collins was born in rowley regis, staffordshire and grew up in willenhall and was recruited to join the charlatans in the late 1980s. the band's debut single "indian rope" was an indie hit, and led the way for their debut top ten single "the only one i know" in 1990. collins' swirling and layered psychedelic organ playing added an important and noted edge to the band's sound and placed the band apart from many of their baggy contemporaries and he was the band's main songwriter. rob collins recorded five successful albums with the band.