Albert Collins, also known as “The Master of the Telecaster”, “The Iceman” and “The Razor Blade”, was one of the most influential and original blues guitarists of all time. His distinctive style of playing, using altered tunings, a capo and a powerful attack, inspired generations of musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robert Cray and Eric Clapton. He was also a charismatic performer, who often walked through the audience with his long guitar cord, engaging them with his witty and humorous lyrics. He recorded dozens of albums and singles, and won several awards, including a Grammy for his collaboration with Cray and Johnny Copeland on the album Showdown in 1985. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1989 and received a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1995. However, his brilliant career was cut short by a bout with liver cancer that ended with his premature death on November 24, 1993. He was only 61 years old.
The Diagnosis and the Treatment
According to AllMusic, Collins first learned that he had cancer in July 1993, when he was hospitalized for pneumonia in Las Vegas, where he lived with his wife Gwendolyn. The doctors discovered that he had a large tumor in his liver, which had spread to his lungs. They gave him only a few months to live. Collins was shocked and devastated by the news, but he decided to fight the disease with all his strength. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, and tried alternative therapies, such as acupuncture and herbal medicine. He also continued to perform, despite his weakening condition, and even recorded a new album, Live ’92/’93, which captured some of his last concerts. He wanted to share his music and his love with his fans, who supported him with prayers and donations.
The Final Days and the Legacy
Collins’s health deteriorated rapidly in the fall of 1993. He was unable to finish his tour, and had to cancel his appearance at the Chicago Blues Festival. He spent his last days at his home in Las Vegas, surrounded by his family and friends. He died peacefully on November 24, 1993, the day before Thanksgiving. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered over the Nevada desert. His funeral was attended by hundreds of people, including many fellow musicians, who paid tribute to him with songs and speeches. His widow, Gwendolyn, established the Albert Collins Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to young blues artists. His music lives on in his recordings, which are still widely available and appreciated by fans and critics alike. He is remembered as one of the greatest blues guitarists of all time, and as a warm and generous human being, who touched many hearts with his soulful and joyful expression.
