RIP

wow. RIP.

Dang, a power pop icon is dead.

Fer some reason Spud feels like getting into a puff puff pass circle with the cast of That 70s Show while listening to some vinyl.

RIP Alex Chilton.

Be Well.

Yes, a bummer indeed.

A band I used to be in toured with Big Star as the opening act for their reunion tour of Britain in '94. Alex and Jody were the only two original members, backed by two guys from The Posies, Ken Stringfellow and John Auer.

Alex was a nice guy...kinda quiet, tho.

RIP, Alex.

Every musician that comes in contact with Dave dies.

Never heard of him.

Who?

RIP Alex Chilton.

That first Big Star album was brilliant. It's a shame the real talents like Chilton are passed over in favor of marketing creations like Fergie and a thousand other brain-dead, talentless tools.

An artist.

"Fame has a lot of baggage to carry around. I wouldn't want to be like Bruce Springsteen. I don't need that much money and wouldn't want to have 20 bodyguards following me."

If only there were more like him.

"Never heard of him.

#6 | Posted by wisgod at 2010-03-18 09:00 AM | Reply | Flag: SHIT HE DOESN'T KNOW WOULD FILL LAKE ERIE

First Doug Fieger...

Power pop pioneers are dropping like flies. The first two albums didn't sell but were highly influential. If you've seen "That 70's Show", you've heard "In The Street". Cheap Trick, R.E.M. were followers.

Big Star Singer Alex Chilton Dies

He couldn't have been that big of a star, I've never even heard of him before.

#6 | Posted by wisgod at 2010-03-18 09:00 AM | Reply | Flag: SHIT HE DOESN'T KNOW WOULD FILL LAKE ERIE

#11 | Posted by LetUsPrey

So would your wife's ass.

"He couldn't have been that big of a star, I've never even heard of him before."

I hope that was a joke, Chris. Big Star is the name of his band--er, was. And they did some great work. Influential if not popular. An old college chum introduced me to the music of Big Star/Alex Chilton, and seeing this headline I am inspired to seek out that old friend...

And Wis, your #14--man, you are much wittier than that. Er, you can be.

And Wis, your #14--man, you are much wittier than that. Er, you can be.

#16 | Posted by pragmatist

Who asked you?

Nobody, Wis. Who ever asks you anything? You have been here before, right?

Dude, I was lamenting your lack of wit. Come on, you can construct a better attack than that. I should know, having felt your lash (sometimes lame, sometimes clever).

Ya try to play clever and funny, with a backhanded compliment, and people get all pissy. Yeesh.

I'm sorry for not meeting or exceeding your expectations tonight. I thought I was addressing Lettuce, not my fan club. I promise to do better tomorrow when the spot light once again shines down on your's truely. Until then, take my advice. Pull down your pants and slide on the ice.

I don't even know what that means. Must be a Bushism. (See how it works? Oh, never mind.) Have yourself a great night.

Alex Chilton

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.
Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.
Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.
Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

I never travel far, without a little Big Star

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.
Falling asleep with a flop pop video on.
If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

I never heard of him or Big Star, but I have heard of Box Tops. I sent four in and got some xray glasses once.

Chilton may be the ultimate representation of the overlooked pop genius, cited as an influence by more hipster bands and singers and songwriters than anybody other than maybe the Velvet Underground and the New York Dolls. His songs were as clever and catchy as those of the artists he was compared to or drew from (Beatles, Badfinger, Kinks, Byrds, etc.), and he inspired countless other great power-pop artists from the 70s until now (Posies, Matthew Sweet, Jellyfish, Teenage Fanclub, REM, Tom Petty). Whether you've heard of him or not has no bearing on the quality of his music, which ranged from good to excellent. Do yourself a favor and check out any Big Star album, but his solo stuff is worth hearing as well.

I sent four in and got some xray glasses once which to this day I still use on the rig .

Mmmmmmm!

#22 | Posted by goatman at 2010-03-19 06:37 AM |

I sent four in and got some xray glasses once which to this day I still use on the rig .

Mmmmmmm!

#22 | Posted by goatman at 2010-03-19 06:37 AM |

#24 | Posted by jerrytarkanian

What an idiot. I get my naked man jollies in the shower. For someone whose entire blogging schtick is pointless drive-byes, you sure aren't very good at it, itsy. I guess you have to have a brain for even the most base of retorts.

NPR ran a couple long segments including interviews with Chliton, who said his manager had him sing "The Letter" in a raspy voice. His own voice sounded nothing like that based on the clips they played.