R.I.P. Alex Chilton (1950-2010)

I was always fascinated by just how diverse Alex Chilton’s contribution to music was. Most of the general public won’t recognize him by name. What they will recognize is his voice as the lead singer to the 60s group the Box Tops. His deep, soulful voice is cemented in many people’s minds thanks to “The Letter”. The first remarkable fact about Alex Chilton’s career is he was only 16 when this song was recorded. Here’s a teenager talking about flying back home to rekindle a relationship with an ex-girlfriend, and he sold just as well as any classic soul singer could have. If Alex Chilton never made another song after “The Letter”, his legacy would have been significant.


And yet it’s what Alex Chilton accomplished after The Box Tops that earns him a spot as being one of the most important figures in rock music. As leader of the power pop band Big Star, Alex influenced a whole generation of musicians. So much so that the Replacements even recorded a tribute song to him called fittingly, “Alex Chilton”. Big Star’s lack of popularity is one of the biggest shames in rock and roll. Unlike other alternative bands that came after and before, Big Star wanted to sell many records. Their group name wasn’t meant to be ironic. They truly wanted the fame and popularity. Big Star wasn’t a cult band by choice. Unfortunately, they arrived in the early 70s when a rock band built on Beatlesque melodies were a bit passé.

When I listen to Big Star now, Alex Chilton’s voice and lyrics stand out just as much as those achingly beautiful melodies. This was a man who sounded like despair was always lurking somewhere near the surface. The songs on the classic album, Radio City, sounded like pop but included lyrics like “Nullify my life/You’re gonna to die/You Gonna Decease.” On paper these words look so grim. When you listen to it, it’s the perfect dichotomy of joyful music and dark lyrics that give the song a special edge. When I heard Alex Chilton died tonight of a probable heart attack at 59, I thought how inevitable it seemed. A sad end for a sad soul.

Links to a few of Alex Chilton's best songs:

The Box Tops- The Letter

Big Star- Thirteen - One of the most beautiful songs ever written.
 
Big Star- In The Street- Otherwise known as the theme song for "That 70s Show". That version was by Cheap Trick. Here's the superior, original version.
 
Big Star- September Gurls- This is usually regarded as Big Star's crowning achievement. It really is the quintessenial Big Star song.