I'm a sixty year old man who has been a fan of everything Alan Collins ever played in. Such a sad life for a gentle, nice man and one of the most underrated guitarist of all time. Rarely do I hear someone speak of him anymore. Job well done Ed
As my friends held my legs I handed Allen a pint of Southern Comfort...still have my ticket to concert that never happened for a show in Detroit 4 days after the crash miss him every day 😢
I cannot believe that Alan Collins and Steve Gaines are not in the guitar hall of fame! Their both unbelievable and amazing! Lynard Skynard and free bird would not be with Alan Collins and after Ed King left Steve Gaines got them back on track and brought their inspiration back!! I love this band so much and all these guys. I’ve watched every movie every documentary and every and anything you can watch on TH-cam on all of Lynard Skynard. Truly amazing they all were. RIP Alan Collins and the rest of your buddies you will never be forgotten!!
His life breaks my heart. He seemed so gentle and went through so much heartache. How much can one person deal with? He was unbelievably talented, and its a joy to watch him on stage. ❤
@NE - Collins lived the highest highs & lowest lows any man can. What a trade off tho ... I speak for myself but trust MANY Skynyrd aficionados agree ... Allen Collins IS our favorite member of the band & our favorite guitarist ever. (I'm not saying the best ever (or even in LS) but our favorite. RIP AC.
Only in our sweet memories of listening to their awesome music! Hopefully, the new band will honor their memory and carry the torch of their music forward for younger generations to enjoy and appreciate!😉👍✌️🕊🎸🇺🇸
Not only is it a joy to listen to Allen's playing, but watching his enthusiasm on stage is inspiring. Ronnie didn't let anyone mess with Allen. True guitar legend.
Allen Collins is definitely one of the most underestimated and underrated guitarists of all time. I want to say God bless him,ronnie, Billy, leon,artimus,ed,steve,cassie,gary and everyone else in the lynard skynard camp and all of their families. Lynard skynard is the greatest southern rock band of all time. The songs they wrote are but little peices of themselves and I thank them all for sharing their music with me and the world. RIP I love you all! Until we meet again freebirds!
Regardless of the inaccuracies. Allen Collins is the most underrated rock guitarist on the planet. Great Songs riffs solos energy all from the heart. Its clear his heart was broken when his wife died. On stage he was a force I wouldn't cut heads with.
@@johnnypearson1310 I have 10 guitars I gig with. Everyone says the Explorer like Allen's fits me the best. There is something about it that connects with me and the listeners. I have guitars 10 times more expensive. Yet this one will have to peeled from my cold dead hands.
RIP Allen, you were one of rock's greatest. So much of Skynyrd's passion and fire. You were a gentle soul and fate dealt you far more than your fair share of tragedy.
As a guitarist myself I can attest that Allen was a damn good guitarist! In my opinion he's very underrated and deserves a LOT more recognition. I hold him in high regard like I do Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Rhandy Rhoads, Chet Atkins and Roy Clark just to name a few. R.I.P., Allen. You were only here for a short while but you gave us so much!
So much sadness and tragedy followed this band for whatever reason I'll never comprehend, they are truly my favorite band of all time and may God bless their souls in eternal heaven, RIP
The band that would eventually become Lynyrd Skynyrd was started by two people and two people only. Gary Rossington and Allen Collins , when they were 13 or 14 years old.
I saw AC play a few times, all in Nashville. I was at the Skynyrd tribute show at Starwood. When he came out in a wheelchair it was really heart breaking. Fly On Free Bird.....
Regardless of all the Bullshit arguments here, He was the best to ever pickup a 6 string! A self taught genius the World will Never see a better! Thank You Allen Collins! In my Youth growing up here in Louisiana in the 70's you was my hero and I will never forget the attention you showed me at the Monroe, Louisiana Concert! That was the thrill of my life at the time! You was the best I ever saw and I have seen them all! Rest in Peace! You earned it
Man I love listening to Allen play. He blisters the strings on the song. Needle and a spoon. I was only 13 when they had the crash. Awesome Band. True southern Rock.
Allen Collins is undoubtedly one of the greatest guitarist in history, so sad it’s heartbreaking, I love to see him with Lynyrd Skynyrd omg he’s so talented!
Allen Collins have his all and without him it would had been much different I think. Allen Collins made that sound , along with Gary’s smooth technics . My favorite guitar player, Allen Collins
One of the greatest rock guitarist ever and certainly an integral part of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd band! Tragic tale of a Southern Rock Legend! RIP Allen Collins!✌️🕊🎸
The part where Ronnie first recruited Allen is different than any other I have heard. I was always told that Ronnie and Gary (or may have been Burns) knew Allen had a guitar and amp and could play well. They went to his home and they encounter Allen riding his bike. Ronnie had a reputation as a fighter and that scared Allen. He thought they had come to beat him up, so he raced home and climbed a tree. Not sure what to believe, but that has always been the story I got.
they did...And Steve would know he hung with them too... it was a funny beginning but turned out like a brotherhood instead...Thanks for the reminder Steve, that was the way I heard it from Gary too... Learned that at the Jug when Ronnie pulled his pistol on me and Gary stepped up to Ronnie and said quit and put that away...that's where "Hey Mr. didn't mean to kiss her", came from... Yup Gary saved my buttons so I promised Ronnie I'd write him a song he couldn't refuse...and then we'd be friends...It was Sweet Home...And noEd King didn't originate it... but, he stole the part because he actually played it better than me at the time...And he had just got back from recording in Tennessee...which you probably already know...Just as well... being I was under a government contract at the time...No way I could have toured...but was offered three years later ...
