Biography
Gloria Lavern Collins, better known as Lyn Collins, was born on June 12, 1948, in Lexington, Texas (with some sources noting Abilene), and began her musical journey early, recording her first single 'Unlucky in Love' at age 14 with Charles Pike & The Scholars. She sent a demo tape to James Brown after her husband, a local promoter for his revue, encouraged her, leading to her joining Brown's revue in 1971 following the departure of Vicki Anderson. Under Brown's production, she released her breakthrough hit 'Think (About It)' in 1972 on his People Records label, which peaked at No. 66 on the Billboard pop charts and Top 10 on R&B, establishing her as the most commercially successful female singer in his camp with her powerful, sermon-like delivery earning her nicknames like 'Female Preacher' and 'Mama Feelgood'.
Collins continued recording singles and her debut album Think (About It) through 1973 while touring heavily with Brown's revue, including the duet 'What My Baby Needs Now Is a Little More Lovin'' with Brown. Her style blended funk's heavy bass lines, complex rhythms, and horn sections with soulful, sassy vocals. Leaving Brown in the mid-1970s, she released Check Me Out If You Don't Know Me by Now in 1975, then worked as a backup singer for artists like Dionne Warwick, Rod Stewart, and Al Green, and appeared on soundtracks for Dr. Detroit and Fame.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Collins attempted a comeback as a dance/club diva with house single 'Shout' on Belgium's ARS label and a track for an Italian label. Her profile revived in 1993 when dancehall artist Patra featured her on a remake of 'Think (About It)', leading to reissues of her albums in England and the Netherlands. Collins passed away on March 13, 2005, leaving a legacy in funk and soul, notably sampled in Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock's 'It Takes Two'.
Fun Facts
- Nicknamed 'Female Preacher' and 'Mama Feelgood' by James Brown for her commanding, sermon-like stage presence and powerful vocals.
- Married a local promoter for the James Brown Revue, which helped her send a demo tape to Brown after seeing him in concert in 1968.
- Her 1972 hit 'Think (About It)' was self-penned and became her biggest success, topping R&B charts and later boosting her fame via sampling and Patra's 1993 remake.
- Recorded first single 'Unlucky in Love' at age 14 with Charles Pike & The Scholars, leaping from local Texas group to James Brown's national revue.
Associated Acts
- The J.B.’s
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- James Brown - Discovered her via demo tape, produced her records, and shaped her into lead female vocalist in his revue with funk style tutelage ('Think (About It)', 'What My Baby Needs Now Is a Little More Lovin'', albums Think (About It) and Check Me Out If You Don't Know Me by Now) [1970-1976]
Key Collaborators
- James Brown - Lead female singer in James Brown Revue, co-producer on recordings and tours (James Brown Revue tours, singles like 'Wheel of Life', 'Just Won't Do Right', duet 'What My Baby Needs Now Is a Little More Lovin'') [1971-1976]
- Dionne Warwick - Backup session vocalist (Various recordings) [1970s-1980s]
- Rod Stewart - Backup session vocalist (Various recordings) [1970s-1980s]
- Patra - Guest performer on hit remake (Patra's remake of 'Think (About It)')
Artists Influenced
- Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - Sampled her vocal hook from 'Think (About It)' for their party rap classic ('It Takes Two') [1980s]
Connection Network
External Links
Tags: #rock-and-indie, #soul
References
Heard on WWOZ
Lyn Collins has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.