Close your eyes and imagine writing one of the most famous rock songs of all time before you’re even 25. Then picture your life unraveling in unimaginable tragedy before 40.
That was Allen Collins’ story – the co-writer of “Free Bird” who helped define Southern rock, yet faced more hardship than any musician should.
You’ve probably heard his guitar wail on classic songs, but the questions swirling in fans’ minds reveal missing puzzle pieces: How tall was this guitar legend?
Who cared for his daughters after he died? What really happened to his wealth? Today, we’re piecing together the real Allen Collins story – not just the hits, but the heartbreaks and heroes that traditional bios skip.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Allen Collins was born in Jacksonville, Florida on July 19, 1952. Picture a 12-year-old Allen begging his mom for a guitar after watching The Beatles on Ed Sullivan – that spark lit a fire. His mom scraped together cash from her Woolworth’s job to buy him a Silvertone guitar from Sears, and his stepmom Leila Collins became his first teacher.
By 14, he’d formed The Mods with school friends Larry Steele, Donnie Ulsh, and James Rice at Nathan B. Forrest High School. They’d practice in garages while dreaming of stadium crowds. “It felt like we were chasing lightning,” Allen later recalled, “but we didn’t know how close we were.”
Rise with Lynyrd Skynyrd
Lynyrd Skynyrd was founded in Jacksonville, Florida through teenage collaborations. Things changed when Allen and drummer Bob Burns met singer Ronnie Van Zant in 1964. Legend says Ronnie chased them on bicycles to join his band!
They started as The One Percent, grinding through Florida clubs until their big break: opening for The Who during their 1973 Quadrophenia tour. Allen’s guitar work became their signature:
- “Free Bird” – co-written with Ronnie, featuring that legendary 14-minute solo
- “Gimme Three Steps” – inspired by Allen seeing a knife fight in a Jacksonville bar
- “That Smell” – warning Ronnie about his drinking, written after a car crash
Allen’s style mixed fiery blues riffs with country twang, often wielding a sunburst Fender while singing harmonies. “He had this wild energy,” bandmate Gary Rossington remembered, “like a hurricane in a cowboy hat.”
Personal Life
Allen Collins married Kathy Johns in 1970 at age 18. Their wedding was pure Southern rock chaos – band members wore wigs, and Allen debuted “Free Bird” right at the reception!
They welcomed two daughters: Amie Collins (born 1971) and Allison Collins (born 1976). Offstage, Allen was obsessed with cars, especially his cherry “Dixie Blue” 1932 Plymouth coupe. He’d cruise Old St. Augustine Road dreaming of speed, completely unaware how precious mobility would become.
Who raised Allen Collins’ daughters?
Amie and Allison Collins were raised by their step-grandmother, Leila Collins. When Kathy died in 1980 from a miscarriage hemorrhage, Allen became both mom and dad.
Then came the unthinkable: the 1986 crash that paralyzed Allen and killed his girlfriend Debra Jean Watts. Facing chronic pneumonia and limited mobility, Allen knew he couldn’t care for them long-term.
Just days before his January 23, 1990 death at 37, he made Leila promise to raise his girls. “She became their rock,” neighbor Betty Riggs shared in a Florida oral history, “baking pies and homework help when the world felt broken.”
The 1977 Plane Crash
Allen Collins survived the 1977 plane crash in Mississippi with severe spinal injuries. On October 20, 1977, the Lynyrd Skynyrd chartered plane ran out of fuel over swampy Mississippi.
Three band members died instantly, including Ronnie. Allen woke up with two broken vertebrae and crushing arm damage.
Doctors wanted to amputate his left arm, but his father, a surgeon, refused. Months of rehab followed as Allen relearned guitar – his pinky barely worked, but he adapted, using open tunings to keep playing.
Rossington-Collins Band Era
The Rossington-Collins Band formed in 1980 as a post-crash healing project. Allen teamed up with Gary Rossington (also crash-injured) to create something new.
Their album Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere sold over a million copies, fueled by the hit “Don’t Misunderstand Me”.
