A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help founding SAVATAGE bassist Keith Collins, who is battling dementia.

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia ranges in severity from the mildest stage, when it is just beginning to affect a person’s functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person must depend completely on others for help with basic activities of daily living.

Keith‘s former KRUNCH bandmate Glenn Dillman, who started the GoFundMe, wrote in an introductory message: “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.”

Collins was a member of SAVATAGE from 1981 to 1985, having performed with the band in its earlier incarnation as AVATAR through SAVATAGE‘s first three albums, “Sirens”, “The Dungeons Are Calling” and “Power Of The Night”.

Building on the momentum from their 2015 Wacken triumph, SAVATAGE made international headlines in 2025 with their first headline shows since 2002. The European dates successfully reunited multiple generations of “The Legion” — longtime devotees experiencing long-awaited performances alongside newcomers discovering the band’s power for the first time.

SAVATAGE “Prelude To Madness” spring/summer 2026 tour dates:

June 3-6 – Sweden, Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock Festival*
July 19 – Istanbul, Turkey – Zorlu PSM Turkcell Sahnesi
July 21 – Bucharest, Romania – Arenele Romane Open Air (special guest: TROOPER)
July 23 – Plovdiv, Bulgaria – BE4 Hills*
July 25 – Athens, Greece – Release Festival*
July 27 – Pompeii, Italy – Amphitheatre of Pompeii (very special show with orchestra)
July 28 – Este, Italy – Castello Carrarese (special guest: VISION DIVINE)
July 30 – Wacken, Germany – Wacken Open Air*
August 1 – Tilburg, Netherlands – O13
August 3 – Pratteln, Switzerland – Z7 Open Air (special guest: NEVERMORE)
August 5 – Villena, Spain – Leyendas Del Rock*
August 7 – Kortrijk, Belgium – Alcatraz Festival*
August 8 – Hamburg, Germany – Elb-Riot*
August 9 – Geiselwind, Germany – Keep It True*
August 11 – Warsaw, Poland – Progresja (special guests: NEVERMORE and ARMORED SAINT)
August 12 – Leipzig, Germany – Parkbühne (special guest: NEVERMORE)
August 13 – Bonn, Germany – KUNST!RASEN (special guest: NEVERMORE)
August 15 – Moravský Krumlov, Czech Republic – Rock Castle*

* Festival appearance