Albert Collins was born on October 3, 1932 in Leona, Texas. He was one of the most prominent figures on the Texas blues scene. Collins grew up in Houston where he initially took keyboards lessons, thanks to his idol Jimmy McGriff. At the age of 18, he finally switched to guitar. Influenced by the likes of T-Bone Walker, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin’ Hopkins and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Albert Collins was soon playing in local night-clubs. Collins did not possess a great voice and for some, the tone of his Fender Telecaster was too harsh. But everybody saluted his remarkable guitar technique, and memorable “live” shows. He was also well known by his nicknames: “The Master of the Telecaster”, “The Iceman”, and “The Razor Blade”.
1958
Albert Collins and his The Rhythm Rockers recorded the first single, The Freeze (for the Houston’s label Kangaroo).
1962
Single Frosty (for Hall-Way Records) was the first Collins’ big hit. It was sold in over one million copies. Despite the success Albert Collins continued working his day jobs, and playing local clubs only on weekends.
1968
Albert met Bob “The Bear” Hite from well-known blues-rock band The Canned Heat. Hite convinced Collins to move to Los Angeles, California and sign contract with Imperial Records.
1969
Album Trash Talkin’ (Imperial) was released. In the same time Albert Collins was getting more and more exposure opening for many known names, like The Allman Brothers Band.
1971
Albert Collins signed contract with Tumbleweed Records. The result was album There’s Gotta Be a Change.
1977
Albert Collins joined Chicago-based Alligator Records team. This was the major turning point in his carrier.
1978
Collins released Ice Pickin’, a brilliant debut album for Alligator. Albert Collins will soon become a major concert attraction in North America, Europe, and Japan. In the line-up of his backing band The Icebrakers were some of the finest blues musicians of the time: Larry Burton (guitar), Alan Batts (keyboards), Aron Burton (bass), Casey Jones (drums), and A.C. Reed (saxophone).
1980
Frostbite, second album for Alligator was released. The new member of The Icebrakers became bassist Johnny B. Gayden.
1981
Alligator released Collins’ first “live” album, Frozen Alive!
1983
Released album Don’t Lose Your Cool (Alligator).
1984
Another “live” album, Live in Japan (Alligator).
1985
Albert Collins spent some time recording with his old friend Johnny Copeland. Two of them were joined by Robert Cray. The sessions were released on fantastic album Showdown (Alligator) which brought Grammy award to all tree musicians.
1986
Collins recorded album Cold Snap (Alligator) on which he has a special guest, his long time idol keyboardist Jimmy McGriff. Later that year album was nominated for a Grammy award.
1989
Albert Collins signed new contract, this time with Pointblank, a subsidiary of major label Virgin Records.
1991
Pointblank released Collins’ last studio album Iceman.
1993
Albert Collins was diagnosed with lung cancer, but refused to slow down continuing with energetic “live” performances. He passed away on November 23.
As a major figure of post-50’s blues, Albert Collins is still influencing young blues musicians. Different labels are continuously releasing compilations as well as his live recordings.
Some of the albums where Albert Collins is appearing as a guest musician are:
KOKO TAYLOR - Queen of the Blues (Alligator, 1975)
JOHN ZORN – Spillane (Electra, 1987)
GARY MOORE – Still Got the Blues (Charisma, 1990)
JOHN LEE HOOKER – Mr. Lucky (Classic, 1991)
GARY MOORE – After Hours (Charisma, 1992)
JOHN LEE HOOKER – Boom Boom (Pointblank, 1992)
DEBBIE DAVIES – Picture This (Blind Pig, 1993)
ROBERT CRAY – Shame + A Sin (Mercury, 1993)
JOHN MAYALL – Wake Up Call (Silvertone, 1993)
“Lyrics for All” pick:
For those who are meeting Albert Collins for the first time, 13-track compilation Deluxe Edition (Alligator, 1997) would provide an excellent overview of his Alligator recordings. On “the must have” list are Ice Pickin’ (Alligator, 1978), Showdown (Alligator, 1985), and Cold Snap (Alligator, 1986). Live in Japan (Alligator, 1984), and Live ’92-’93 (Pointblank, 1995) are collections of well recorded “live” material which documented some of his electrifying performances.
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