So sad. I got to see Allen Collins play twice. Once in the Rossington Collins Band and once in the Allen Collins Band (both shows were in South Florida). I never got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd though, unfortunately. Allen was one of my favorite guitar players of all time.
I was fortunate enough to see him play a few days before the crash, in Lakeland, Florida, and then several years later in Rossington Collins in Daytona. He was an awesome guitarist and showman! Great song writer/composer as well! Tragic life, and he is definitely missed in contemporary music! Nothing like his style today, and no one compares!
Tales of Fame and Fate, depends on who you consider “the powers that be” are!😉✌️Heaven or Hell? All things work for good, for those who love the Lord!🙏✝️🕊
Allen Collins was not only one of the greatest rock guitarists he was a force of nature on stage and this video sadly falls short at the very least it should have shown Allen playing Freebird.
Love to watch the offerings showing Allen & Steve playing (my favorite is concert @ Knebworth, 1976, with Allen in red) on Rollin Stones tongue. It’s my understanding that Stones had told LS band that NOONE was to go out on tongue during concert. That was reserved for the Stones. Of course, Ronnie made all guitars (some of electrical cords wouldn’t reach all way) come out on tongue. What a performance!!!! Amazing!!!! They usually always played wonderful, but this performance is especially moving!!!! (Knebworth, England, 1976)
Agreed. No one plays Freebird as well as Allen Collins. As already mention in this thread - for some inexplicable reason Allen is always missed off the greatest guitarists of all time and I don't understand why. The band was never the same or as good after the terrible plane crash.@@SunnyDaysooXxO
Anything to recognize Allen Collins and his talents are fabulous. The whole band seems to have had a run of bad luck. I think he is a talent that is very underrated. Johnny Van Zant was not the singer of the Allen Collins Band. RIP Allen Collins.
RIP Allen. You was given a shitty hand of cards in life with so much death. I cant imagine your heartache. You were the best guitar player and its ashame your not recognized for that. That breaks my heart. But your true fans know diffrent. I know your finally at peace. Your missed and loved so much.. Thank you for being.. you.. A sweet ..hardworking.dedicated man. Tell Ronnie and Steve Thanks for the best southern band i ever heard. Your music lives on in our hearts til they day we die.. Fly high freebirds......❤😪
I remember the night I learned of Allen’s accident. We were at a friend’s house in Mandarin watching the Super Bowl Game, 1/29/86. During a commercial break is when we learned what had happened. The crash wasn’t far from where we were watching the game. It happened on Plummer Grant Rd. In the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, not far from Allen’s home. So sad, so tragic. He was a superb guitarist. I hope he finally found peace on January 23, 1990.
Allen was at least half of the soul of the band. You can easily hear this in his solo album. Those songs have depth. The modern Skynyrd band never had depth. Almost all of their songs are garbage. The modern band may have written five songs that I can stomach if that many.
This world will never be right for some people. I hope Allen has found peace, he deserves it. To quote Steve Gains memorial: " This world is not conclusion. A sequel stands beyond. Invisible, as music, but Positive, as sound. God bless you Allen and your family
This World is not Conclusion is the first line and title of an Emily Dickinson poem. She was born in Amherst Massachusetts. She is the most famous female poet in the English Language. Only about 8 of her poems were published during her lifetime. You should read about her. I have her photo on my wall and I have a cartoon image of her that is on a poster. I had the poster made from the art that came on a t-shirt series. The other poem on the bench was of course written by Charlie Daniels, A brief candle, both ends burning, and endless mile, a bus wheel turning. And that is from memory so don't quote me.
Daaamn. So deserving of more- and to be a survivor of the crash of the plane he didn’t want to get on, his band mates, wife and girlfriend’s death- the album Survivor takes on a whole new meaning. If I leave here tomorrow will you still remember me? Yes we will and yes he did💔😘
Without Allen or Ronnie.. ( words and music) there would never had been Lynyrd Skynyrd..the heart and soul.. I believe Ed King's contribution made them commercially viable as the record company intended . had I never met Teresa ( thumpers 1st wife ) and heard all the stories from the road I would have never fell in love with it all R.I.P both of you.. 💞💞💞
Back when they formed the band I listened at a party at my friends house and I said oh you got some Skynyrd playing , my friend said almost, it's the survivors of the band great music , and my friend never made it much further than a few years after that party , his wife left him and took his kid, it was more than he could bear, and he shot himself, such a loss he was a cool guy but alcohol got the best of him, and he was a veteran and mean I seen him in handcuffs kick a cop 6 times before that cop ever hit the ground, miss you David we had some great times together.
Knebworth , August 21st 1976, went down to see the Stones , all I could see was Lynyrd Skynyrd.... unbelievable performance, you can find a large part of their performance on TH-cam.( thank you, TH-cam ) Allan wearing his orange/red jeans ‘n Tshirt.... It was something I’ll never forget that performance of FreeBird will be playing for me, as I join the Band for a ReUnion.... Allen Collins World Great, Guitarist.... love you man.
I was waiting for Allen to levitate above the crowd during his free bird solo in knebwerth,to this day I still have not seen anything close to his performance during that song!
