27/07/2026
John E. Collins rip 🙏🏽
Detroit techno legend John "Jammin" Collins has died.
Michigan-based collective Detroit Techno Militia confirmed Collins' death via a Facebook post yesterday (July 26), writing: "It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we must announce the passing of our friend, mentor, and Detroit legend, DJ John 'Jammin' Collins."
"To Dennis, Javier and the rest of John's family, please accept our deepest condolences. We love you all," the post continues. "John, thank you for everything. Words can never say how much we owe you and how much we love you. Rest well, dear friend." No cause of death has been confirmed at the time of writing.
Born and raised in Detroit, Collins was a pioneering figure within the city's techno scene from the early '80s, when he took up a residency at Cheeks nightclub alongside Jeff Mills. As part of his work with local radio stations WJLB and WDRQ, Collins would broadcast live from Detroit's The Warehouse until the early '90s.
Collins is primarily known for his two-decade-long affiliation with Underground Resistance, working with co-founder Mike Banks at storied imprint Submerge Recordings to provide administrative support to the label alongside working as a DJ. In 2009, he shared his four-track EP 'Yeah' under the moniker DJ John Collins via Underground Resistance.
It was with Submerge that Collins would help found Exhibit 3000, the world's first techno museum in Detroit, where he acted as a tour guide and educator for visitors around the city's electronic music heritage.
In a statement shared via Instagram, Underground Resistance said: "We have lost a true, relentless soldier of the underground. John Collins did it all. An ambassador for Detroit in every way. We pay tribute to him through his record UR-080 'All we need'".
