My memories of John (I don't know why, but I always called him John rather than Johnny) go back a long way. I first met him in either the mid 1960's or early '70s, can't remember for sure and I've long since lost the diary, when I arrived in the West country for a tour. In those days there was a federation that handled 2 geographically arranged tours,each one taking a different route around the area. There were plenty enough clubs for this in those days. On arriving at my first club I was surprised to find that the guest advertised was one Johnny Collins, someone I'd never heard of, and furthermore I thought I was the guest that night, and had a contract to prove it. We talked, compared notes, and found that we each had been booked on the same tour, neither of us knowing this in advance. There had obviously been some admin mix-up, but we sorted the problem amicably by each one taking the guest spot alternatively,whist introducing the other as a 'special floor spot',and dividing up the money afterwards. I was a non-driver, so John drove me in his van which happened to have a passenger seat unfastened to the floor. Hair -raising, but interesting journeys resulted. We became friends on that trip, and remained so ever after, He was recently out of the army and just starting to get himself known around the clubs. I was happy to help him do so for a man of such devotion to song, and such ability,belonged on the scene. Johnny Collins adorned our folk world with his music and personality for a long time, and we loved him. I can't help feeling that had he taken things more easily when his illness grew serious he might have stayed longer with us. But, he loved to perform, and he went out in harness, just the way he would have chosen I suspect. I have many other memories of my long association with the Pedlar of Songs,but they are for another time.   One thing is certain,I will never forget him.