Never got the credit due ... Can’t say Collins without Rossington , RIP AC I pray your soul is at rest . 🙏🏻🇺🇸⚓️ his momma too , that’s loving your boy .
wow...I was not previously aware that his wife (RIP) was the inspiration for the opening verse of Free Bird. To lose her like that, and later a girlfriend, must have been completely devastating, what´s more the tragic plane crash.
Allen is resting at the cemetery just inside the I-295 beltway on Normandy Blvd. in Jacksonville Florida. Heading east from the beltway his grave is in the cemetery on the left. Ronnie’s and Leon’s graves are in the cemetery on the right. Just as you enter the graveyard from the funeral home parking lot you can easily see Leon’s headstone. It’s really hard to miss it. It’s a big black headstone with his full body figure holding a bass. If you stand at Leon’s grave with your back to it you will see Ronnie’s grave alongside his parents graves. Ronnie’s grave is obscure and plain compared to Leon’s. Only a hardcore fan will know that Ronald Wayne Van Zant is the Ronnie Van Zant.
Wow, he just took to many negative hits in his life. Horrific Plane Crash, The band is no longer, his soulmate dies in a miscarriage, Alcoholism, Countless DUIs, license Suspended permanently . Then paralyzed in a car crash that’s his fault and driving without a license. Can’t play guitar anymore. I can’t even comprehend all that. It’s just to much damage for one man to have to suffer through. He was a damn good guitarist though and his legacy lives on.
I saw Rossington Collins Band when they played Freebird with just a spot light pointing to where Ronny used to stand at the mic. So sad that he couldn't play on reunion tour in 87... Fly high Allen Collins you are free now !
If you watch all the live versions of fee bird, the man didn't miss a note. Wild , free and flyin high.... who ever played like that ? Top 10 guitarist ever.
The pilot didnt ask for the nearest airport "shortly after takeoff"... they traveled hundreds of miles after they took off...it was minutes BEFORE their scheduled LANDING in Baton Rouge that the frantic call was made
Allen was and will always be one of the greatest to ever do it! His style and smile could light up any room! Just watch any video and see his charisma! #FLYHIGHFREEBIRD!
Steve took Ed King's place when he left the band. They were born on the same day...hmmm. Who ever thought a guy from Glendale, Ca. would go on to write Sweet Home Alabama(California?)
So sorry that he left us so young....the band that left ahead of him needed a guitar player. Apparently Stevie Gaines wasn't enough. The good Lord pulled him home. Rest in peace Allen. We'll all see you again one day!
all i can say if i was in a plane and it caught fire once, and we was able to land safely, aint no way i would gt my ass back on it no matter who said what!
Bob Burns came up with the idea , and also all the guitar players must really worked well together in the hell house and Allen was incredible and Gary a staple , but please in those first years and the album that went gold shall Ed King never be forgotten , those recordings don't lie and Gary shall your soul join with them as they have stood with you after the crash , that was real, I truly believe and Dean was damn near a band member himself . This is one of if not "THE" greatest rock story ever .
My #1 favorite rockstar Guitarist My late Allen Collins "The Freebird" he is the reason I played guitar since when I was a kid I always played GTA San Andreas KDST the freebird. He is the Heart of Lynyrd Skynyrd he is the number 1 perfect rockstar .shoutout from Philippines. huhuu God bless him in heaven with the band
I never got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd. But I did see Rossington Collins band in 1982. Was a small venue on Long Island. When the lights went out we ran up to the stage and stood there. We were so close that we were behind the speakers and we listened to them playing out of there amps. Man was that a fun night. Allen was jumping around right in front of use. Such a wonderful talent they all where. I reached up and actually touched Leon's cowboy boot. He flicked a lit cigarette at me!! Hahhhhaaaa
Thank so so much for doing this on Allen C.....my alltime fave guitarist. I think, the most charismatic of Skynyrd. Did you know him? What kind of a guy was he. I saw him live in 76 77. No one could play FREE BIRD like him, afterall, Collins wrote it! More please!!!! You rock, my friend
I don't think any band has suffered as much tragedy. Sadly a lot of it was brought on by a shining star that was burning out. I feel for him. He was so good but damn, he was a tortured soul. I have been through some pretty bad times in my life. Not sure i would have handled losing the love of my life so i shall not judge.
I've got a '65 Ford tractor, and I check the fuel every time I fire her up with a stick. I would trust that over an electronic fuel gauge any day of the week. The difference in color on a stick never lies. Ever.
Yes it is an accurate and Safe Way to determine an aircraft's fuel level, provided that one understands what the level on that stick actually means. However, the stick is a useless method for determining how much fuel is left while you are in the air flying on engines far past due for overhaul and running abnormally rich fuel mixtures, far richer than what would have been typically expected. Yeah , they can check the fuel on the ground with a stick and estimate how far it will take them in certain winds and at what altitude and all the other factors that would impact your final number. But that only works if you have accurate wind and weather information and know exactly how much fuel your engines are consuming under said conditions, or under any conditions for that matter. It doesn't tell you how much you have left or how fast you're consuming it once you're airborne! Which would have been useful to know the day they crashed, more than likely it could have been prevented. So I'm a little confused as to what point is being made here as it applies to this tragedy. Yeah you can get an accurate measure from the stick. So what? A non-functioning fuel gauge and engines consuming fuel at a rate far beyond normally expected operational efficiency means your stick measurement is useless. Engine is burning too much fuel to get you to where you need to go without stopping for more first but you don't know that until your engines quit and you can't get them to restart. I'm only a general aviation pilot myself but I fly a twin Cessna which requires fuel management skills while in the air and let me tell you, that measuring stick doesn't play into my fuel management when I'm in the air. I also have handful of friends who are ATP holders and fly either cargo or passengers for major carriers and not one of them relies on a fucking stick to monitor their fuel level. That is not routine for most flights, sounds silly even to say it. Maybe it's routine for Jimbo and Bob and their crop-dusting Fleet of two c150s that have had busted fuel gauges since the 1960s but it's not routine for most flights no matter how you choose to Define most flights.
