Robert James Collins (23 February 1963 – 22 July 1996) was an English musician best known as the original keyboardist of The Charlatans.
Collins was born in Rowley Regis, Staffordshire and grew up in Willenhall and was recruited to join The Charlatans in the late 1980s.
[citation needed] Collins began to record keyboard and organ parts for The Charlatans' fifth album, Tellin' Stories, but was killed in a car crash on 22 July 1996, just before sessions were completed.
Collins' death occurred some three weeks before The Charlatans' biggest concert to date; supporting Oasis at Knebworth.
Oasis's lead singer Liam Gallagher said "live forever, mate" as a dedication to Collins and introduction to their song "Cast No Shadow".