Theodore Walter Rollins, was born on September 7, 1929, in New York City. Although an older brother played violin and, at the age of nine, he took piano lessons, Rollins was destined to play the saxophone. In 1944 he played alto saxophone in high school and when he left in 1947 he began gigging round New York on tenor. His first inspiration was Coleman Hawkins, but he was well aware of the beboppers, many of whom lived in his neighbourhood. His first recording date was with scat singer Babs Gonzales, for Capitol Records in 1948. Soon he was recording with Bud Powell, Fats Navarro, Fats and J.J. Johnson, who recorded his first composition, "Audubon". Rollins' assured version of Charlie Parker on tenor was embraced by the top jazz artists: in 1949 he played with Art Blakey, in 1950 with Tadd Dameron, in 1951 with Miles Davis, and in 1953 with helonious Monk. In 1954 Davis recorded with Rollins, including in the set three important Rollins compositions: "Airegin" (Nigeria backwards - a salute to the newly independent African state), "Oleo" and "Doxy" (all three are now established jazz classics). However, Rollins left for Chicago and Davis chose John Coltrane when he formed his new quintet.

In January 1956, when the Clifford Brown /Max Roach quintet lost its tenor (Harold Land) in Chicago, Rollins stepped in, and played with them for 18 months. After that, Rollins began leading his own groups. In May 1956 he recorded Tenor Madness for Prestige, with the Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones rhythm team from Coltrane's group. The title track consisted of a mighty "tenor battle'" with Coltrane himself, Rollins' melodious expansion contrasting with Coltrane's pressure-cooker angularity.

In April 1956 Rollins recorded Saxophone Colossus , generally regarded as his first masterpiece. However, the advent of Orneette Coleman caused a deal of self-reflection and he retired for two years (1959-60). In 1961 he re-emerged to work with Jim Hall, Jim and then with two musicians associated with Coleman: trumpeter don Cherry, and drummer Billy Higgins. Our Man In Jazz shows him taking on the new freedoms with confidence and passion; the 20-minute "Oleo" was a tour de force . He then toured as a soloist, using local rhythm sections (European tours in 1965, 1966 and 1967). In 1966 he recorded East Broadway Rundown with the Jimmy Garrison/Elvin Jones, rhythm section from Coltrane's classic quartet. The music, with its blistering title track and tremulous version of "We Kiss In A Shadow", was superb. That same year he wrote and recorded the soundtrack music for the Michael Caine movie masterpiece Alfie. He again took a two-year sabbatical (1968-71), this time studying in India and Japan.