Busy Bill Collins started out on drums as a child and went through almost every instrument in the rhythm section before realizing what he really wanted to do was stand up front and sing. As a vocalist, he was behind a series of solo releases on the Chestnut and Zah Zah labels and was also part of the duo act Collins & Collins with his sister, a vocalist who goes by the stage name of Tonee Collins. Many people hear Collins' voice in the course of daily business, however, without even knowing it. Someone listening to a corporation's recorded phone introduction or directory might very well hear Collins reciting the options. It was their father, Mickey Collins, who can be credited with inspiring the brother and sister with music, though he undoubtedly couldn't predict all the possible resulting career opportunities.

As a young whippersnapper, Bill Collins was often featured whipping and snapping the beat in his dad's group, the Mickey Collins Orchestra. Maybe picking up the electric guitar was a form of teen rebellion; at any rate, it landed Bill gigs with several Philly R&B groups. Collins developed an interest in bass during this period, so he decided to create his own combo and fill the role of the bassist himself. This way, there would be no band leader to shout, "Hey, you! Get back on guitar! Or better yet, drums." The same rules applied to his efforts as a vocalist. Before long Collins joined the 'Lester Lanin Orchestra' out of New York City and started touring on an international basis. Collins was the shows bassist and featured vocalist. Somebody must have liked what he was doing, more precisely, someone with fake bunny ears attached to their heads. The multi-instrumentalist and band leader signed a deal with Playboy when the corporation had a string of busy clubs spread around the world. The new Collins band played every single one of these "bunny" clubs. Tonee, reportedly not wearing bunny ears, lured her brother away from this scenario for the Collins and Collins project for A&M Records in Hollywood. One self-titled album came out which would later attract the attention of reissue labels such as the Japanese P-Vine.   

The ensuing decades were quite delightful - Collins chumming up to Monte Carlo royalty and playing private gigs for the jet set in their palaces, or measly villas on a slow day. This lifestyle, combined with the era of servitude to Hugh Hefner, put him in the mindset to begin writing songs, although only a seer would be able to determine the proportions of guilt and pleasure. Soon, full albums of his original tunes began to appear, meticulously performed and produced. He also shared his talents with such bands as the 16-piece Joe Sudler Swing Machine, a Philadelphia jazz big-band. Bill would sneak away every-so-often to work with his own band, “The Bill Collins Group” performing in local clubs and Atlantic City Casino’s. Collins continues to lead his own band, featuring a repertoire of his original material. His baritone voice, once a background sound for swingers, can be heard on television and radio ads and even voice mail and business telephone directories. Bill has added “author” and poet to his many titles with a published children’s book, poetry works, essays, opinion editorials and more.   

Magically, the “Collins and Collins” album has recently re-surfaced in Europe and taken on a second life bigger than the first! The single from the album - Ashford & Simpson's "Top of the Stairs" has become the anthem for dance clubs and music lovers from London to Paris to Germany to Switzerland. As good friend, musician, and producer Len Pierro so accurately stated: "You just never know... It’s like recorded music takes on a life of its own." Nothing can be more true! As a result of this musical re-birth, Bill and sister Tonee have been inundated with European performance requests such as the very popular 'Baltic Soul Weekender' in Hamburg, Germany, 'Pinkpop', the Netherlands, and many more...
                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                                                    - Eugene Chadborne