Highly influential American singer-guitarist Alex Chilton, best known for his membership in the groups The Box Tops and Big Star, as well as his solo work, died earlier today (3/17) in a New Orleans hospital reportedly the result of heart problems. He was 59.
Chilton was only sixteen when he found himself with the number one pop hit in the country in 1967 with the Box Tops' hit single “The Letter.” By the end of the decade the group had broken up and Chilton (whom the Replacements wrote a song about, which is known to a new generation from being playable in Rock Band 2) went on to form the influential (albeit never commercially big) power-pop group Big Star.
The group was to be one of the biggest attractions at this year’s SXSW music festival, happening in Austin, Texas this week. The reunited Big Star (who played the Fillmore in SF three years ago) was scheduled to play this Saturday (3/20) night. Earlier that day both Big Star drummer Jody Stephens and Big Star bassist Andy Hummel (who are already in Austin tonight) were booked to appear on a SxSW music panel (Chilton was not booked on the same panel) all about Big Star and their influence. According to a few sources down in Austin tonight, Chilton's bandmates are considering going ahead with the panel, only now it will become a tribute to the late great Alex Chilton. And as for exactly what will happen in place of the scheduled Big Star concert late Saturday night, it is still uncertain but many are already speculating that it will become a big scale tribute concert with many surprise guests performing in honor of the man.
The Box Tops "The Letter"
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in yesterday's NYTimes Paul Westerberg (of the Replacements who penned the song "Alex Chilton") wrote the following piece about the passing of his hero
"HOW does one react to the death of one’s mentor? My mind instantly slammed down the inner trouble-door that guards against all thought, emotion, sadness. Survival mode. Rock guitar players are all dead men walking. It’s only a matter of time, I tell myself as I finger my calluses. Those who fail to click with the world and society at large find safe haven in music — to sing, write songs, create, perform. Each an active art in itself that offers no promise of success, let alone happiness.
Yet success shone early on Alex Chilton, as the 16-year-old soulful singer of the hit-making Box Tops. Possessing more talent than necessary, he tired as a very young man of playing the game — touring, performing at state fairs, etc. So he returned home to Memphis. Focusing on his pop writing and his rock guitar skills, he formed the group Big Star with Chris Bell. Now he had creative control, and his versatility shone bright. Beautiful melodies, heart-wrenching lyrics: “I’m in Love with a Girl,” “September Gurls.”
On Big Star’s masterpiece third album, Alex sang my favorite song of his, “Nighttime” — a haunting and gorgeous ballad that I will forever associate with my floor-sleeping days in New York. Strangely, the desperation in the line “I hate it here, get me out of here” made me, of all things, happy. He went on to produce more artistic, challenging records. One equipped with the take-it-or-leave-it — no, excuse me, with the take-it-like-I-make-it — title “Like Flies on Sherbert.” The man had a sense of humor, believe me.
It was some years back, the last time I saw Alex Chilton. We miraculously bumped into each other one autumn evening in New York, he in a Memphis Minnie T-shirt, with take-out Thai, en route to his hotel. He invited me along to watch the World Series on TV, and I immediately discarded whatever flimsy obligation I may have had. We watched baseball, talked and laughed, especially about his current residence — he was living in, get this, a tent in Tennessee.
Because we were musicians, our talk inevitably turned toward women, and Al, ever the Southern gentleman, was having a hard time between bites communicating to me the difficulty in ... you see, the difficulty in (me taking my last swig that didn’t end up on the wall, as I boldly supplied the punch line) “... in asking a young lady if she’d like to come back to your tent?” We both darn near died there in a fit of laughter.
Yeah, December boys got it bad, as “September Gurls” notes. The great Alex Chilton is gone — folk troubadour, blues shouter, master singer, songwriter and guitarist. Someone should write a tune about him. Then again, nah, that would be impossible. Or just plain stupid." - Paul Westerberg
Here is an update on last night's previously scheduled Big Star show at South By South West (SxSW) courtesy of my man Brian Turner (WFMU) = "Last night's - Saturday's Antone's show went on as planned - Stephens/Auer/Stringfellow came out after intro/greet by Jody and a letter read from Chilton's widow (which focused quite a bit on the bands Alex liked to play around the house, the Cramps his most proud project, and big love for the Gories), then went into a set of Big Star tunes covering the vocals and augmented by guests Curt Kirkwood ("In the Street"), Mike Mills ("Jesus Christ"), Sondre Lechre ("Ballad of El Goodo"), John Doe ("I'm In Love With a Girl") M. Ward, Chris Stamey and others. Susan Cowsill and the Watson Sisters closed with "September Girls" (Stringfellow taking on the Alex guitar leads); original member Andy Hummel was there too on some songs ---apparently coming for the SXSW gig from Lithuania. Jody came out solo and thanked everyone, and that was it for Big Star. It was weird and definitely had the vibe of a public wake as much as a rock show, people were enthusiastic and applauding but there was a sobering vibe in the air of the room."