Larry Collins | |
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Background information | |
Born | Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S | October 4, 1944
Died | January 5, 2024 Santa Clarita, California, U.S. | (aged 79)
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Instrument(s) | Guitar |
Years active | 1954–2024 |
Formerly of | The Collins Kids |
Lawrence Collins (October 4, 1944 – January 5, 2024) was an American guitarist, best known for being a part of The Collins Kids duo with his sister Lorrie, being mentored by Joe Maphis, and for his fast and energetic playing.[1]
When The Collins Kids initially split up in 1961, Collins continued to perform as a solo artist, and most notably co-wrote the 1972 hit "Delta Dawn".
Main article: The Collins Kids |
Collins was a member of The Collins Kids, with his sister Lorrie (1942-2018[2]). Their hits in the 1950s included "Hop, Skip and Jump", "Beetle Bug Bop", and "Hoy Hoy".[3] The Collins Kids became regular performers on Town Hall Party in 1954,[3][4] appeared on the Grand Ole Opry,[5] and on the syndicated for television version of the show, Tex Ritter's Ranch Party in the late 1950s.[4][5]
Collins and his mentor, country star Joe Maphis, recorded an album together for Columbia Records, titled Fire on the Strings, released in 1957.[6] The Collins siblings continued to perform together until 1961 when they separated.[7][8] The duo reunited for a rockabilly revival concert in England in 1993[3] and performed together until Lorrie's death in 2018.[2]
When he was not a part of The Collins Kids, Collins continued to perform as a solo artist.[9][7] Collins went on to write and produce hits for many well known country music stars, and is most notable for co-writing the 1972 hit "Delta Dawn" with Alex Harvey[10] and the 1981 country hit "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" with Sandy Pinkard.[8]
Collins was known for playing a double-neck Mosrite guitar like his mentor, Joe Maphis.[10]
Lawrence Collins was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on October 4, 1944,[10] and died of natural causes in Santa Clarita, California, on January 5, 2024, at the age of 79.[11]