rock and roll is part of American history. The Lynyrd Skynyrd story is the story of what is possible in this country. So its important to get the facts right when you talk about Allen Collins or this this band. But it seems your heart was in the right place. do better next time...peace
I'm a sixty year old man who has been a fan of everything Alan Collins ever played in. Such a sad life for a gentle, nice man and one of the most underrated guitarist of all time. Rarely do I hear someone speak of him anymore. Job well done Ed
Many have said over the years, the airplane crash killed Allen as well. It just took longer for him to die from the injuries. RIP.
Most underrated rock guitarist ever. Allen’s sound was unmistakable. I wish he’d had a longer career. RIP Allen
Both Allen and Gary are underrated and them together was the Skynyrd sound
He was so intense...so emotive.
Allen was like a baby
brother in the band.
Love him
As my friends held my legs I handed Allen a pint of Southern Comfort...still have my ticket to concert that never happened for a show in Detroit 4 days after the crash miss him every day 😢
I cannot believe that Alan Collins and Steve Gaines are not in the guitar hall of fame! Their both unbelievable and amazing! Lynard Skynard and free bird would not be with Alan Collins and after Ed King left Steve Gaines got them back on track and brought their inspiration back!! I love this band so much and all these guys. I’ve watched every movie every documentary and every and anything you can watch on TH-cam on all of Lynard Skynard. Truly amazing they all were. RIP Alan Collins and the rest of your buddies you will never be forgotten!!
Amen to that!
Susie Eatherly .... Amen
AC was Skynyrd's secret weapon, a monster guitar player and writer.
I loved his choice of guitars also. From his firebird with the swapped-in p90 , his maple-necked '58 Strat, to his vibrato-equipped '58 Explorer.
His life breaks my heart.
He seemed so gentle and went through so much heartache. How much can one person deal with?
He was unbelievably talented, and its a joy to watch him on stage.
❤
@NE - Collins lived the highest highs & lowest lows any man can. What a trade off tho ...
I speak for myself but trust MANY Skynyrd aficionados agree ... Allen Collins IS our favorite member of the band & our favorite guitarist ever. (I'm not saying the best ever (or even in LS) but our favorite. RIP AC.
Long, long, live the original Lynyrd Skynyrd Band.
Only in our sweet memories of listening to their awesome music! Hopefully, the new band will honor their memory and carry the torch of their music forward for younger generations to enjoy and appreciate!😉👍✌️🕊🎸🇺🇸
@@toddmcintosh83 oh I have I’m 16 and can’t appreciate there music enough by far my favorite band.
Not only is it a joy to listen to Allen's playing, but watching his enthusiasm on stage is inspiring. Ronnie didn't let anyone mess with Allen. True guitar legend.
So right on!
Allen Collins is a rock n roll legend. RIP Allen. You're missed every day.
You never know what life's going to throw at you. Alen has his share of grief and bad luck. Thanks for sharing
Allen Collins is definitely one of the most underestimated and underrated guitarists of all time. I want to say God bless him,ronnie, Billy, leon,artimus,ed,steve,cassie,gary and everyone else in the lynard skynard camp and all of their families. Lynard skynard is the greatest southern rock band of all time. The songs they wrote are but little peices of themselves and I thank them all for sharing their music with me and the world. RIP I love you all! Until we meet again freebirds!
Southern Man will survive
Amen!
Regardless of the inaccuracies. Allen Collins is the most underrated rock guitarist on the planet. Great Songs riffs solos energy all from the heart. Its clear his heart was broken when his wife died. On stage he was a force I wouldn't cut heads with.
Well said, tom. Rip allen and the rest of the deceased in the original band.
Amen brother!! Allen is the reason I started playing!!!
well, he wasnt around long enough for more people to know of him
@@johnnypearson1310 I have 10 guitars I gig with. Everyone says the Explorer like Allen's fits me the best. There is something about it that connects with me and the listeners. I have guitars 10 times more expensive. Yet this one will have to peeled from my cold dead hands.
Right on man!!! He’s the reason I started playing
RIP Allen, you were one of rock's greatest. So much of Skynyrd's passion and fire. You were a gentle soul and fate dealt you far more than your fair share of tragedy.
As a guitarist myself I can attest that Allen was a damn good guitarist! In my opinion he's very underrated and deserves a LOT more recognition. I hold him in high regard like I do Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Rhandy Rhoads, Chet Atkins and Roy Clark just to name a few.
R.I.P., Allen. You were only here for a short while but you gave us so much!
Your artist influence is a fine list of variety . Interesting you have such a unique group of guitarist crossing many styles . Cheers
He is the quintessential Freebird. Continue to rest in Peace Allen, your genius will never die.
So much sadness and tragedy followed this band for whatever reason I'll never comprehend, they are truly my favorite band of all time and may God bless their souls in eternal heaven, RIP
So true.
Great job! Thanks for honoring one of the greats. An unsung guitar hero.
