Alex Chilton

R.I.P. ALEX CHILTON – Former BIG STAR Legend Passed Away 15 Year Ago

Posted on by JL

18 March 2025

American rock-pop legend ALEX CHILTON started his career in the mid-60s.
As a teenager he fronted a band called The Box Tops who scored a No. 1 in
the US in 1967 with their cover of asong called The Letter.

Afterward, Chilton formed the highly influential band
BIG STAR (1971–1975, 1993–2010) and released also
solo work now and then.

He passed away 15 years ago following a heart
attack, on 17 March 2010, aged 59. R.I.P.

TUTV picked 3 big tracks
to remember the genuine
singer-songwriter.

– THE LETTER –

No. 1 hit with
The Box Tops
1967

– THIRTEEN –

Best known Big Star song.
More than 52 million streams
on Spotify.

– BANGKOK –

His first ever solo single.
It came out in 1978.
Stellar stroke.

ALEX CHILTON: Biography

A Celebration Of BIG STAR’s ‘#1 RECORD’ Released 50 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

27 September 2022

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of BIG STAR‘s debut LP #1 RECORD, members of
R.E.M. (bassist Mike Mills), The DB’S (frontman Chris Stamey), The Posies (drummer
Jon Auer) and Wilco (guitarist/keyboardist Pat Sansone) along with Big Star‘s original drummer Jody Stephens will play the album in full (plus other Big Star gems) on
a short tour.

Big Star was fronted by the late great Alex Chilton,
who passed away in 2010, only 59.

AllMusic about that debut LP: “The problem with coming in late on an artwork lauded
as ‘influential’ is that you’ve probably encountered the work it influenced first, so its truly innovative qualities are lost. Thus, if you are hearing Big Star’s debut album for the first time decades after its release (as, inevitably, most people must), you may be reminded of Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers or R.E.M., who came after — that is, if you don’t think of The Byrds and The Beatles circa 1965. What was remarkable about #1 Record in 1972 was that nobody except Big Star (and maybe Badfinger and The Raspberries) wanted to sound like this — simple, light pop with sweet harmonies and jangly guitars.” Score: 5/5..

Stream #1 Record here…

.
BIG STAR: Bio – Discography

(Image Alex Chilton: cover of his ