Mel Collins

As a little kid, Mel Collins marveled on the jam periods that continued at his grandfather’s celebrations. Delivered in Mississippi, Collins found Chicago, IL, at an extremely early age. After graduating from senior high school, he enlisted in the Military around enough time from the Korean Battle. Later he came back to Chicago, learning to be a officer and carrying out bodyguard function for such notables as Frank Sinatra. While an associate of the authorities department, Collins started producing and handling local performers. In the past due ’60s, he teamed with vocalist/songwriter Jo Armstead, developing the Large and Glory brands. Their first achievement was Ruby Andrews’ “Casanova (Your Playing Times Are Over),” released on Ric Williams’ Zodiac label, which visited amount nine R&B in summertime 1967. Other strikes implemented: Jo Armstead’s “Rock Cold Fan” visited quantity 28 R&B in springtime 1968. Giant’s just million-selling solitary was Garland Green’s “Jealous Sort of Fella,” that was leased to MCA’s Uni label and visited quantity five R&B on Billboard’s graphs in summer season 1969. Other performers within the roster had been Fenton Robinson )”Someone Loan Me personally a Dime”), Small Jimmy Scott, Shirley Wahls, and Smokey Smothers. Large folded in 1970. Through the ’80s, Collins went to Chicago’s Columbia University and received a qualification in television creation and hosted the WLS-AM gospel display Heaven Bound. He held his submit music by buying Colfam music posting organization, the Gamma label, and Amalgamated Blues Association Productions and structured fundraisers for numerous charities. At age 67, Mel Collins passed away of lung malignancy on March 22, 2000, in Maywood, IL. Mel Collins-related produces are Ruby Andrews: Golden Classics, the 1995 Varese Sarabande Compact disc, and Jealous Sort of Fella as well as the compilation CDs Life styles from the Sluggish and Low and R&B Crossover Oldies, Vol. 2.