Influential guitarist, singer Alex Chilton dies

[Romulox]

Source: AP

NEW ORLEANS — Singer and guitarist Alex Chilton, known for his influential work with bands the Box Tops and Big Star, died Wednesday. He was 59.

Chilton died at a hospital in New Orleans after experiencing what appeared to be heart problems, said his long time friend John Fry.

Fry, the owner of Memphis-based Ardent Studios, said the death was unexpected and that Chilton's wife, Laura, was very distressed.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iZwuGOtqbAEygSdShR1iy3eWrBqAD9EGQGOO0

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Big Star is one of the most important rock n roll bands of all time. Children by the million will sing for Alex Chilton for years to come...

Edit to include a more thoughtful story:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/derogatis/2010/03/alex_chilton_dies_on_the_eve_o.html

[Eric Condon]

1. I don't know if anyone else on here dug Chilton, but I for one am abolutely devastated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q10DAu6-_8w

My favorite song of his right there. One of my favorite bands of all time. RIP.

[EFerrari]

3. I never heard of him but now I have to go listen.

I'm sorry, Eric.

[sweetloukillbot]

7. Do it - Big Star's 3 albums lay the groundwork for the jangle pop of the 80s and 90s

REM, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Lemonheads, The Bangles, Cheap Trick, Marshall Crenshaw, they all owe a debt to Chilton. His band Big Star helped create power pop.
If you've seen That 70s Show, the theme song is a Big Star tune (although it's performed by Cheap Trick for the show).
His solo stuff is weaker, and I think he was pretty ravaged by alcohol and drugs for the past 20 or 30 years, sadly. It's especially sad now, since Big Star is getting a little bit of a resurgence thanks to an amazing box set that came out around Christmas. He was actually feared dead during Katrina, but turned up in Houston a few days after the levees broke.

[Blue_Tires]

26. thanks for the insights

[Romulox]

14. You may have heard his work on the late '60s hits "the Letter" and "Cry Like a Baby"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wD9mCp8SifM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVY691ObVJE

[tonysam]

23. THAT is what I best remember him for. I enjoyed his work with the Box Tops.

He was just 17 when he recorded "The Letter," like Peter Noone and Steve Winwood barely out of the cradle when he hit it big.

[pepperbear]

4. I am too actually. I still haven't stopped listening to #1 record. n/t

[Frank Cannon]

8. I'm a HUGE Big Star fan. This blows.

I know the guy smoked like a steamship for a long time, but 59 is just too young for anyone to go.

So long, Alex. We will miss you.

[Warren DeMontague]

2. RIP.

People toss around the word "influential" in music a lot, but that dude for sure set the tone for a lot of stuff.

He will be missed, no doubt.

[Withywindle]

5. Oh fuck no.

You know, I mourned when Michael Jackson died (briefly) although he really only made, at most through his whole career, four or five songs that I really honestly liked.

Alex Chilton, man, at his peak, shat out that many good songs with every sneeze. Will he get the same level of coverage? Not even close. But I will mourn him and honor the memory of what he gave us.

[Violet_Crumble]

6. RIP Alex....

Big Star have been one of my favourite bands for so long. His death is really sad news :(


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."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZLmwUu0dWM&feature=related

[LeftHander]

11. nice link...I was in a band in MPLS in the mid eighties...

Lead Guitarist...

Use to see Westerberg sittin' in the Uptown Bar and Grill frequently. The band I was in fronted Soul Asylum at the 7th street entry. (Part of First Ave.)

Hanging out down in the basement dressing room, Grant Hart (Husker Du) was knocking around with S.A. and the Drummer from S.A. shared his pizza with everyone.

We played a hot show and S.A. came out and totally kicked ass.

It was a most awesome time...playing the grungy sloppy hard rock, loud and with abandon. Nice to know what the bands did in Minneapolis lead to the popularity of Alt Rock in the ninties.

Sad to hear about Chilton. I missed him playing a couple years ago at a music festival in Waukesha...

[Romulox]

15. I used to LOVE SA back in the old days. Fame seem to do strange thing to that band...

This one is still brilliant in my book:

[Eric Condon]

24. I'm surprised no one has yet brought up how awesome it is that you hung with Grant Hart.

That's a guy I'd love to meet, I can only imagine he's a character.

[truthisfreedom]

25. I recorded him after Husker Du in Minneapolis.

I had a studio just off Nicollet. He asked me if it would be okay to bring in a machine gun to capture it on mic.

[Eric Condon]

28. Was that on the Intolerance record, or 2541?

Either way, that is extremely cool. The machine gun thing sounds just about right.

[truthisfreedom]

29. I said no to the machine gun.

My studio was in a storefront below apartments, just up the alley from the police station. I'm not sure which record the stuff ended up on. He introduced me to Jaegermeister. Weird stuff. I don't drink it anymore. 8^D

[corpseratemedia]

9. we saw him in the mid-80's

didn't know he was so young.

RIP Alex

[salguine]

10. Now that sucks. For people who don't know,

Have a little taste of great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cn1t6l7UUPc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pte3Jg-2Ax4&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx6XeBhZETg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNKSs1J38EA&feature=related

[Rowdyboy]

12. Saw him several times in Memphis playing with Panther Burn.....Magnificent....

He knew one of the guys in our party and sat with us during breaks. RIP Alex-you rocked the house.

[Coventina]

13. I'm one of those millions of children.

RIP Mr. Chilton.

:cry:

[mac56]

16. awww man

That is so sad.

He has influenced more people than I can even imagine.

[spiritual_gunfighter]

17. I am devestated by the news

I can safely say that if it wasn't for Alex Chilton's music I might be doing something else with my life right now. I started my band soon after I heard Big Star's music and I recorded my first LP with the former bass player of Alex Chilton's 70's band. I went on to release 7 albums on a label and even recorded a Big Star cover for a compilation album a few years ago.

Chilton's music was so important to my musical development and I know my life would be much different without it. This is so sad.

[Romulox]

18. Mind sharing the name of your band? Chicago Power Pop is awesome!

[spiritual_gunfighter]

20. We are called Doleful Lions

we are on Parasol Records out of Urbana IL. The band is basically me and whoever I get to play with me on the album.
Here is a link to my label's site

http://www.parasol.com/artists/dolefullions.asp

Here is a review of one of my albums that mentions Alex Chilton quite a bit

http://www.thetripwire.com/news/2006/10/11/doleful-lions-i-song-cyclops-volume-2-i-parasol-2/

[Romulox]

21. Thanks! I know Parasol records.

They released the excellent Richard Lloyd Field of Fire re-issue.

I will definitely check out some of your stuff later on. Thanks for sharing! :yourock:

[Locrian]

19. man that sucks

One of the great ones who gets little coverage, but influence a hell of a lot of bands.
And the songs were great as well.

[brentspeak]

22. RIP Alex. Thank you for the great music

[Javaman]

27. Here here. A sad day and oh so young. nt

[The Midway Rebel]

30. I became familiar with Alex Chilton's guitar work through Carmaig De Forest.

Alex Chilton produced, played guitar and harmonica on Carmaig's first LP back in 1987. His guitar work on that LP if SAVAGE! Some of the best ever IMH guitar playin'O!

I still love punk/garage/rockabilly and this LP is a nearly timeless mix of styles.

Thanks for the tones Alex!

R.I.P