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Johnny Collins, a native of the
county of Norfolk
but now based in
London, England, is
a well travelled
performer
specialising in the
singing of shanties,
sea songs and
maritime ballads. An
internationally
acclaimed performer
and recording artist,
Johnny has organised
Folk clubs and
topped the bill in
concerts around the
world since the
mid-fifties: his
vigorous style and
his supreme ability
to persuade
audiences to join in
choruses is
unrivalled.
Known as "Shanty Jim" for many years, his
knowledge of sea
songs, infectious
enthusiasm, and
powerful singing
made him the obvious
choice to set up a
Tyneside shanty
group. The first
influence on him was
Louis Killen,
resident at the
Bridge in Newcastle
in 1963, where Jim
started singing. A
little later he met
"The Master", Stan
Hugill, a man who is
almost
single-handedly
responsible for the
high profile of
shantys in the folk
revival. In 1975, he
moved to London
where he was
resident at several
excellent clubs,
notably Dingle's,
the Herga, and The
Cellar in C Sharp
House. He also
teamed up with
Johnny Collins to
create a formidable
singing duo which is
still on the road
after 25 years.
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Foto: Jim Mageean |
