Larkin Allen Collins Jr. (July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990) was one of the … Read Full Bio ↴Larkin Allen Collins Jr. (July 19, 1952 – January 23, 1990) was one of the founding members and guitarists of Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, and co-wrote many of the band's songs with late frontman Ronnie Van Zant.
Musical Career
Allen Collins joined Skynyrd from the South just two weeks after Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington, along with Bob Burns and Larry Junstrom. So came the birth of Lynyrd Skynyrd in the summer of 1964. Allen 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. The Skynyrd plane 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. While amputation was recommended, Collins' father refused and Allen eventually recovered.
During the early 1980s, Collins continued to perform on stage in the Rossington-Collins Band 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 of a hemorrhage following a miscarriage. Allen began a downward spiral, using drugs and alcohol to asuage his grief. Missed concerts and conflicts within the band resulted in the disbanding of Rossington-Collins in 1982, and the start of the 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.
Accident and Band Reunion
In 1986 a car accident killed Collins' girlfriend and left the guitarist paralyzed from the waist down, with limited use of his arms and hands. Collins plead no contest to vehicular manslaughter as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. He would never play guitar on-stage again.
All remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited to perform in 1987, but due to his injury Collins was only able to participate as musical director. 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. Because of Collins' accident, 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. He founded Roll For Rock Wheelchair Events and Benefit Concerts in 1988 to raise awareness and to provide oportunities for those living with spinal cord injury and other physical challenges.
Death
Allen Collins died January 23, 1990 from chronic pneumonia, a complication of the paralysis. He is buried beside his wife in Jacksonville, Florida.
Musical Career
Allen Collins joined Skynyrd from the South just two weeks after Ronnie Van Zant and Gary Rossington, along with Bob Burns and Larry Junstrom. So came the birth of Lynyrd Skynyrd in the summer of 1964. Allen 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. The Skynyrd plane 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. While amputation was recommended, Collins' father refused and Allen eventually recovered.
During the early 1980s, Collins continued to perform on stage in the Rossington-Collins Band 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 of a hemorrhage following a miscarriage. Allen began a downward spiral, using drugs and alcohol to asuage his grief. Missed concerts and conflicts within the band resulted in the disbanding of Rossington-Collins in 1982, and the start of the 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.
Accident and Band Reunion
In 1986 a car accident killed Collins' girlfriend and left the guitarist paralyzed from the waist down, with limited use of his arms and hands. Collins plead no contest to vehicular manslaughter as well as driving under the influence of alcohol. He would never play guitar on-stage again.
All remaining members of Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited to perform in 1987, but due to his injury Collins was only able to participate as musical director. 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. Because of Collins' accident, 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. He founded Roll For Rock Wheelchair Events and Benefit Concerts in 1988 to raise awareness and to provide oportunities for those living with spinal cord injury and other physical challenges.
Death
Allen Collins died January 23, 1990 from chronic pneumonia, a complication of the paralysis. He is buried beside his wife in Jacksonville, Florida.
Freebird solo on his Gibson Firebird
Allen Collins Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Allen Collins:
Free Bird If I leave here tomorrow Would you still remember me? For …
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Slickson Revolver
Right at 4 month = 120 days roughly.
4 hours per night.
I had to learn it in sections.
Like a puzzle
20-30 second increments.
I had to piece it together.
Pulling up live performances of Allen Collins, and studying his finger placement, licks, style, tone, and his nuances as a guitar player.
It took all the dedication I could give to learn it correctly and truly “play” the solo.
Not just “play at it” like most players do
There only 2 other players I know in the U.S. that have done there deep homework like myself.
Clint Poe, and Tom Saguto.
In my opinion Allen is in the top 10 greatest guitar players in the world. Not only a genius Lead player but a genius rhythm player as well
Some of his licks and riffs can’t be duplicated the way he played them.
His choice of guitars, how they were set up, and his gear is absolutely mind-boggling.
I actually build Allen’s Firebird and Explorer… I’m the only one in the market doing it.
Look me up on Instagram
#slicksoncustomguitars
Rob M
Allen would be proud. Nice job!
Glenn Kemp
Very nice, young man. Well done. That is an exhausting solo to play. You really disected that piece. Your dedication to Allen and Skynyrd is evident. Rock on!
Ítamar Das Cachorra
Realmente é um solo cansativo de tocar
Slickson Revolver
Thank you Mr. Glenn I greatly appreciate that. I can play it over and over and over again I love it so much. It’s Allen’s masterpiece and I owe it all to him, he’s the reason why I am where I am today and I think the good Lord for that
fuc× Joe Biden
Allen Collins I still think nobody alive today can't touch that man !!!!!!! But man you kick ass !!!! You're one of the best I've ever heard play a solo
Janet Brewer
You’re right ., not even Rickey imo
Slickson Revolver
Thank you brother very much, it’s all for my hero Allen. I give it my best but no one will ever play it like the master himself that’s for sure. It’s his masterpiece
Darell Gullion
This is so very true that no one gives Allen Collins the respect that he deserves for being a Damn Good guitarist and it truly pisses me off because of it.
Slickson Revolver
I agree 100% the only credit that’s given is Freebird is ranked #3 on the top 100 greatest guitar solos in the world.
But no one goes into detail on who wrote the solo, how the solo was compose, and who composed it…
The master himself Larkin Allen Collins
Rene' delaVarre
Nice one. I saw Allen twice live. ONce with Skynyrd and once with RCB. He is why I picked up guitar. He remains my hero to this day. Watching him perform was so damned cool. He was the focal point of Skynyrd far as I am concerned. The rawest most aggressive player that I have ever seen!. RIP AC