Paul Collins was a founding member of The Nerves, a legendary underground rock group from 1974-77. (Other legendary rock groups formed in 1974, including Blondie, The Ramones, Radio Birdman and The Dictators). The Nerves were a 3-piece band featuring the talents of Jack Lee, Peter Case (The Plimsouls) and Paul Collins (The Beat). Aside from touring with The Ramones, The Nerves funded their own recordings without a record deal. The Nerves originally recorded the song Hanging On The Telephone, which was leter covered by Deborah Harry and Blondie on the chart topping "Parallel Lines" album.