Rob Collins (musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rob Collins
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| Birth name | Robert James Collins |
| Born | 23 February 1963 Rowley Regis, Staffordshire, England |
| Died | 22 July 1996 (aged 33) Near Monmouth, Wales |
| Occupation(s) | Keyboardist |
| Years active | 1988–1996 |
Robert James Collins (23 February 1963 – 22 July 1996) was an English musician best known as the original keyboardist of The Charlatans.
The Charlatans
Collins was born in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire and grew up in Willenhall and was recruited to join The Charlatans in the late 1980s. The band's debut single "Indian Rope" was an indie hit, and led the way for their debut top ten single "The Only One I Know" in 1990. Collins' swirling and layered psychedelic organ playing added an important and noted edge to the band's sound and placed the band apart from many of their baggy contemporaries and he was the band's main songwriter. He recorded five successful albums with the band.
Death
Collins began to record keyboard and organ parts for The Charlatans' fifth album, Tellin' Stories, but was killed in a car crash on 22 July 1996, just before sessions were completed.
The music industry and his colleagues were greatly shocked by his sudden loss. Collins' death occurred some three weeks before The Charlatans' biggest concert to date; supporting Oasis at Knebworth. Oasis's lead singer Liam Gallagher said "live forever, mate" as a dedication to Collins and introduction to their song "Cast No Shadow".
