Chilton grew up in a musical family. His father Sid was a jazz musician. He found fame young, at the age of 16 as singer with Memphis pop group The Box Tops, who had an American number one hit with the song "The Letter". After The Boxtops split, Chilton carried on making music as a solo artist, learning to play guitar in the process.
The Letter by The Box Tops featuring a young Alex Chilton...
After living in New York at the end of the 1960's Chilton returned to Memphis and formed the band Big Star along with songwriting partner Chris Bell, drummer Jody Stephens and bassist Andy Humell. Big Star went on to release three albums, #1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers, to great critical acclaim but limited comercial success. Live, recorded in New York in 1972 was released inn 1992 on Rykodisc.
Thank You Friends. Big Star Studio Footage.
After Big Star split up Chilton went on to work with a number of different artists throughout the 70's and 80's, and also released material as a solo artist, most notably 1979's like Flies on Sherbet.
In the early 1990's, Big Star gained a large cult following thanks to bands like Teenage Fanclub, REM and Primal Scream quoting their name as influential. Thanks also to the re-release of much of their material on CD format.
Chilton started touring again with original drummer Jody Stephens and members of American indie rock band The Posies under the name Big Star and released and album entitled In Space in 2005. Alex was due to headline this years SXSW festival along with a newly re – juvinated Rocky Erickson, with a reunited Big Star line up.
A brilliant songwriter and guitar player, a reluctant star, a most human, human being and all round inspiration to thousands. He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and fans the world over.
Alex Chilton 1950 – 2010.
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