Wow, that is a huge blow, Alex wrote/co-wrote and sang some of the greatest,most beautiful rock and roll ever. Although he was quite dismissive of his own musical legacy, particularly Big Star, he touched an awful lot of people. RIP.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-03-18 06:27 by andrewm.
"I'm in love, what's that song? I'm in love, with that song..."
Paul Westerberg, "Alex Chilton"
"The Letter" is one of the great rock singles of all time. Hard to believe that gruff Memphis soul voice was 16 years old. I bought an electric sitar just so my band could play "Cry Like A Baby".
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010-03-18 08:00 by 71Tele.
Very very sad news. A real maverick and power pop genius songwriter. Alex never got the credit for the incredibly talented songwriter he was, always on the periphery but never at forefront. And I guess that's the way he liked it. That demon life sure held him in its sway. God bless you Alex. Gonna be playing the first three Big Star albums big time today.
In July 2009 Big Star played a rare London gig, supporting Tindersticks at the ‘Serpentine Sessions’ three-night event held in Hyde Park. With only 55 minutes onstage the band were forced to play to their strengths with the result that the set-pacing problems exhibited at the August 2008 Shepherds Bush gig were absent and the band were in fine form. After the gig we chatted to John Fry about the box set and about the plans for Rhino Handmade to issue an expanded version of Chris Bell’s I Am The Cosmos CD. The ever-amenable Jody Stephens came over to say hello but then headed off for an early night since he had to be up at 430am for the plane back to Memphis. Part-time Big Stars Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow were nowhere to be seen but lo and behold Alex was hanging out in the outdoor bar, complete with Diet Coke and a cigarette holder - dry, wry, urbane – the James Stewart of Rock’n’Roll. Alex belied his reputation by being excellent company. He has no plans to write or record new material, feeling with the record industry in the state it‘s in at present there’s not much point, plus he only really writes songs to a deadline. A discussion on royalties revealed that Alex does now get money from sales of the three Big Star records, but that this is dwarfed by royalties earnt by the use of ”In The Street” and other tracks in That Seventies Show on US television. Alex confessed that what he is really into at present is baroque and that he would like to do some composing, possibly for a film soundtrack. Only when conversation turned to Bruce Eton’s new book on Radio City did Alex get narked on the basis that Bruce had included personal stuff in the book that they had agreed was off-limits.
AH MAN I FEEL TERRIBLE! I loved Alex! Saw him with the Box Tops in 1969....what a soulful voice. Rest In Peace, Alex, you will be missed more than you'll know.
wow what a diamond talent. sigh gone too young. one of those super special bands, like the velvets only in that a thousands of bands started in each of their tracks...how could he be only 16 when cutting 'the letter' a radio staple of my youth....? the real deal right there...rest in glorious peace rock soldier...
Won't you let me walk you home from school Won't you let me meet you at the pool Maybe Friday I can Get tickets for the dance And I'll take you
Won't you tell your dad, "Get off my back" Tell him what we said 'bout "Paint It, Black" Rock 'n Roll is here to stay Come inside where it's okay And I'll shake you
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of Would you be an outlaw for my love If it's so, well, let me know If it's "no", well, I can go I won't make you