for those who are interessted, here is an edited article from your fav mag:
Alex Chilton, singer and guitarist of Big Star, one of the most
influential rock groups to emerge from the early 1970s, has passed away
at the age of 59. Chilton reportedly suffered a heart attack today in
New Orleans, just days before Big Star were scheduled to perform at the
SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.
Chilton began his musical career in his teens as a member of the Box
Tops before returning to his native Memphis to form Big Star with
guitarist/co-songwriter Chris Bell, drummer Jody Stephens and bassist
Andy Hummel. Blending power pop with the sound of the Beatles and the
Beach Boys, Big Star were critically acclaimed but largely ignored
commercially. In their short time together in the early-’70s — though
Bell exited the band after #1 Record, Hummel after Radio City
— Big Star only released three studio albums, but what three incredible
albums they were: 1972’s #1 Record, 1974’s Radio City and
1978’s dark but beautiful Third/Sister Lovers all placed on Rolling
Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and their classic
tracks “Thirteen” and “September Gurls” both made the 500 Greatest
Songs of All Time.
While they only lasted a few years, Big Star’s impact continues to
reverberate decades later. R.E.M. and the Replacements both named Big
Star and Alex Chilton as major influences, and the Replacements’ Pleased
to Meet Me features a song titled “Alex Chilton.” Chilton became a
cult musical icon, and artists as diverse as Beck, Wilco, Elliott Smith,
R.E.M., Cheap Trick, Jeff Buckley, Garbage, Bat For Lashes and
Whiskeytown have covered Big Star’s songs. Renewed interest in the
band’s music led to a reunion of sorts in the early ’90s and a new album
in 2005’s In Space, which featured two members of the Posies,
Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer. Just last year, a box set celebrating Big
Star’s entire catalog, Keep an Eye on the Sky was released.
back at David Fricke’s review of Big Star’s last New York City concert.
“It’s not like I’m a ‘big star’ constantly getting noticed, but I do
get recognized,” Chilton told Rolling Stone in 2000 of the fame
that eluded Big Star during their first years together. “What’s nice is
that the people in my neighborhood just know me as Alex. It’s funny,
because I spent so much of my life moving from place to place and I went
through a few dark periods, but in the last few years I’ve kind of
settled down.” Chilton is survived by his wife Laura and son Timothy.
sexmachine wrote:
for those who are interessted, here is an edited article from your fav mag:
Alex Chilton, singer and guitarist of Big Star, one of the most
influential rock groups to emerge from the early 1970s, has passed away
at the age of 59. Chilton reportedly suffered a heart attack today in
New Orleans, just days before Big Star were scheduled to perform at the
SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.
Chilton began his musical career in his teens as a member of the Box
Tops before returning to his native Memphis to form Big Star with
guitarist/co-songwriter Chris Bell, drummer Jody Stephens and bassist
Andy Hummel. Blending power pop with the sound of the Beatles and the
Beach Boys, Big Star were critically acclaimed but largely ignored
commercially. In their short time together in the early-’70s — though
Bell exited the band after #1 Record, Hummel after Radio City
— Big Star only released three studio albums, but what three incredible
albums they were: 1972’s #1 Record, 1974’s Radio City and
1978’s dark but beautiful Third/Sister Lovers all placed on Rolling
Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, and their classic
tracks “Thirteen” and “September Gurls” both made the 500 Greatest
Songs of All Time.
While they only lasted a few years, Big Star’s impact continues to
reverberate decades later. R.E.M. and the Replacements both named Big
Star and Alex Chilton as major influences, and the Replacements’ Pleased
to Meet Me features a song titled “Alex Chilton.” Chilton became a
cult musical icon, and artists as diverse as Beck, Wilco, Elliott Smith,
R.E.M., Cheap Trick, Jeff Buckley, Garbage, Bat For Lashes and
Whiskeytown have covered Big Star’s songs. Renewed interest in the
band’s music led to a reunion of sorts in the early ’90s and a new album
in 2005’s In Space, which featured two members of the Posies,
Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer. Just last year, a box set celebrating Big
Star’s entire catalog, Keep an Eye on the Sky was released.
back at David Fricke’s review of Big Star’s last New York City concert.
“It’s not like I’m a ‘big star’ constantly getting noticed, but I do
get recognized,” Chilton told Rolling Stone in 2000 of the fame
that eluded Big Star during their first years together. “What’s nice is
that the people in my neighborhood just know me as Alex. It’s funny,
because I spent so much of my life moving from place to place and I went
through a few dark periods, but in the last few years I’ve kind of
settled down.” Chilton is survived by his wife Laura and son Timothy.
I like your name. I'm an adult film producer. If you are 18 or older, I can get some "gigs" for you. Haha.
R.E.M. and Cheap Trick (at a time) were/are just as 'big' as Queen. Bands/musicians don't have to be wicked popular or have a ton of albums to be influential.