hail and farewell Alex Chilton (Box Tops, Big Star)

[bama579]

The voice of "The Letter" and, later founder of Big Star.

"Alex Chilton, the pop hitmaker, cult icon and Memphis rock iconoclast best known as a member of 1960s pop-soul act the Box Tops and the 1970s power-pop act Big Star, died Wednesday at a hospital in New Orleans.

The singer, songwriter and guitarist was 59."

LINK: Memphis music loses ?Big Star? ? singer, songwriter Alex Chilton dies at 59 The Commercial Appeal

 

[derek4tide]

Without Alex and his influences, there would be no REM, Talking Heads, The Cramps, The Pixies, B-52s, The Cult, The Replacements, etc..... He was a true musical genius and innovator. He will be missed.:frown:



[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTSJYZyouek]YouTube - The Replacements - Alex Chilton[/ame]

 

[rizolltizide]

^
^

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

R.I.P. brother.

 

[bayoutider]

I met Alex once back in 1965 or 66 when he strolled into a music store I was in in Albany, Georgia.

 

[DiamondDust]

Never thought I'd see this on Deadspin, but an article about Alex Chilton's time in Tuscaloosa:

Getting High With Alex Chilton In Tuscaloosa, 1986-1990: An Oral History - Alex Chilton - Deadspin

 

[CrimsonProf]

Never thought I'd see this on Deadspin, but an article about Alex Chilton's time in Tuscaloosa:

Getting High With Alex Chilton In Tuscaloosa, 1986-1990: An Oral History - Alex Chilton - Deadspin

Was just about to post this. I could have sworn I knew part of that story - overheard in Vinyl Solutions, of course. So interesting, either way.

 

[rizolltizide]

Thanks for the link DD. That story brings back some great memories. Looking back on it I probably met that dude away from a show and didn't even realize it.

 

[derek4tide]

More good stuff being written about Alex:

Alex Chilton's life in New Orleans was a mystery, and that's how the Big Star singer wanted it | NOLA.com

On March 20, he planned to front Big Star for a high-profile showcase at the South By Southwest music conference in Austin, Tex., cementing the band’s relevance to yet another generation.