Edwyn Collins
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| Edwyn Collins | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Edwyn Stephen Collins |
| Born | 23 August 1959 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Genre(s) | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician. |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, electric guitar |
| Associated acts | Nu-Sonics, Orange Juice |
| Website | www.edwyncollins.com |
Edwyn Stephen Collins (born 23 August 1959 in Edinburgh) is a Scottish musician.
Contents |
[edit] Career
He formed the musical group Nu-Sonics in 1976, which became Orange Juice in 1979. Critically admired within independent rock circles, Orange Juice are perhaps best known for the number 8 hit single 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' 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.
[edit] Personal life
Collins lives with his wife, Grace Maxwell, who is also his manager. The couple, who live in London, have one son, William, who is also his father's webmaster.[1]
In a BBC 6 Music radio interview on 18 February 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 hemorrhage. On 25 February, he underwent an operation, reportedly after suffering a second hemorrhage. The procedure was successful, and Collins is currently working on a lengthy program of neurological rehabilitation.[2] He has right sided weakness affecting his hand and arm which prevents him from playing the guitar, and also affecting his gait.
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 illness but mixed after his discharge from hospital.
Edwyn Collins is still on the road to recovery, and he has recently returned to singing live, including playing a gig at The Arts Theatre in London.
A BBC Artworks Scotland documentary Edwyn Collins:Home Again was broadcast on 19th May 2008. Filmed during 2007 it followed his progress in recovering from his illness and his first return to live performance at the BBC Electric Proms.
[edit] 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, UK No. 90
