Sad news coming out of Memphis tonight, the legendary Alex Chilton died today of an apparent heart attack. Chilton, currently fronting his band Big Star, was 59 years old. The Memphis native was the gruff-voiced teenager who sang with the Box Tops in the 1960s, and fronted the power-pop rockers Big Star in the 1970s. Chilton sang and wrote some of Big Star’s best-remembered songs, like “In The Street” (heard over the opening credits of “That ’70s Show”) and “September Gurls.”
Story on Alex Chilton’s death from the Memphis Commercial Appeal
Big Star was scheduled to play a Saturday night showcase at the SXSW music festival in Austin. Now there might be some sort of tribute to the fallen lead singer.
Story from Entertainment Weekly
MP3: “Soul Deep” by the Box Tops
MP3: “The Letter” by the Box Tops
MP3: “September Gurls” by Big Star
MP3: “The Ballad of El Goodo” by Big Star
MP3: “Rock Hard” by Alex Chilton
MP3: “Every Time I Close My Eyes” by Alex Chilton
MP3: “Alex Chilton” (live) by the Replacements
MP3: “Big Star” by the Jayhawks
YouTube: “In The Street” by Big Star
30 Days Out 