Tim Burgess, frontman of The Charlatans, has written a tribute marking 30 years since the death of the band's keyboardist Rob Collins, who was killed in a car crash on 22 July 1996 at the age of 33. Collins was a founding influence on the band's sound throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, and his death came as The Charlatans were completing their fifth album and approaching the height of their fame, making the anniversary a significant moment of reflection for Burgess and the wider UK music scene.

Collins died just before finishing sessions for the album 'Tellin' Stories' at Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, and his loss was mourned widely, including by Liam Gallagher, who dedicated Oasis's 'Cast No Shadow' to him during that summer's Knebworth shows, which The Charlatans supported. In his written tribute, Burgess recalls Collins as an "older brother" figure and gifted Hammond organ player, describing shared experiences including a 1993 prison stint after an unrelated incident, songwriting sessions that produced tracks such as 'Sproston Green', and fishing trips with Mani of The Stone Roses.