The man had a heartbreaking voice. Only just below the top talent of the preceding era (Stones, Dylan, Reed, Lennon, etc.) Chilton ranks among the most brilliant of rock and rolls the second tier geniuses. Can’t believe he’s dead.
Another legend bites the dust, then. He was younger than me, too – makes me feel grateful I never took that rock-life path. His legacy will endure, of course. Apart from listening to his music, anyone really wanting to get inside Chilton’s head should read It Came From Memphis by Robert Gordon, the brilliantly-written story of that city’s alternative (ie. white) music scene – no Elvis, Booker T or Al Green but plenty of Chilton, Jim Dickinson, Spooner Oldham and their contemporaries. I’ve just found out that Alex released a new Big Star album, In Space, on Rykodisc in 2005, with fellow founder member Jody Stephens.
Power Pop, Americana, Blue-Eyed Soul, Psychobilly, Lo-Fi, Alternative and AM Pop where among all the styles of music the mercurial and ultra-talented Chilton conquered. His Box Top years where the most generally well known, his Big Star years were the peak of 70s pop but sadly ignored at the time, and his maddeningly inconsistent solo LPs where full of peaks and valleys but take risks hardly any other songwriter would take. The imprint of Big Star is still being felt to this day. I’ll never tire of the 3 70s era Big Star albums and the music he (and the lamented Chris Bell) made will be forever loved. Rest in peace Alex – we truly miss you!
PJ GREEN on All Reviews: “The Am. Dream hung out and practiced in my favorite cheese steak place on Frankford ave. Trying to remember the…” Mar 10, 18:00
Dave on The Cowsills “II x II”: “Excellent pop record with some rockin’ tracks and passages. The cover is odd, though. Wonder what the story is behind…” Mar 10, 02:16
Blindlemon on Cowboy “5’ll Getcha Ten”: “Theres also a post-Cowboy album: Talton, Stewart and Sandlin ” Happy to be alive”..similar in sound and recommended..” Feb 16, 13:51
Jan G. on The American Dream (self-titled): “I first saw the Dream play at Reading City Park 1969-70 and a later version at a high school football…” Jan 27, 21:08
Jim on Truck “Surprise! Surprise!”: “I am surprised that their 2nd lp under the name Col Truck “one fine day” 1976 Baal, is so cheap…” Jan 26, 16:01
Tom Browne on Bronco “Country Home”: “An original Bronco poster is currently in the East Bristol Auctions online sale of Music, TV & film autographs &…” Jan 2, 17:29
Roger on Wool “Wool”: “Thanks for the information! I heard If they left us alone when I was 13 and had been looming for…” Dec 31, 00:21
Blindlemon on Mason Proffit “Wanted”: “This album is also called”The Hangman Album”…backcover shows a gallow.” Dec 11, 04:50
Home page on The American Dream (self-titled): “Our on-line casino games are created to maximize your possibilities of striking gold, and we’re not just horsing around!” Nov 1, 10:49
Jeffrey Campbell on Harumi “Harumi”: “I found this album during the lockdown (thanks to this website). How did I go over 50 years without ever…” Oct 29, 22:42
George on Bo Grumpus “Before the War”: “Wonderful album! I finally got the vynil. The tracks are delivered in like a patient delivery similar to Procul Harum,…” Oct 17, 08:26
The man had a heartbreaking voice. Only just below the top talent of the preceding era (Stones, Dylan, Reed, Lennon, etc.) Chilton ranks among the most brilliant of rock and rolls the second tier geniuses. Can’t believe he’s dead.
Another legend bites the dust, then. He was younger than me, too – makes me feel grateful I never took that rock-life path. His legacy will endure, of course. Apart from listening to his music, anyone really wanting to get inside Chilton’s head should read It Came From Memphis by Robert Gordon, the brilliantly-written story of that city’s alternative (ie. white) music scene – no Elvis, Booker T or Al Green but plenty of Chilton, Jim Dickinson, Spooner Oldham and their contemporaries. I’ve just found out that Alex released a new Big Star album, In Space, on Rykodisc in 2005, with fellow founder member Jody Stephens.
Power Pop, Americana, Blue-Eyed Soul, Psychobilly, Lo-Fi, Alternative and AM Pop where among all the styles of music the mercurial and ultra-talented Chilton conquered. His Box Top years where the most generally well known, his Big Star years were the peak of 70s pop but sadly ignored at the time, and his maddeningly inconsistent solo LPs where full of peaks and valleys but take risks hardly any other songwriter would take. The imprint of Big Star is still being felt to this day. I’ll never tire of the 3 70s era Big Star albums and the music he (and the lamented Chris Bell) made will be forever loved. Rest in peace Alex – we truly miss you!