Gene Odem said there would have been no Lynyrd Skynyrd without Allen Collins
really?
It’s true
very true.
Naw. Without Leonard Skinner there would not have been a Lynyrd Skynyrd. Or without Bob Burns since he suggested the name.
The band that would eventually become Lynyrd Skynyrd was started by two people and two people only.
Gary Rossington and Allen Collins , when they were 13 or 14 years old.
I saw AC play a few times, all in Nashville. I was at the Skynyrd tribute show at Starwood. When he came out in a wheelchair it was really heart breaking. Fly On Free Bird.....
What a sad day this was, I will never forget the news broad cast of the crash. The world lost great musicians on that day! Their music lives on....💕
Regardless of all the Bullshit arguments here, He was the best to ever pickup a 6 string! A self taught genius the World will Never see a better! Thank You Allen Collins! In my Youth growing up here in Louisiana in the 70's you was my hero and I will never forget the attention you showed me at the Monroe, Louisiana Concert! That was the thrill of my life at the time! You was the best I ever saw and I have seen them all! Rest in Peace! You earned it
AC wasn't even close to being the best, let's be real. But he was a great guitarist, there's no denying that.
Ben Schwartz best ever
Man I love listening to Allen play. He blisters the strings on the song. Needle and a spoon. I was only 13 when they had the crash. Awesome Band. True southern Rock.
Allen was something else !!!!!
What a story his life was ....ups and downs ..... He was an incredible guitar player ...
He was amazing!
One of the best guitar player in the 70's and his music is still on top of the game these days..!
I would put Allen in the top ten of best guitarists ever. I wish he could have lived longer he would have had so much more to say.
Allen Collins is undoubtedly one of the greatest guitarist in history, so sad it’s heartbreaking, I love to see him with Lynyrd Skynyrd omg he’s so talented!
He indeed was. We all miss him and his talent.
I will always remember and love you Allen. Thank you for being a friend.
Allen Collins have his all and without him it would had been much different I think. Allen Collins made that sound , along with Gary’s smooth technics . My favorite guitar player, Allen Collins
He was indeed one of the greatest.
If you look at the credits for Skynrd songs, every one is Collins, VanZant. Steve Gaines wrote a couple and Ed King wrote Sweet Home
One of the greatest rock guitarist ever and certainly an integral part of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd band! Tragic tale of a Southern Rock Legend! RIP Allen Collins!✌️🕊🎸
Truly a sad story. He was indeed one of the greatest.
The part where Ronnie first recruited Allen is different than any other I have heard. I was always told that Ronnie and Gary (or may have been Burns) knew Allen had a guitar and amp and could play well. They went to his home and they encounter Allen riding his bike. Ronnie had a reputation as a fighter and that scared Allen. He thought they had come to beat him up, so he raced home and climbed a tree. Not sure what to believe, but that has always been the story I got.
Yep, that's the story I always heard as well, the one you just noted.
😅👍 that's a good story.
they did...And Steve would know he hung with them too... it was a funny beginning but turned out like a brotherhood instead...Thanks for the reminder Steve, that was the way I heard it from Gary too... Learned that at the Jug when Ronnie pulled his pistol on me and Gary stepped up to Ronnie and said quit and put that away...that's where "Hey Mr. didn't mean to kiss her", came from... Yup Gary saved my buttons so I promised Ronnie I'd write him a song he couldn't refuse...and then we'd be friends...It was Sweet Home...And noEd King didn't originate it... but, he stole the part because he actually played it better than me at the time...And he had just got back from recording in Tennessee...which you probably already know...Just as well... being I was under a government contract at the time...No way I could have toured...but was offered three years later ...
Nope, that was the drummer that went up a tree.
So sad. I got to see Allen Collins play twice. Once in the Rossington Collins Band and once in the Allen Collins Band (both shows were in South Florida). I never got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd though, unfortunately. Allen was one of my favorite guitar players of all time.
I was fortunate enough to see him play a few days before the crash, in Lakeland, Florida, and then several years later in Rossington Collins in Daytona. He was an awesome guitarist and showman! Great song writer/composer as well! Tragic life, and he is definitely missed in contemporary music! Nothing like his style today, and no one compares!
A cautionary tale. Thanks for feature Allen Collins, he deserves more recognition for his great musical talent. RIP.
He was a very special guy with a lot of talent that the powers that be never gave a fair shake to.
Tales of Fame and Fate, depends on who you consider “the powers that be” are!😉✌️Heaven or Hell? All things work for good, for those who love the Lord!🙏✝️🕊
Allen Collins was not only one of the greatest rock guitarists he was a force of nature on stage and this video sadly falls short at the very least it should have shown Allen playing Freebird.
My thoughts exactly , well said sir !
agreed
Love to watch the offerings showing Allen & Steve playing (my favorite is concert @ Knebworth, 1976, with Allen in red) on Rollin Stones tongue. It’s my understanding that Stones had told LS band that NOONE was to go out on tongue during concert. That was reserved for the Stones. Of course, Ronnie made all guitars (some of electrical cords wouldn’t reach all way) come out on tongue. What a performance!!!! Amazing!!!! They usually always played wonderful, but this performance is especially moving!!!! (Knebworth, England, 1976)
@@frankiebutler2894 I agree this was the BEST FREEBIRD ever preformed!!!!!!!!!
Many have tried including tribute band but Free Bird isn't Free Bird without Allen Collins playing in the band.
And Billy too.
