Plymouths Mr Music

"Don Collins"

1936---2006

Don Collins was a popular entertainer, who lived in Efford for many many years. His final performance was played to a full house at Emmanuell Church Manamead in Plymouth.
Dons funeral was a celebration of his life, I was there! & it was indeed a most fiiting final curtain. Listen to dons last performance Click here to here him sing "Maybee this time" may take 5 mins on a slow speed connection.

There is a CD with 4 songs sung by Don & a DVD called "Our Don" which is a celebtation
of his life" available from His sister Maureen on 01752 214498. CD £4.00 & DVD £5.00
all the proceeds of these will as ever go to The childrens Hospice Southwest

See more photos of Don 1 .... 2 ..

Plymouth's 'premier singer' Don Collins has died of leukaemia, aged 70.The ballad and swing singer, who sang concerts across the UK, lost his battle in Cornwall - but he told his fans to 'keep laughing'.

Known for his shows at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth Pavilions and clubs around the city, he was known as 'Plymouth's Mr Music'.

Mr Collins, whose real name was Collings, died at his sister's home in Penryn, Cornwall, last Thursday, after nine months suffering with myeloid leukaemia. During a colourful career, Don - who was born in St Judes - sang on the QE2 and also appeared on the BBC's New Faces programme.

His funeral will be held at Emmanuel Church, Mannamead, at 1pm on Monday.

Full tributes in tomorrow's Evening Herald. Below

06 October 2006
Tributes have been flooding in for Plymouth's 'premier singer', who has died of leukaemia, aged 70.

Ballad and swing singer Don Collins - real name Don Collings - died on Thursday last week but friends, family and fans have been paying tribute to 'Plymouth's Mr Music' ever since.

Known for his shows at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth Pavilions and clubs around the city, he was an immensely popular man who, say friends, will be greatly missed.

Mr Collins died at his sister's home in Penryn, Cornwall, after nine months suffering with myeloid leukaemia.

He was born in St Judes in 1936 and lived in the area until the age of 12. He attended Prince Rock and Laira Green primary schools before going to Widey Technical College, in Crownhill.

After leaving school, he worked as a telephone engineer for British Telecom and, in the 1960s, joined the Royal Air Force.

In 1960 he was one of only five men to gain a special RAF commendation for 'outstanding services and devotion to duty'.

He stayed in the RAF for seven years and often sang for his comrades, and on quitting its ranks decided he would go into the world of showbiz.

He sang at concerts across the UK during his life. His sister Maureen Stevens, 72, said he had first sung at the age of six. She said: "He had a beautiful voice. I took him to the cinema in Plymouth and promised I would tap dance if he sang.

"He sang I Left My Heart In An English Garden - I never tap danced! From then on, he was destined to become a singer."

Don performed aboard the QE2 and also appeared on the BBC's New Faces programme. He worked closely with the Greek community in Plymouth and was billed as 'Plymouth's Mr Music' and 'Plymouth's Answer to Tom Jones'.

Some of his favourite numbers were Tom Jones' Delilah and If I Were A Rich Man from the musical Fiddler on the Roof.

His favourite place to sing was at the Olympic Club, which used to be in Union Street. He would often sing with the Bill Jenkins Trio. He also played many times with organist Ken Colton and drummer Gordon Clarke.

Mrs Stevens said: "He was also a great charity worker. He helped me raise thousands of pounds for the Children's Hospice South West by staging shows at Plymouth Pavilions and the Theatre Royal.

"He was a professional singer who was devoted to Plymouth. It was his home for many years. He wanted me to pass on a message - 'Keep laughing and love each other.'"

Don Collins leaves three sisters and a brother, who all live in Devon or Cornwall.

Ken Colton, 73, said: "I have never known a finer singer and a kinder man. I'm totally devastated."

Gordon Clarke, 77, added: "The South West has lost a real talent. He is terribly missed already."

His funeral will be held at Emmanuel Church, in Mannamead, at 1pm on Monday, and everyone who knew him is invited.

A CD of his music is also available from Mrs Stevens, sold in aid of Children's Hospice South West. Call her on 01752 214498.

3 October 2006