Artist:Albert Collins & The Icebreakers
Song:If You Love Me (Like You Say)
Album:Live '92/93
Blues guitarist Albert Collins was known as The Iceman and The Master Of The Telecaster. After years of obscurity, he built a strong fanbase in the 80s and was still going strong when he died in 1993. He was born Oct. 1, 1932 in Leona, TX and moved with his family to Houston at age 7. He started out playing keyboards like his idol Jimmy McGriff but by age 18 had switched to guitar. He was hanging out in clubs with his cousin Lightnin' Hopkins and others and forged his own playing style. He also did "guitar walks" in the audience. That's a crowd pleaser. He recorded regionally with his band The Rhythm Rockers in 1958 but really hit it big with the 1962 million seller Frosty on the Hall-Way label. Supposedly Janis Joplin & Johnny Winter were in the studio when it was recorded and Collins said Joplin predicted that it would be a smash. Jimi Hendrix also cited Collins as a major influence. He continued to perform part time while working day jobs until Bob "The Bear" Hite of Canned Heat got him a contract with Imperial Records in 1968. Collins started opening for rock acts and this got him a lot more exposure. He moved to Tumbleweed Records but they went broke in 1973. Collins continued to tour but got a big break when signed to Bruce Iglauer's Alligator Records in 1977. This stability allowed Collins to build a strong following through the 80s. Maybe you saw him in the film Adventures In Babysitting. Collins signed with Pointblank/Virgin Records in 1989. 92/93 Live is a collection of concert performances and is recommended to blues fans. Albert Collins was still in demand and showed no signs of slowing down when he died of liver cancer on Nov. 24, 1993 at age 61. Here's Albert Collins performing If You Love Me (Like You Say) in Mt. Fuji 1992.
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