Paul Collins

Paul Collins (born 1956-09-02 in Tucson, Arizona, United States) is an influential American musician, singer‑songwriter, and guitarist best known as the front‑man of the power‑pop group The Beat, later rebranded as The Paul Collins Beat. Growing up in a musical household, Collins absorbed the sounds of 1960s British Invasion bands and mid‑century American rock, which later informed his crisp, melodic songwriting style. In the mid‑1970s he moved to Los Angeles, where he co‑founded the seminal punk‑power‑pop trio The Nerves alongside Jack Lee and Peter Case, a band that achieved cult status despite releasing only one EP. After The Nerves disassembled, Collins founded The Beat in 1979, delivering catchy hooks and jangly guitars that helped shape the emerging New Wave scene; the group’s 1980 debut single “Hey Cute” became an anthem of the era. Over the decades Collins has released dozens of albums, both with his band and as a solo artist, consistently praised for his energetic live performances and unwavering commitment to melodic craftsmanship. His music has been featured in numerous films and television shows, further cementing his status as a staple of American pop‑rock history. Beyond recording, Collins has mentored younger musicians, championed independent touring circuits, and remained an outspoken advocate for artists’ rights. Today, more than four decades after his first recording, he continues to tour internationally, delighting audiences with both classic hits and fresh material, proving that his timeless pop sensibility endures. Collins’ legacy is marked by an unpretentious yet deeply resonant approach to songwriting that inspired countless bands in the 1980s and beyond, making him a cornerstone figure in the evolution of modern pop‑rock.