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!
Robert H. Markley on The Smoke (self-titled): “Didn’t expect to see this here…!” Mar 24, 15:40
Kurt caumette on Taos “Taos”: “Got the album here in Wanaka New Zealand” Mar 22, 18:52
Anonymous on Space Opera (self-titled): “discovered these guys at a college radio station in ’72. plugged them regularly on my show. still have a copy…” Mar 10, 20:57
Fernando Laguna on Maitreya Kali “Inca”: “Craig Smith, a great composer and musician, unfortunately little appreciated, however today he has become a cult artist for whom…” Mar 10, 11:33
JMID, otherwise referred to as Tarsh,, on The Freak Scene “Psychedelic Psoul”: “Frankly, this is surreal. Anyhow, Hey there MeC, I’m loving this site. Already finding new shite.” Jan 11, 18:54
Scott Steele on Taos “Taos”: “Another Taos record discoverer. This is really great, enjoy the sounds. Ironic you had to travel to New Mexico to…” Dec 17, 23:17
MeCrumbly429 on The Freak Scene “Psychedelic Psoul”: “I wonder, Why don’t we have a review on the Deep’s debut? It’s quite literally the absolute first full-stop psychedelic…” Dec 2, 18:45
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!