During the golden age of soul, Oakland never produced a bigger star than Rodger Collins. When he headlined the Showcase on Telegraph Avenue, he tore up the crowds as much as the other big-name acts that came through the room -- Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, Ike and Tina Turner. And he cut a record that, if the country had heard it, would have made Rodger Collins an authentic contender. "She's Looking Good" was not just another half-baked soul side that never got any further than No. 101, "bubbling under" Billboard's Hot 100. The track was a certified, stone-in-the- groove, drop-dead classic that never got a fair hearing. Where it was played - - including in the Bay Area -- the record was a smash. It vied for the top of playlists on local Top 40 stations with the Rolling Stones, the Monkees and Buffalo Springfield in the early weeks of 1967, a heady time for pop music on the radio. While in high school Collins gain notice of Margerie Steel and Huntington Hartford where he won a Four year scholarship studied drama at the Actor's Laboratory in San Francisco where he studied under Mara Alexander Gilbert. Soon he gained the attention of Fantasy Records where he wrote and recorded the Blockbuster classic hit "She's Lookin' Good" Rolling Stone noticed his other great classic, the little-known "Foxy Girl in Oakland" ("From every possible aspect, this disc is incredible ...").
Rodger Collins was recently invited & honored behind the walls of the prestgious Bohemian Club,for music coming out of San Francisco.
Rodger, very very cool. Than you for including me into your circle. I'd like to hear more. The early cuts sound exciting. Stay creative and hope you find all the success you seek. Darren, Ontario, Canada.
In 1971-1972, I was a session guitarist at Fantasy/Galaxy Records, and had the good fortune to record on Rodger's track, "Back In The Country". I have searched high and low for decades for this track and others, including songs by JJ Malone, all produced by Jesse Osgood, a brilliant bay area producer at the time. I would love to hear the track after all of these years. I am honored to be added here. Thank you, I wish you all the best!
†♣LOVE &
MUZIK 
