John Collins, not to be confused with anyone else in the music business with this name, including Nat King Cole's guitarist, performed special duties for Alaska in the mid-'80s. No, Collins was not the assistant governor of the frozen state, but worked for a heavy metal band named Alaska, which originally birthed a total of two albums. For Heart of the Storm, Collins is credited with designing the band's logo, in this genre rated almost as importantly as creating a hit record. The following year, Collins saw his status upgraded to "direction" for the Pack album. NARAS reps may bicker, but this credit at a recording session could conceivably mean giving directions to bass player Brian Badhams, suggesting a decrease in Collins' importance since his days as a logo Lazarus. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, All Music Guide