Amen to that
Agreed. No one plays Freebird as well as Allen Collins. As already mention in this thread - for some inexplicable reason Allen is always missed off the greatest guitarists of all time and I don't understand why. The band was never the same or as good after the terrible plane crash.@@SunnyDaysooXxO
AGREED!!! He made Freebird sound what it is today!!! What a huge loss but a Great Talent that would of climbed to the top with his talent!!!
I hear that!
Anything to recognize Allen Collins and his talents are fabulous. The whole band seems to have had a run of bad luck. I think he is a talent that is very underrated. Johnny Van Zant was not the singer of the Allen Collins Band. RIP Allen Collins.
RIP Allen. You was given a shitty hand of cards in life with so much death. I cant imagine your heartache. You were the best guitar player and its ashame your not recognized for that. That breaks my heart. But your true fans know diffrent. I know your finally at peace. Your missed and loved so much.. Thank you for being.. you.. A sweet ..hardworking.dedicated man. Tell Ronnie and Steve Thanks for the best southern band i ever heard. Your music lives on in our hearts til they day we die..
Fly high freebirds......❤😪
Many who are not famous seen as much death but not as much freedom as being a star possesses
He shure didn't help things with his life style.
@@garyjones7044 true but the plane crash and his wife dying we're beyond his control it was the drinking and driving that did him in
You couldn't have said that any better!!!!
I remember the night I learned of Allen’s accident. We were at a friend’s house in Mandarin watching the Super Bowl Game, 1/29/86. During a commercial break is when we learned what had happened. The crash wasn’t far from where we were watching the game. It happened on Plummer Grant Rd. In the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, not far from Allen’s home. So sad, so tragic. He was a superb guitarist. I hope he finally found peace on January 23, 1990.
He’s with his wife now in Heaven!😉🕊🕊
Allen always seemed to be the one destine for greatness to me.
Allen was at least half of the soul of the band. You can easily hear this in his solo album. Those songs have depth. The modern Skynyrd band never had depth. Almost all of their songs are garbage. The modern band may have written five songs that I can stomach if that many.
Ed King had a lot to do with the guitar sound.
Was a 16yr old kid in 77 soldiers field Chicago totally blown away by this band couple months later sadness
RIP Allen. You’re missed. ❤️
Thanks for this , the guy is a legend and fate was not kind, he was destined to have a short life as most legends
This world will never be right for some people. I hope Allen has found peace, he deserves it. To quote Steve Gains memorial: " This world is not conclusion. A sequel stands beyond. Invisible, as music, but Positive, as sound. God bless you Allen and your family
Amen Brother!
This World is not Conclusion is the first line and title of an Emily Dickinson poem. She was born in Amherst Massachusetts. She is the most famous female poet in the English Language. Only about 8 of her poems were published during her lifetime. You should read about her. I have her photo on my wall and I have a cartoon image of her that is on a poster. I had the poster made from the art that came on a t-shirt series. The other poem on the bench was of course written by Charlie Daniels, A brief candle, both ends burning, and endless mile, a bus wheel turning. And that is from memory so don't quote me.
Allen Collins was a bad ass guitarist. Love him.
Maybe we didn't think of because it was Skynard, and we knew they were the best.
Don't leave this world without Jesus.
Allen is KING SHREDDER!! I wish he were talked about more
I really do not know why he isn't. In my opinion he was one of the best of all times.
I was at the Knebworth Concert in ‘76 and was Awoken....
Allen Collins was the reason I picked up the guitar 🤠
A lot of people have said that. Truly will be missed forever.
When you see a list of the best rock guitarists ever and Allens name is not on it its bullshit. I love you Allen you where great.
Daaamn. So deserving of more- and to be a survivor of the crash of the plane he didn’t want to get on, his band mates, wife and girlfriend’s death- the album Survivor takes on a whole new meaning. If I leave here tomorrow will you still remember me? Yes we will and yes he did💔😘
For years I thought him and Rossington were the same person. Collins was probably the most talented of the trio imo.
Without Allen or Ronnie.. ( words and music) there would never had been Lynyrd Skynyrd..the heart and soul..
I believe Ed King's contribution made them commercially viable as the record company intended .
had I never met Teresa ( thumpers 1st wife ) and heard all the stories from the road I would have never fell in love with it all
R.I.P both of you..
💞💞💞
If I only had half his talent. What a remarkable guitar player. So sad.
Alan was "One of a Kind" ! what a shame, & loss!!
Rosington Collins Band made a couple of quality records.
not
Went backstage and got to meet 'em on that tour........what a day!
Prime time/ Don't misunderstand me..........killer tunes!
Back when they formed the band I listened at a party at my friends house and I said oh you got some Skynyrd playing , my friend said almost, it's the survivors of the band great music , and my friend never made it much further than a few years after that party , his wife left him and took his kid, it was more than he could bear, and he shot himself, such a loss he was a cool guy but alcohol got the best of him, and he was a veteran and mean I seen him in handcuffs kick a cop 6 times before that cop ever hit the ground, miss you David we had some great times together.
I love RCB's music as much as Skynyrd's. Wish they would have played it over the years. It is a part of who they are without Ronnie 💔.
I saw them in the 80s and onstage they were really good
Great Guitarist! Thanks for the great video!
Only the good die young....see you guys in Rock n Roll Heaven...your my heroes...😭
Nancy Pelosi will live forever.
