Rodger Collins

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Rodger Collins | image =  | birth_name = Rogers Collins Jr. | alias = Hajji Rajah Kasim Sabrie | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1940|8|20}} | birth_place = Santa Anna, Texas, U.S. | origin = Oakland, California, U.S. | instrument = Vocals | genre = R&B, soul | occupation = Singer | years_active = c.1960–1974, 2000s | label = Galaxy, Garden Tree | associated_acts = | website = {{URL|www.rodgercollins.com}} }}

'''Rodger Collins Jr.''' (born August 20, 1940),<ref name="bare">{{cite book| first1= Bob| last1= Eagle| first2= Eric S.| last2= LeBlanc| year= 2013| title= Blues – A Regional Experience| publisher= Praeger Publishers| location= Santa Barbara| pages=341 | isbn= 978-0313344237}}</ref> also known as '''Hajji Rajah Kasim Sabrie''', is an American soul and funk singer and musician.

==Biography== Collins was born in Santa Anna, Texas, moving to San Francisco, California as a teenager.<ref name="bare"/> He won a talent show in Oakland, before studying drama in San Francisco. He sang in clubs, and in the early 1960s was signed by Fantasy Records, who issued his records on their subsidiary Galaxy label.<ref name=selvin>[http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/One-record-gave-singer-Rodger-Collins-a-taste-of-2783940.php Joel Selvin, "One record gave singer Rodger Collins a taste of fame, but no fortune. ...", ''SFGate'', March 9, 2004]. Retrieved November 14, 2016</ref> Although his first two singles were unsuccessful, his third record, "She's Looking Good", written by Collins and arranged by Ray Shanklin, reached number 44 on the ''Billboard'' R&B chart and number 101 on the pop chart in 1966.<ref name="whitburnr&b">{{cite book |title= Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942–1995|last=Whitburn |first=Joel |authorlink=Joel Whitburn |year=1996 |publisher=Record Research |page=38}}</ref> The song was later a bigger hit for Wilson Pickett, and was also recorded by David Lee Roth, and by Jack Mack and the Heart Attack for the 1985 movie ''Tuff Turf''.<ref>[https://www.discogs.com/Various-Tuff-Turf-The-Original-Soundtrack/release/2203753 "Tuff Turf – The Original Soundtrack", ''Discogs.com'']. Retrieved November 14, 2016</ref>

Collins' other notable recordings included, in 1970, "Foxy Girls in Oakland", written by Joe Crane of the Hoodoo Rhythm Devils; and "You Sexy Sugar Plum" released on Fantasy Records in 1973.<ref name=discogs>{{cite web|title=Rodger Collins Discography at Discogs|url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Rodger+Collins|publisher=discogs|accessdate=March 31, 2011}}</ref> The latter track peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart when reissued in 1976 in response to demand on the northern soul scene.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 116}}</ref> Collins was noted for his energetic performances, which included a stint opening for Elvis Presley and Ike & Tina Turner in Las Vegas, Nevada in the mid-1970s. He also wrote songs recorded by other singers, including Charles Brown and Sugar Pie DeSanto.<ref name=selvin/>

After touring with Joe Tex, Collins converted to Islam, and changed his name to Rajah Kasim Sabrie. He largely retired from performing in 1974, later establishing an appliance repair business in Oakland. He also set up Garden Tree Music to release his own recordings, issuing the albums ''Through My Eyes'' (2009) and ''Just One More Time'' (2013).<ref name=selvin/><ref>[http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/RodgerCollins Rodger Collins discography, ''CDBaby.com'']. Retrieved November 14, 2016</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.rodgercollins.com/index.html Official website] * [http://www.soulfulkindamusic.net/rcollins.htm Discography]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collins, Rodger}} Category:1940 births Category:Living people Category:American soul musicians Category:American funk musicians Category:Musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area Category:People from Santa Anna, Texas