Lynyrd Skynyrd has surely been struck with more than their share of tragedy over the years – it’s simply stunning how many of their members have passed since this relatively young rock band’s inception. I’d like to take a moment to remember Allen Collins.

Guitarist Larkin Allen Collins Jr. was born in Jacksonville, July 19, 1952, and was not only a founding member of Skynyrd, he co-wrote some of their biggest hits including Freebird.  Allen was seriously injured in the plane crash of 1977.  He recovered and had some success with The Rossington-Collins Band in the early ‘80s with his Skynyrd bandmate, Gary Rossington.  During R-C’s debut tour, Allen’s wife died suddenly which, in part, led to the short lived R-C Band.  He formed the Allen Collins band in 1983 with other Skynyrd members, but in 1986 Allen was involved in a DUI car accident that left his girlfriend dead, and him paralyzed from the waist down. He never played guitar onstage again.

The last time I saw Allen was at the HUGE Lynyrd Skynyrd reunion concert at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium in 1987 where he was serving as the band’s musical director.  I was touched by how devoted Gary Rossington seemed to be to him.  It was obvious to me that the band adored Allen, and wanted him to be as much a part of their renewed success as possible.  Sadly, Allen died on this day, January 23^rd 1990, from pneumonia due to complications from his paralysis.  But he didn’t pass before he educated thousands on the dangers of drinking and driving, and drugs and alcohol.  Lynyrd Skyryrd also donated a large amount of money to the Miami Project, which deals with the treatment of paralysis.

R.I.P. Allen Collins.