Thursday, March 18, 2010

Alex Chilton, R.I.P.



I woke up this morning to the shocking news of the death of Alex Chilton.

His work with The Box Tops and Big Star has influenced countless artists.

This is a monumental loss.

He was 59.

6 comments:

allen vella said...

Sucks. Great writer, singer, performer. My memory will be at El Matador in New Orleans..wonderful set..fine guitar playin...Volare, sincerely done.

steve simels said...

I was lucky enough to see him with Big Star at Maxs, right as "Radio City" came out.

He and they were about as transcendent as it gets that night...

Very sad news.

Michael said...

So sad. Alex wrote some of my favorite songs ever; he was one of the great songwriters. "Holocaust" is all the evidence you need.

I was just relating the story about how I was lucky enough to see Alex play with Jody Stephens and a couple of Posies in a Big Star reunion show back in, uh, 92? It was marvelous. It was also quite moving for those guys to play Chris Bell songs. I feel lucky to have been there.

RIP, prince of darkness.

JAYESSEMM said...

I must admit that while I know many of his songs my library is short on Alex Chilton.

What would you recommend as "The Essential Chilton Tracks?"

Sal Nunziato said...

James,
Just get Big Star's #1 Record/Radio City. That is essential.

S

JAYESSEMM said...

Sal,

I have a new rule in my life -- when you say "buy this record" I do.

Just got the Big Star. Thanks!