Alex Chilton passed away this evening (yesterday) in New Orleans. The former Big Star and Box Tops frontman was 59.
The Boxtops had a hit in 1967 with the Top 40 classic “The Letter”. Big Star never came close to commercial success during their brief tenure with Stax Records in the early to mid-70’s. Plagued by unsure marketing and abysmally poor distribution, the band was heard by few, save a handful of fawning critics. Yet, it was Big Star’s records that would be Chilton’s legacy, influencing hundreds of bands to follow. Among the bands that would cite Big Star as an influence included REM, Wilco, Whiskeytown, Teenage Fanclub, and The Replacements. The latter of whom would title a song on their 1987 record “Alex Chilton” after the cult hero.
Big Star reformed in 1993 and have toured sporadically since. Chilton was even slated to play at SXSW this week, but alas it was not to be. I have to admit, I have paid little to no attention to Chilton’s post Big Star work (probably to my detriment). However, Big Star’s debut #1 Record is one of the most beautiful records ever made, bar none. Chilton’s trio of ballads on that record, “The Ballad of El Goodo”, “Thirteen”, and “Watch the Sunrise”, make him a legend in my book. Â Rest in Peace Mr. Chilton, and thanks for the tunes.
About the author: Specializes in Dead, Drunk, and Nakedness..... Former College Radio DJ and Current Craft Beer Nerd