Big Bill Collins

Born: April 5th, 1935 Died: February 14, 2011. Albert "Big Bill" Collins was a legendary Chicago Blues DJ and record producer. He ran a after-hours blues radio show on WNIB where he would use his well-loved slogan "Big Bill Collins, down in the basement, sittin' up here on an old beat-up orange crate". His down home approach, which often included numerous dedications, and ad skits, was nothing less than pure charm. He also managed and recorded blues singer Bonnie Lee and others. His labels were Big Boy Records (7) and Black Beauty Records. He was especially prominent in the 1970s and '80s.