Happy Birthday Albert Collins!

On this day in 1932, Texas blues legend Albert Collins was born in Leona, Texas. An influential, albeit often overlooked talent, Collins was born in rural Texas but grew up in the rough Third Ward of Houston. Although he originally wanted to play keyboards, Collins switched to guitar at the age of 18 and made his bones playing with artists like his cousin Sam Lightnin' Hopkins.

Collins was a unique stylist and an incendiary live performer whose appeal jumped across the aisle from fans of houserockin' Texas blues to include many fans in the rock world. Influencing talents as diverse as Jimi Hendrix, Robert Cray, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Collins rode high during the 1980s blues revival, ensuring his place in music history. The guitarist's spirited appearance in the 1987 movie Adventures In Babysitting, along with numerous TV performances, brought his music to an entirely new audience.

Sadly, Collins succumbed to cancer in 1993 at the young age of 61 before he could fully capitalize on his growing instrumental reputation. Join us today in celebrating the life and music of blues guitarist Albert Collins, known throughout the blues world as "The Iceman."

Related Content: Albert Collins Profile

Photo courtesy Alligator Records