b. Louis Collins, 7 April 1932, Indianola, Mississippi, USA, d. 19 September 1995. Collins moved to Chicago in 1946 and by the early 50s had settled in Detroit. His musical apprenticeship began in the time-honoured tradition with appearances at blues house parties, where he was often to be found in the company of Washboard Willie, John Lee Hooker, Vernon Harrison ‘Boogie Woogie Red’, Little Sonny and others. By the late 50s he had adopted the sobriquet Mr. Bo, at which time he released his first recordings. He issued singles on labels including Northern, Big D, Reel and Diamond Jim. His fluent guitar playing and steady, understated vocals impressed many, particularly on the original version of ‘If Trouble Was Money’, a song he co-wrote with his brother. Both Charlie Musselwhite and Albert Collins have subsequently covered the song. Though still playing regularly on the club scene, his profile diminished in the 70s and 80s. In 1993 a resurgence of interest in his original singles led to an appearance at the Blues Estafette in Holland, his first European appearance. He returned to the studio in 1995 for the first time in 20 years, as well as appearing in a local television advertisement. He died from pneumonia later that year before being able to reap the rewards of the new interest surrounding him.