Born Erich Max Adolf Abraham in Berlin, he was second tenor of the famous German close-harmony ensemble The Comedian Harmonists, one of the most successful musical groups in Europe before World War 2. After his parents' divorce he used his mother's maiden name, Collin.
In 1935, he and the two other Jewish members of the group had to leave Germany. A new group was formed in Vienna, which enjoyed great success for a few years, including extensive tours through Russia, South America, South Africa and Australia, where they had planned to settle down. Tragically, they got stranded in the United States after a tour in 1940 when they couldn't return to Australia due to the naval war. The group performed for the last time in Richmond, Indiana, on May 1st 1940. In 1948/49 Collin toured Europe with a number of American musicians, including Jack Cathcart.
He died during appendicitis surgery.
In 1935, he and the two other Jewish members of the group had to leave Germany. A new group was formed in Vienna, which enjoyed great success for a few years, including extensive tours through Russia, South America, South Africa and Australia, where they had planned to settle down. Tragically, they got stranded in the United States after a tour in 1940 when they couldn't return to Australia due to the naval war. The group performed for the last time in Richmond, Indiana, on May 1st 1940. In 1948/49 Collin toured Europe with a number of American musicians, including Jack Cathcart.
He died during appendicitis surgery.
Born Erich Max Adolf Abraham in Berlin, he was second tenor of the famous German close-harmony ensemble The Comedian Harmonists, one of the most successful musical groups in Europe before World War 2. After his parents' divorce he used his mother's maiden name, Collin.
In 1935, he and the two other Jewish members of the group had to leave Germany. A new group was formed in Vienna, which enjoyed great success for a few years, including extensive tours through Russia, South America, South Africa and Australia, where they had planned to settle down. Tragically, they got stranded in the United States after a tour in 1940 when they couldn't return to Australia due to the naval war. The group performed for the last time in Richmond, Indiana, on May 1st 1940. In 1948/49 Collin toured Europe with a number of American musicians, including Jack Cathcart.
He died during appendicitis surgery.
In 1935, he and the two other Jewish members of the group had to leave Germany. A new group was formed in Vienna, which enjoyed great success for a few years, including extensive tours through Russia, South America, South Africa and Australia, where they had planned to settle down. Tragically, they got stranded in the United States after a tour in 1940 when they couldn't return to Australia due to the naval war. The group performed for the last time in Richmond, Indiana, on May 1st 1940. In 1948/49 Collin toured Europe with a number of American musicians, including Jack Cathcart.
He died during appendicitis surgery.
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