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Albert Collins was now an internationally known, and popular musician, but he
attributed much of his success to his wife Gwendolyn, who not only wrote or co-wrote

many of his songs, but also gave him the required kick up the backside when needed,
as Collins himself attests - “Before I really got started with music I mixed paint for

automobiles for 6 years. When I cut “Frosty” in 1962 I didn’t follow it up. I never
travelled because I had a regular day job. I didn’t record for 6 years, from 1972 to

1978. For about a year I stopped playing completely. My landlord was a contractor
and I started doing work with him. I even worked on Neil Diamond’s house! My wife

told me “this ain’t you, you’ve got to keep up with your music”, which I’m proud of
her for telling me that. Most wives would want you on that job. I’d just gotten a little

disgusted, but she knew I had some potential, and I wanted to get out and try to do
something for myself”.

In the early 1990s Collins signed for Pointblank Records, and released “Iceman” in
1991. This was followed up by “Live At Montreux 1992” and the posthumous “Live

1992-93” (which was actually on Eagle Records). Fellow Pointblank/Virgin artiste
Gary Moore was only too pleased to be involved in some recordings and live

appearances with Collins, who was well aware of the assistance given to so many
black blues men by white players. In a 1992 interview with Tim Van Schmidt he
acknowledged The Blues Brothers, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Gary Moore in this

respect. He also accepted that he was an influence on others, and said, “it makes me
feel good if I influenced somebody”.

By all accounts Albert Collins was a modest, unassuming and gracious individual, but

get him on stage, then sparks flew and ice melted! I saw him at his last UK
performance, in March 1993, and at the end of the gig he sat on the edge of the stage,
shaking hands and chatting with the audience. I managed a hand shake, in the hope

that some of the magic might rub off!

Whilst in Switzerland, in July 1993, Collins was taken ill after a performance. Upon
returning to the USA it was confirmed that he had lung cancer, which had spread to

his liver, and had reached the stage where a cure was no longer possible. Indeed, the
doctors estimated that he had only around 4 months to live. Until the diagnosis there
was apparently no sign of any illness, and he was on top form during the European

tour. His last recorded dates were 4 & 5 September 1993, at the Riverfront Blues
Festival in Peoria, Illinois and the Waterfront Festival in Rockford, Illinois. These

recordings are available on the posthumously released ‘Live ‘92-93’ previously
referred to. He knew his time was nearly over, but you would never believe it by

listening to his blistering guitar work and vocals. During the period prior to his death
Collins talked at some length about his life and career, but never once bemoaned his

lot - indeed, thanking God for the ‘musical gift bestowed upon him, and the bounty
he had experienced for being able to share his gift with the world’.