Agreed! My brother Clay died at 27 the following year in October, in a plane crash! The two worst October’s of my life! 😔🕊
Legend, thank you for sharing xo xo xo.
Just watched ‘If I leave here tomorrow’ documentary, wow, mind blowing, what a band. Trying to learn more about each band member, what a loss ..
Knebworth , August 21st 1976, went down to see the Stones , all I could see was Lynyrd Skynyrd.... unbelievable performance, you can find a large part of their performance on TH-cam.( thank you, TH-cam ) Allan wearing his orange/red jeans ‘n Tshirt....
It was something I’ll never forget that performance of FreeBird will be playing for me, as I join the Band for a ReUnion.... Allen Collins World Great, Guitarist.... love you man.
Allen will always be in our hearts and memories.
@@omegamorgan Is that when Lynyrd Skynyrd was forbidden to go out and play on the tongue but they did it anyway?
G Roberts yes! But start with Ronnie Van Zant if you are beginning to research the band members, that will help you understand a lot more
I was waiting for Allen to levitate above the crowd during his free bird solo in knebwerth,to this day I still have not seen anything close to his performance during that song!
Never got the credit due ... Can’t say Collins without Rossington , RIP AC I pray your soul is at rest . 🙏🏻🇺🇸⚓️ his momma too , that’s loving your boy .
I remember Rossington-Collins. They played PB Scotts in Blowing Rock NC alot. Great band. Rest in Peace. ✌ Mike Pardue
Allen is my ONLY guitar Hero I ever had!
Allen and Mike Campbell are the most underrated guitarist of all time...both top 25 for sure
wow...I was not previously aware that his wife (RIP) was the inspiration for the opening verse of Free Bird. To lose her like that, and later a girlfriend, must have been completely devastating, what´s more the tragic plane crash.
Allen was never underrated, he was one of the greats of Southern Rock shredding. Hell he practically invented Metal.
Amen to that!
Allen is resting at the cemetery just inside the I-295 beltway on Normandy Blvd. in Jacksonville Florida. Heading east from the beltway his grave is in the cemetery on the left. Ronnie’s and Leon’s graves are in the cemetery on the right. Just as you enter the graveyard from the funeral home parking lot you can easily see Leon’s headstone. It’s really hard to miss it. It’s a big black headstone with his full body figure holding a bass. If you stand at Leon’s grave with your back to it you will see Ronnie’s grave alongside his parents graves. Ronnie’s grave is obscure and plain compared to Leon’s. Only a hardcore fan will know that Ronald Wayne Van Zant is the Ronnie Van Zant.
I've said this many time before, and I'll say it again; Skynyrd is the band who has the highest mortality rate of any band I've ever seen!
GRD62 the original Ramones are all dead. Skynyrd still has Gary Rossington.
Everyone dies....
Oz Art , ..........eventually.😉
How Tragically sad ❤️💔❤️💔
Some people just look like they were born with a guitar in their hands, this was allen collins...it just looks right
That Gibson Explorer ! .... YES .... Rip Allen Collins and FreeBird ....
Wow, he just took to many negative hits in his life. Horrific Plane Crash, The band is no longer, his soulmate dies in a miscarriage, Alcoholism, Countless DUIs, license Suspended permanently . Then paralyzed in a car crash that’s his fault and driving without a license. Can’t play guitar anymore. I can’t even comprehend all that. It’s just to much damage for one man to have to suffer through. He was a damn good guitarist though and his legacy lives on.
An honest/true to the actual story (as best can be gathered), major motion biopic needs to be made about this legendary band.
I saw the 1987 tour and they brought him out on stage to talk. It was a very depressing way to start a rock concert.
I saw Rossington Collins band as a teenager in Roanoke Virginia civic center. They Rocked the house 🤘
I saw Rossington Collins Band when they played Freebird with just a spot light pointing to where Ronny used to stand at the mic. So sad that he couldn't play on reunion tour in 87...
Fly high Allen Collins you are free now !
If you watch all the live versions of fee bird, the man didn't miss a note. Wild , free and flyin high.... who ever played like that ? Top 10 guitarist ever.
So sad. Very talented man takin from us to early!
Enjoyed this as a Skynyrd fan, but the background music throughout is distracting as heck from the commentary...it needed to be toned way down!
Yes I agree. It was our first mix and just wish it could be fixed now but too late.
I agree kinda like fingernails on a blackboard ..RIP Allen..... way underated
Holy shit are you right! That was unwatchable for me. If I got the narrarator loud enough the music would bury him and shake my TV seakers.
It is way too loud. Ya'll could remix it, or rerecord it. Or whatever you call it. Right???
WAY down
The pilot didnt ask for the nearest airport "shortly after takeoff"... they traveled hundreds of miles after they took off...it was minutes BEFORE their scheduled LANDING in Baton Rouge that the frantic call was made
Exactly right!👍
Thanks.
Allen was a force on his guitar. Rip Allen
Thank you. Very tastefully done!
I just wished Allen could be telling his story
Amen to that!
It's sad he's gone but he's with the ones he lost in life.
Allen was and will always be one of the greatest to ever do it! His style and smile could light up any room! Just watch any video and see his charisma! #FLYHIGHFREEBIRD!
Absolutely!
That triumvirate of Allen, Gary and Steven was profound
So true.
Steve took Ed King's place when he left the band. They were born on the same day...hmmm. Who ever thought a guy from Glendale, Ca. would go on to write Sweet Home Alabama(California?)
