Alex Chilton 1950-2010
Although Iman has already reported on this devastating news, I feel compelled to chime in on the passing of this awesome musician from an apparent heart attack at age 59.
Reportedly complaining about his health early yesterday, he was rushed to hospital by paramedics but his heart stopped in the interim and he could not be revived.
“I’m crushed. We’re all just crushed,” said John Fry, owner of Memphis’ Ardent Studios and a longtime friend of Chilton’s. “This sudden death experience is never something that you’re prepared for. And yet it occurs.”
I still can remember hearing “The Letter” growing up during my childhood. The Box Tops were much more than one hit wonders though, also scoring hits with “Cry Like A Baby” and the incredible “Soul Deep”.
After the Box Tops split up in 1970, he formed a new band in Memphis with kindred spirits Chris Bell, Andy Hummel and Jody Stephens. The band was called Big Star, named not after their aspirations or status but a southern grocery store chain.
The band released 2 albums in succession that went largely ignored at the time of their release, and a third one that sat on the shelf but released four years later. These records as Iman alluded to earlier are not only key templates of the power pop genre, they are essential sonic documents in the history of American music.
After Big Star disbanded, Chilton went solo before abandoning the music business altogether in the early ‘80’s, leaving Memphis for New Orleans. The interest in his music continued to grow however, with bands such as REM , The Replacements, The dB’s and dozens of others citing the “Big Star” records as key influences on not only their work, but on their decision to even form a band in the first place.
The cult reputation of Big Star grew to the point where during the early 1990’s, the group actually reunited, released a fourth album and played concerts right up until his death. In fact, Big Star had been booked to play a show this Saturday at the South By Southwest music festival in Austin, TX.
Quotes and remembrances from those close to him are flooding the internet this morning from fellow musicians and producers alike. Chilton is being remembered by his peers as a man with a keen sense of humor, a musician who played flawlessly despite limited technique, and a generous friend. “He was the only person on a record I’ve ever worked with where you’d come up with a horn arrangement, and he’d say, ‘Look, I’m going to make you guys a co-writer on the song now,'” said Jim Spake, who played sax on the most recent Big Star record.
Chilton is survived by his wife Laura, a son , Timothy, and a sister Cecilia.
As we at Rock NYC mourn his passing and reflect on his tremendous contribution to American music, we ask each of our readers to do the same in whatever fashion you deem appropriate.
For the uninitiated, we implore you to visit YouTube or your favorite video sharing site and type in “September Gurls” “Back Of A Car” “You Get What You Deserve”or “The Ballad Of El Goodo” so you can witness a glimpse of the artistry of which we speak.
R.I.P. Alex, and thank you for the music.