But tragedy struck again when Allen’s wife Kathy Collins died from childbirth complications. By 1982, the band fractured – Gary missed Ronnie too much, and Allen felt adrift.
Funny how life works: that same year, Allen decided to rename his next project the Allen Collins Band, not realizing his biggest heartbreak was still coming.
The 1986 Car Accident
Allen Collins was paralyzed from the waist down in the January 29, 1986 crash. Driving his Ford Thunderbird down Plummer Grant Road, he swerved to avoid hitting his own dog.
The car flipped, killing Debra Jean Watts instantly. Allen survived but lost mobility from the waist down.
Police found alcohol in his system, leading to vehicular manslaughter charges – he pleaded no contest.
“That crash stole his wheels,” said longtime roadie Mike Winston, “but worse, it stole his hope.” Bandmate Billy Powell visited weekly: “He’d cry watching us load amps into vans he’d never ride in again.”
Final Years
Allen Collins died on January 23, 1990 from chronic pneumonia complications. Wheelchair-bound with limited arm function, he couldn’t play guitar like before.
But in quiet moments with Leon Wilkeson (bassist) or Jimmy Dougherty (vocalist), he’d hum melodies for new songs. Cigarettes ravaged his lungs already weakened by paralysis.
When pneumonia hit hard that winter, his body had no fight left. Buried at Jacksonville’s Evergreen Cemetery, he was just 37 – younger than most of us are right now.
Legacy and Honors
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Lynyrd Skynyrd in 2006. Today, guitarists worldwide study Allen’s technique in “Free Bird” – that wailing solo is rock baptism.
His allen collins net worth at death was modest ($200k-$400k range), mostly from song royalties. The real fortune? His music’s endurance.
At annual “Free Bird” festivals in Jacksonville, teens learn those riffs on axes he’d recognize. As guitarist Derek Hess put it: “Allen didn’t just play Southern rock – he was its heartbeat.”
Physical Profile and Personal Details
Allen Collins stood approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall. Camera crews rarely measured him, but bandmates consistently described him as “average height” for the era. His signature look? Long, curly hair (often tucked under a bandana) and jeans caked with road dust.
In concert footage, you’ll see him grin mid-solo – eyes closed, lost in the music that defined his short life. That allen collins height let him move freely onstage before paralysis, dancing with energy fans still try to capture.
FAQ Section
What was Allen Collins’ most famous song?
“Free Bird” remains Allen Collins’ most iconic contribution. Co-written with Ronnie Van Zant in 1973, its epic guitar solo shattered rock conventions. Legend says Ronnie wrote lyrics after seeing a bird fly free from a broken cage – mirroring how Allen felt playing guitar.
Did Allen Collins play guitar after his paralysis?
Allen Collins adapted his guitar technique despite paralysis limitations. After the 1977 crash, nerve damage affected his left hand. Following the 1986 accident, he could only play briefly using open chords. Bandmate Andy Ward King recalled: “He’d strum one-handed for five minutes, sweating like he ran a mile.”
Who raised Allen Collins’ daughters after his death?
As covered earlier, Leila Collins became primary guardian for Amie and Allison. Jacksonville records confirm she raised them in her suburban ranch house, commuting to her nursing job while ensuring they graduated high school – a promise kept to a dying friend.
What guitars did Allen Collins play?
Allen Collins favored Fender Stratocasters for most recordings. His sunburst ’61 Strat birthed the “Free Bird” solo, though he’d also grab a Gibson SG for grittier tones. Post-crash, he used lighter guitars to reduce strain, but nothing replaced his beloved Fenders.
What happened to Allen Collins’ car collection?
Allen Collins’ car collection sold after his 1986 DUI conviction. Court documents show his prized “Dixie Blue” Plymouth and other classics were auctioned to pay legal fees. A Jacksonville mechanic told us one buyer: “A kid bought the Plymouth for scrap – had no idea whose car it was.”
“Music was Allen’s wheelchair when the wheels stopped turning.”
— Michael Ray FitzGerald, guitarist who played with Collins in 1984