@@BIG_JOHN_SFV Ed KIng's contribution to S.W.A. was adding to the Guitar parts, not necessarily writing the song in its entirety.
So sorry that he left us so young....the band that left ahead of him needed a guitar player. Apparently Stevie Gaines wasn't enough. The good Lord pulled him home. Rest in peace Allen. We'll all see you again one day!
😉🎸😎
all i can say if i was in a plane and it caught fire once, and we was able to land safely, aint no way i would gt my ass back on it no matter who said what!
AC is the reason I love Gibson Explorers
Thanks for the upload.
Thanks for listening
Bob Burns came up with the idea , and also all the guitar players must really worked well together in the hell house and Allen was incredible and Gary a staple , but please in those first years and the album that went gold shall Ed King never be forgotten , those recordings don't lie and Gary shall your soul join with them as they have stood with you after the crash , that was real, I truly believe and Dean was damn near a band member himself . This is one of if not "THE" greatest rock story ever .
My #1 favorite rockstar Guitarist My late Allen Collins "The Freebird" he is the reason I played guitar since when I was a kid I always played GTA San Andreas KDST the freebird. He is the Heart of Lynyrd Skynyrd he is the number 1 perfect rockstar .shoutout from Philippines. huhuu God bless him in heaven with the band
I never got to see Lynyrd Skynyrd. But I did see Rossington Collins band in 1982. Was a small venue on Long Island. When the lights went out we ran up to the stage and stood there. We were so close that we were behind the speakers and we listened to them playing out of there amps. Man was that a fun night. Allen was jumping around right in front of use. Such a wonderful talent they all where. I reached up and actually touched Leon's cowboy boot. He flicked a lit cigarette at me!! Hahhhhaaaa
Hey pal thank you so much for the mini documentary....you did an awesome job!
1 of best rock guitarist EVER.
I saw them in Birmingham Al Oct 1987, 10 years to the night. What a show.
His leaps into the air whole playing is legendary
R.I.P. Allen! Wish I could get my hands on the album Here There n Back
Having known him ... he smoked Gary R. ...from old days at The Tropical Teen Club.
Thank so so much for doing this on Allen C.....my alltime fave guitarist. I think, the most charismatic of Skynyrd. Did you know him? What kind of a guy was he. I saw him live in 76 77. No one could play FREE BIRD like him, afterall, Collins wrote it! More please!!!! You rock, my friend
He was one of my all time favorites also. The world lost someone very special when he passed.
I agree, as a matter of fact, I will be doing one on Danny Joe Brown.
@@TalesofFameandFate I hope you make an effort to do better research on that one than what you did here.
There been no Lynyrd Skynyrd with out Allen Collins Great Guitar Playing.
I agree. He was a very special and magical guitarist.
Or without Lenoard Skinner neither....lol
He was also a great writer.
I don't think any band has suffered as much tragedy. Sadly a lot of it was brought on by a shining star that was burning out. I feel for him. He was so good but damn, he was a tortured soul. I have been through some pretty bad times in my life. Not sure i would have handled losing the love of my life so i shall not judge.
Checking fuel weather with a stick? Guess what. That is routine for most flights and actually safe way to obtain accurate fuel level.
it's a very common way to check fuel on planes, boats, farm tractors, etc. i use a stick to check fuel on my lawn equipment
david grier I shot the fuel gauge out the dash in my truck, now all I use is my trusty stick.
I've got a '65 Ford tractor, and I check the fuel every time I fire her up with a stick. I would trust that over an electronic fuel gauge any day of the week. The difference in color on a stick never lies. Ever.
Yes it is an accurate and Safe Way to determine an aircraft's fuel level, provided that one understands what the level on that stick actually means. However, the stick is a useless method for determining how much fuel is left while you are in the air flying on engines far past due for overhaul and running abnormally rich fuel mixtures, far richer than what would have been typically expected. Yeah , they can check the fuel on the ground with a stick and estimate how far it will take them in certain winds and at what altitude and all the other factors that would impact your final number. But that only works if you have accurate wind and weather information and know exactly how much fuel your engines are consuming under said conditions, or under any conditions for that matter. It doesn't tell you how much you have left or how fast you're consuming it once you're airborne! Which would have been useful to know the day they crashed, more than likely it could have been prevented. So I'm a little confused as to what point is being made here as it applies to this tragedy. Yeah you can get an accurate measure from the stick. So what? A non-functioning fuel gauge and engines consuming fuel at a rate far beyond normally expected operational efficiency means your stick measurement is useless. Engine is burning too much fuel to get you to where you need to go without stopping for more first but you don't know that until your engines quit and you can't get them to restart. I'm only a general aviation pilot myself but I fly a twin Cessna which requires fuel management skills while in the air and let me tell you, that measuring stick doesn't play into my fuel management when I'm in the air. I also have handful of friends who are ATP holders and fly either cargo or passengers for major carriers and not one of them relies on a fucking stick to monitor their fuel level. That is not routine for most flights, sounds silly even to say it. Maybe it's routine for Jimbo and Bob and their crop-dusting Fleet of two c150s that have had busted fuel gauges since the 1960s but it's not routine for most flights no matter how you choose to Define most flights.
Plain and simple... Bad judgement that caused a lot of intelligent people there life
rock and roll is part of American history. The Lynyrd Skynyrd story is the story of what is possible in this country. So its important to get the facts right when you talk about Allen Collins or this this band. But it seems your heart was in the right place. do better next time...peace