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.
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Allen Collins Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Lynyrd Skynyrd' by these artists:
Free Bird If I leave here tomorrow Would you still remember me? For I…
Gimme Three Steps I was cutting a rug Down at a place called Jug With…
Lynyrd Skynyrd This old town ain't been the same Since this old boys…
Swamp Music Going down to the swamp Gonna watch me a hound dog…
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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Kathy Rais
There are a few that I love so much of him & Gary, just such a deep brotherly love btwn the 2, there were many photos & video shots that caught that love on film forever.
Some people say he deserved what he got because of accident where he was paralyzed & his girlfriend died but so many extenuating circumstances, his mom & dad's divorce, dad not bein around, why they all gravitated to RVZ because he was that father figure to them, brother to all but mostly Gary & Allen.
Their fame came so quick & they were so young & Allen's dad apparantly started showin up when Allen's cks did which had to hurt. Then the crash where he & Gary lost their brother, mentor, father figure in RVZ & they were all in that same seat area, Gary & Allen across from each other, Cassie, Steve on 1 side, Ronnie & Dean on other, they all died, he & Allen lived. They suffered PTSD & severe survivors guilt, their whole dream was finally coming true, they were hotter than ever w/new album & it was all ripped away in a heartbeat.
They decided to start RCB & just started tour, his wife & baby dies. I am sure he had a lot of guilt there, think it is pretty well known that he & JoJo havin affair & I think that just broke him, just more guilt added on, more then he could take.
I heard he & Dale Krantz had a thing before she got with Gary so not sure exactly what happened, things just went downhill & he was late for practices or not show up so they had to call it quits but seemed to pull it together some w/ACB but couldn't maintain. I guess he just kept spiraling & ended up crashin car again & this time he didn't get up & walk away. I felt awful for her family as well.
Then to be in a wheelchair rolled out on stage like a spectacle, ordered by the courts, he had to speak abt accident & then was pushed by side of stage while he watched these guys, his brothers get out there & play w/out him. Randall Hall doing what Allen always did. I know he hand picked him but talk abt a kick in the gut, Allen was such a showman & the crowd loved it.
I think it was maybe Gene Odom that said Allen would just sit & watch with tears in his eyes. I get tears in my eyes thinkin abt it. He wasn't a saint but you look at a guy like Charlie Manson who was one evil SOB & lived into his 80's & Allen went at 37. Did he really deserve all that? Life can be cruel.
Amazing thing to me is that these guys had such an impact on music & created great music in 5 yrs (counting 72-77) than most groups or individuals do in their entire career.
People still listen to their music, new generations discovering their music & becoming fans, talk abt them all the time, do tributes like this & we are coming up on 44 yrs since the crash & pretty sure we all still mourn. Allen's birthday was Mon & I don't even think how old he will be, in my mind they are still in his 20's going out on stage every night & just slaying the crowd.
That says something very powerful abt them as a band & the music they created! I am looking forward to seeing them again, playing together & with all the greats that went before them, up above.
I will never forget any of you
Mo Monie
You can finally be at peace Allen... My heart aches thinking of everything you went through... You was a good man.a kind man..brought a smile to everyone's face
.your with Kathy and the other free birds
.Fly High Allen. Loved so much and NEVER forgotten.
💔💔💔💔🍻
Wendell Burkhart
I can't hardly listen to Skynyrd and especially Free Bird when I'm depressed because I think... what and why ? But God's always got the last say and I truly Thank Him for letting everyone enjoy this talent that he gave everyone of those in this band but especially Allen Collins and Stevie Gaines . That's 2 of my Top 5 guitarist ever and nothing or nobody will ever change that !
Anita clayborn
Thank you to every who posted this video. Great pictures. RIP SWEETHEART. ALL THE SWEETHEARTS.
Steven Brewer
Ya he was an energy to recon with, the entire band was! you just don't have band's like this today. God give them peace..please. they did swet and bleed for there fortune. God bless there soul's.!!
lorraine costanzo
An awesome tribute to a amazing guitarist !
Darell Gullion
The last few pictures hits right in the heart. He is truly missed. R.I.P. Allen Collins you deserve it.
slab busterRTR
Allen Collins was one of the best players ever on the planet he is over looked that man could plain melt a guitar FACTS!!
Randy Copley
What a shame that a talent like Allen Collins should have to experience such heartbreak and disaster in his young creative career. There is a rock and roll heaven and I believe he and all of the great rockers who have passed on are playing and dancing on that eternal stage and will be free birds forever. God bless his and all of the Lynard Skynard soles who have gone before and after him. The band is just about all there so hang on and get ready to dance your ass off when you are ready to go on. God Bless.
ICTengineer
Thank you for creating such a wonderful tribute to Allen, I can't think of a more deserving individual than Allen Collins. The guy put his heart into what are really musical gifts that he left humanity. Allen played with more raw passion and energy than any other guitarist I've ever seen. I'm still in awe of the way he, and Gary could meld their sonic guitar sounds, it still blows me away. No matter where, when or who I see playing a Gibson Firebird or Explorer electric guitar, my mind turns to Allen smiling at Ronny as he rips into the guitar intro to Give me Three Steps....
RIP Allen Collins, I'll never forget you!
Jack Peters
Whenever I saw them play Collins was the center of attention he was the coolest cat on stage He could play He could play man