37)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Genres
OccupationGuitarist
Years active1964–1986
Formerly of
Spouse Kathy Johns ​ ​(m. 1970; died 1980)​
Musical artist

Larkin Allen Collins Jr. (July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990) was an American guitarist, and one of the founding members of the Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd. He co-wrote many of the band's songs with frontman and original lead singer Ronnie Van Zant.

Biography

Early life

Collins was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He started playing guitar at 12 years of age, with a few lessons from his stepmother, Leila Collins, a country-and-western guitarist, and received his first guitar and amplifier from his mother. Inspired by the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964, he formed his first group, The Mods, with friends Larry Steele (bass), Donnie Ulsh (guitar), and James Rice (drums). Collins attended Nathan B. Forrest High School.

In 1970, Collins married Kathy Johns. All of his bandmates were in his wedding party, but Kathy worried that the band's long haired appearance would disturb her parents. To solve this problem, she required all the band members to keep their hair under wigs at the wedding ceremony. The wedding reception was one of the first public performances of "Free Bird" complete with the trademark extended guitar jam at the end. Collins's family grew with the birth of his daughter Amie, followed quickly by Allison. Collins was fond of cars, and had an extensive car collection, one of his favorites being a 1932 Plymouth coupe nicknamed "Dixie Blue".

Career with Lynyrd Skynyrd

Collins joined Skynyrd in Jacksonville, Florida, just two weeks after its formation by Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington, along with Bob Burns and Larry Junstrom. Knowing that Collins played guitar and owned his own equipment, the band decided to approach him about joining them. Van Zant and Burns both had a reputation for trouble, and Collins fled on his bicycle and hid up a tree when he saw them pull up in his driveway. They soon convinced him that they were not there to beat him up and he agreed to join the band, then known as "The One Percent".

Collins and lead singer Ronnie Van Zant co-wrote many of the biggest Skynyrd hits, including "Free Bird", "Gimme Three Steps", and "That Smell". The band received national success beginning in 1973 while opening for the Who on their Quadrophenia tour.

Collins with Lynyrd Skynyrd in 1977 (from left to right): Leon Wilkeson, Allen Collins, Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Steve Gaines, Artimus Pyle and Billy Powell

On October 20, 1977, an airplane carrying the band crashed into a forest in Mississippi, killing three band members, including Van Zant. Collins was seriously injured in the crash, suffering two broken vertebrae in his neck and severe damage to his right arm. Amputation was recommended but Collins' father refused, and he eventually recovered.

Later life and death

During the early 1980s Collins continued to perform onstage in the Rossington Collins Band, which enjoyed modest success, releasing two albums (Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere and This Is the Way), and charting a few singles (notably "Don't Misunderstand Me").

In 1980, during the first days of the band's debut concert tour, Kathy died suddenly of a hemorrhage during the miscarriage of their third child. This forced the tour's cancellation. The Rossington Collins Band disbanded in 1982. Collins continued to pursue music, starting the Allen Collins Band, which released one album, Here, There & Back in 1983. The six members included two Skynyrd bandmates – keyboardist Billy Powell and bassist Leon Wilkeson – along with lead singer Jimmy Dougherty, drummer Derek Hess, and guitarists Barry Lee Harwood and Randall Hall. In 1984, Collins tried to resurrect the band, hiring Jacksonville guitarist Mike Owings and bassist Andy Ward King. Later members included guitarist-vocalist Michael Ray FitzGerald and bassist "Filthy Phil" Price.

On January 29, 1986, Collins was driving a new black Ford Thunderbird in Jacksonville on Plummer Grant Road when he lost control of the car just south of Old St. Augustine Road and crashed. The crash claimed the life of his girlfriend, Debra Jean Watts, and paralyzed the guitarist from the waist down, with limited use of his arms and hands. Collins pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. Due to his injuries, he would never play guitar on stage again.

Collins' last performance with Lynyrd Skynyrd was at the band's first reunion after the plane crash at the 1979 Volunteer Jam V in Nashville, Tennessee. All remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited officially in 1987, but Collins served only as musical director, due to his paralysis. As part of his plea bargain for the 1986 accident, Collins addressed fans at every Skynyrd concert with an explanation of why he could not perform, citing the dangers of drinking and driving, as well as drugs and alcohol. Also, because of Collins' crash, the band donated a sizable amount of concert proceeds from the 1987–88 tour to the Miami Project, which is involved in treatment of paralysis. Collins founded Roll For Rock Wheelchair Events and Benefit Concerts in 1988 to raise awareness and to provide opportunities for those living with spinal cord injuries and other physical disabilities.

Collins died on January 23, 1990, from chronic pneumonia, a complication of the paralysis. He is buried beside his wife in Jacksonville, Florida.

Instruments

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In the early days of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Collins used a black Gibson Flying V. This guitar was stolen, along with Gary Rossington's white Gibson SG, when the band's van was broken into after a gig. For most of his tenure in Skynyrd, Collins used a Gibson Firebird fitted with a chrome-covered, "dog-eared" P-90 pickup in the bridge position and a Gibson "teaspoon" nickel vibrato arm. In 1976 he switched to a natural-finished korina 1958 Gibson Explorer that he had bought for about $3,000, and used that guitar throughout his tenure with the Allen Collins Band.

In late 1977 Collins began occasionally playing a Gibson Les Paul Special, with a double cutaway, P-90s, a sunburst finish, and modded with a Lyre Tremolo. He continued to use this guitar in the Rossington Collins Band as well. On "Gimme Back My Bullets", "Sweet Home Alabama", and "Every Mother's Son" Collins used a Sunburst Fender Stratocaster after Ed King had left. Collins was also filmed playing an all-black Stratocaster with a rosewood fingerboard, white pickups and white control knobs.

Discography

With Lynyrd Skynyrd
With Rossington Collins Band
With Allen Collins Band
  • Here, There & Back (1983)

References

  1. Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Biography at AllMusic. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  2. Brant 2002, p. 18
  3. Odom 2002, p. 34
  4. "Allen Collins Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More". AllMusic.
  5. FitzGerald, Michael Ray (2023). "The Biggest Thing Since the Ventures". Guitar Greats of Jacksonville. Charleston, SC: The History Press. p. 48. ISBN 978-1467153416.
  6. "History Lessons". The Official Lynyrd Skynyrd History Website. Judy VanZant Jenness. Retrieved November 3, 2017.
  7. If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd, Passion Pictures, Directed by Stephen Kijak, 2018
  8. "Woman Killed, Rock Musician Injured In One-Car Accident". Associated Press. January 30, 1986. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  9. "Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird (1987)". January 23, 2013 – via www.youtube.com.
  10. Hoffman, Rob (September 20, 2018). "Rock 'n' Roll tragedies, from "Layla" to "Free Bird," and beyond". Archived from the original on September 20, 2018.

Further reading

  • Brant, Marley. Freebirds: The Lynyrd Skynyrd Story. Billboard Books; New York; 2002. ISBN 0-8230-8321-7
  • Odom, Gene with Frank Dorman. Lynyrd Skynyrd: Remembering the Free Birds of Southern Rock. Broadway Books; New York; 2002. ISBN 0-7679-1026-5.

External links

Lynyrd Skynyrd
Studio albums
Live albums
Compilations
Video
Singles
Other songs
Tours
Spin-off bands
Related articles
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Class of 2006
Performers
Lifetime achievement
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