Categories:
This biography was written by Dave Matthews. He kindly gave his permission to repost the biography here. This biography was originally posted on Dave's wonderful Professionals-website. Please visit his site, it's the best source for every Professionals-fan out there on the net.
Many other people contributed information for this bio, among them Sandy Hereld, Karen Kaufmann, Nicola Wood, Sue Sandy, Kim Richardson, Nickie Moran, DanaJeanne and "GC".
Please do NOT repost this biography elsewhere without Dave's permission! Thanks!
Biography
by Dave MatthewsLewis Collins was born on 27th May 1946 in Birkenhead, England. As a youngster he developed an interest in sports shooting and won several marksmanship tournaments, often competing against adults. His father Bill knew Paul McCartney's family and occasionally acted as road manager for The Beatles. Although adept on drums, Lewis turned down the chance to replace original drummer Pete Best in 1961, believing that there was more money to be made in hairdressing! Taking up an apprenticeship in Andre Bernard's Liverpool salon (alongside Mike McCartney), "Mr Lewis" - as the staff called him - appeared to enjoy the work but cast an envious eye towards the burgeoning success of The Fab Four and decided to take up the guitar. Quitting the salon after three years, Lewis enjoyed brief stints in a string of amateur Merseyside bands including jazz-rock group The Eyes, The Renegades, Kansas City Five and The Georgians.
In December 1964 Lewis joined The Mojos as bassist. Although personnel changed frequently within the group, this was to be one of its most stable periods. Previous incarnations had already released a number of singles, notably March 1964's 'Everything's Alright', which reached number nine in the charts.
Although the high-life beckoned (and Lewis recalls being chauffered around in a Rolls-Royce for a time!) the group was pretty much a spent force and Lewis left in late 1966 - the band folding for good the following year.
During his time Lewis passed his driving test and acquired an old van that had been used by the band. He nicknamed it 'Dumbo' because the sliding cab doors were only secured at the top and careering around at high speed corners would cause them swing out and up just like the Disney character's ears!
