RIP Lorrie Collins

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 Aug 2018 2:44 am

From Deke Dickerson's Facebook post:

I knew Lorrie Collins had been sick but had no idea that she might leave us. Lorrie Collins passed away today, according to brother Larry Collins, and the two of them made up one of the greatest rockabilly acts of the 1950's--The Collins Kids! They made superb records back then (us rockabilly types all know 'em, but if you don't, go to youtube and look up "Mercy" or "Rock Boppin' Baby"), appeared on the Town Hall Party show (now flooding the youtube with great videos from their '54-'59 heyday), and came back strong for a bunch of reunion shows from 1993 until just a few years ago, many of which I was honored to be standing behind them playing doubleneck Mosrite guitar. Lorrie, on her own, in my opinion is one of this country's greatest underrated female singers. In her prime, I honestly would stack her up right next to the greatest--Patsy Cline, Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee, Connie Smith, Janis Martin--but as show business goes, she never had the right timing or the right opportunity to make her own solo voice a household name. She dated Ricky Nelson, she married Johnny Cash's manager, and she was so beautiful and charming that every dumb hillbilly boy like myself just fell in love with her. My heart goes out to her family and especially brother Larry. A closer brother and sister I've never seen. Rest in Peace, Lorrie. I hope we get to do "Hot Rod" again if we meet again up yonder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXmyAxHwdPI

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 5 Aug 2018 3:23 am

That's tough to take--I'm grateful I got to seem them live a few times--including once at Town Hall in the 1950s that I barely recall.

Here's Lorrie, Larry, and Leon from 1954:

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 5 Aug 2018 9:12 am

I got to play for "the Collins Kid's" as part of "the Oklahoma Riverbottom Boogie Band" for a few years back in the mid 70's. I always looked forward to the songs that "Miss Dinky"did in our shows. Larry could play some hot guitar, don't get me wrong, but Lorrie just killed her vocals! Thoughts and prayers to Larry, Col. Stew and her girls.

JE:-(>

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 5 Aug 2018 9:28 am

From Larry's FB site ...

Bill Sinclair · Post by **Bill Sinclair** » 6 Aug 2018 5:31 pm

I first heard of her from watching "The Women of Rockabilly" that featured Laurie, Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin and Brenda Lee. Definitely worth watching the whole thing but at least have a listen from minute mark 22 to 26 for part of her interview and a great Ranch Party clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGXfC5hpK3w

Prayers of comfort for her family and loved ones.

Brooks Montgomery · Post by **Brooks Montgomery** » 6 Aug 2018 5:50 pm

I hope this doesn't come off as too sexist.......but what a babe she was.
RIP.

Bill Bailey · Post by **Bill Bailey** » 6 Aug 2018 9:31 pm

Sorry to hear of her passing, I last saw her in Sharkeys Nugget Casino visiting with Rose and Fred Maddox, she was a most beautiful lady.

Godfrey Arthur · Post by **Godfrey Arthur** » 6 Aug 2018 9:41 pm

Dang she was hot!

Godspeed Lorrie!

Condolences to Larry and the family.

With Ricky Nelson

Glenn Suchan · Post by **Glenn Suchan** » 7 Aug 2018 12:07 pm

Bill Sinclair wrote:I first heard of her from watching "The Women of Rockabilly" that featured Laurie, Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin and Brenda Lee. Definitely worth watching the whole thing but at least have a listen from minute mark 22 to 26 for part of her interview and a great Ranch Party clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGXfC5hpK3w

Prayers of comfort for her family and loved ones.

Bill, as you said, prayers go to Lorrie Collins' family. And thanks for the link to the documentary on women rock-a-billy artists. Good stuff, but feel the producer is a bit remiss in not including Helen Hall
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSspYfUF9fc
and Sherry Davis:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGBnyvE1lQI

Keep on pickin'
Glenn

Jerry Hayes · Post by **Jerry Hayes** » 10 Aug 2018 10:28 am

It's really sad to hear this! I was a teenager in SoCal in the fifties and my dad took us to Compton for Town Hall Party at least 6 or 7 times a year. The weeks we didn't go we'd watch it on KTTV Channel 11 on Saturday nights. I saw the Collins Kids live a bunch of times (mostly watching Larry's guitar work) but really enjoyed their overall sound. My main reason for watching THP was that Merle Travis was a cast member and Joe Maphis was the band leader.... Marion Hall was the first steel guitarist I remember on there but later my old boss, Billy Mize took over on steel. Lorrie was indeed a beautiful lady who really kept herself up. Condolences to Larry for his loss, it's a big one for sure...JH in Va.

Rich Peterson · Post by **Rich Peterson** » 15 Aug 2018 7:39 am

Sad to hear. Great rock-a-billy singer and a lovely lady. All my heroes are passing away.

Alan Brookes · Post by **Alan Brookes** » 24 Aug 2018 2:28 pm

As a teenager I always had the hots for Lorrie Collins. While Larry was dancing around on stage as though he had ants in his pants, I was always watching Lorrie.

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RIP Lorrie Collins

RIP Lorrie Collins

Laurie Collins