Another sad day for music... Alex Chilton died Wednesday in New Orleans of an apparent heart attack. Chilton has inspired some of the greatest artists of our time--Tom Petty, The Replacements, R.E.M. and Wilco, just to name a few. One of the first authors of power pop music, he (alongside another talented songwriter, Chris Bell) lead Memphis rock band Big Star from 1971 to 1974, releasing two critically-acclaimed albums. He cut his teeth with blue-eyed soulsters, The Box Tops and met with success on the chart-topping single "The Letter" in 1967 when Alex was only sixteen years old.
The powerfully influential #1 Record came out in 1972, featuring "The Ballad of El Goodo", "Feel", and "Thirteen". Their exuberant follow-up, Radio City, was released in 1974 and included memorable entries "September Gurls", "O My Soul", and "Back of a Car". The band broke up shortly after, stemming from tension among members of the band caused from lack of commercial success due to poor promotion and distribution from Stax Records.
In 1978, the nihilistic Third/Sister Lovers was released. Despite attracting the attention from fans upon its release, the record did little, as far as sales. On December 27th of that year (one day before Chilton's 28th birthday), former founding member Chris Bell died in a tragic car accident. This came shortly after Third/Sister Lovers hit shelves.
Chilton and original drummer Jody Stephens reunited Big Star in 1993 with guitarist Jon Auer and bassist Ken Stringfellow of The Posies. This incarnation put out the record In Space in September of 2005 on Rykodisc. Several well-received performances followed, as well as the issuing of a compilation disc, a box set, and the remastered version of a double album consisting of the first two records in the Big Star catalog.
Alex Chilton was readying himself for an upcoming performance at this year's SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas. But, it seems that Alex has already played his last show...
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I put #1 Record on as soon as I got home and have let it track straight through. There's an incredible energy to each track, whether it be the intimate reflection of the acoustic performances or the rumbling affair of the guitar-driven rock songs. I can't get over how incredible the instruments sound. I'm amazed every time I cue up "Feel" or "Don't Lie To Me".
It is no secret that Alex has thrown down the gauntlet with his incredible contribution to pop/rock music. He was fiercely overlooked. But his legacy will live on in the music he has composed and the artists that he has influenced.
Alex Chilton, we miss you very much.
The Ballad of El Goodo - Big Star
September Gurls - Big Star
I'm In Love With A Girl - Big Star
Thank You Friends (demo) - Big Star
Thirteen (Big Star cover) - Elliott Smith
Alex Chilton - The Replacements
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