Keith Collins, the original bassist of Savatage, is now the focus of a GoFundMe campaign aimed at helping him navigate dementia along with mounting financial and legal hurdles.
Long before this campaign, Collins had already cemented his place in Tampa Bay’s music history. He joined Savatage in 1981, back when the band was still known as Avatar, and remained with the group until 1985. In that stretch, he laid down bass on three of the band’s earliest records: Sirens, The Dungeons Are Calling (EP), and Power Of The Night.
Beyond Savatage, Collins built a reputation as a fixture of the local scene — founding Krunch, co-hosting the radio program “The Pit” on 98rock, publishing The Spike music magazine, and launching the Tampa Bay Metal Awards.
The campaign was set up by Glenn Dillman, who played alongside Collins in Krunch. In his appeal, Dillman laid out both the scope of Collins’s legacy and the urgency of his current situation:
“Keith Collins has been a driving force in the Tampa Bay music scene for decades. As the original bass player in Savatage, founder of Keith Collins Krunch, and co-host of ‘The Pit’ radio show on 98rock, Keith helped shape the rise of heavy metal music locally and worldwide. He also published The Spike music magazine and created the Tampa Bay Metal Awards, always working to support and uplift fellow musicians. Keith‘s passion and dedication have left a lasting impact on countless lives, including mine as one of his bandmates.
“Now, Keith is facing a difficult chapter. He is suffering from dementia and, due to circumstances early in his life, is unable to qualify for social security benefits that could help with his worsening condition. Without an income, Keith needs help with daily living expenses and, most importantly, legal assistance to establish his identity so he can finally access the benefits he deserves. This support is crucial for his well-being and peace of mind.
“Any help you can give will make a real difference for Keith during this challenging time. Your generosity will not only provide for his immediate needs but also help secure his future. Thank you for supporting someone who has given so much to the music community and to those around him.”
