Edwyn Collins (born August 23, 1959 in Edinburgh)
is a Scottish
musician.
He formed the musical group Nu-Sonics in
1976, which became Orange Juice in 1979.
Critically admired within independent rock circles, Orange
Juice is perhaps best known for the #8 hit "Rip It Up",
their only major UK Top 40 single and biggest commercial
success. In 1985, Orange Juice disbanded, and Collins has since then
pursued a solo career.
Collins is best known for his 1994
hit single, "A Girl Like You", which was a big
hit in both the UK and the US and was featured in the films Empire
Records and Charlie's Angels:
Full Throttle, and for "Magic Piper of Love", a
1997 single that featured on the soundtrack of Austin
Powers: International Man of Mystery.
Collins's music is mostly electric
guitar-driven pop.
His songwriting and vocal delivery range from the acerbically satirical to the
soulfully tender - though he is probably better known for the former.
He built his own studio in 1994 and produced his own third
solo album, Gorgeous George.
He has also worked extensively as a producer with other artists,
including The Proclaimers, A House, The
Cribs, and Little Barrie.
Collins also produced and starred in the Channel 4
sitcom West Heath Yard.
Personal life
Collins lives with his wife, Grace Maxwell, who is also his
manager. The couple, who live in London, have one son.
In a BBC 6 Music radio interview on February
18, 2005,
Collins had said he felt unwell, but ascribed the nausea and vertigo
to food
poisoning. Two days later he was admitted to intensive
care in London's Royal Free Hospital after
apparently suffering a major cerebral
haemorrhage. On February 25, he underwent an operation,
reportedly after suffering a second haemorrhage. The procedure was
successful, and Collins is currently working on a lengthy programme of
neurological rehabilitation.
It was announced in June 2007 that Collins would be releasing
his sixth solo album in September 2007 on Heavenly Records entitled Home Again. The
album was recorded before his accident but mixed after his discharge
from hospital.
Solo discography
- Hope and Despair
- Demon,
1989
- Hellbent on Compromise
- Diablo, 1990
- Gorgeous George
- Setanta,
1994, UK No. 8
- I'm Not Following You
- Epic,
1997, UK No. 55
- Doctor Syntax
- Setanta,
2002
- A Casual
Introduction 1981/2001 (collection of Orange
Juice and solo work) - Setanta 2002
- Home Again
- Heavenly Records, 2007
External links
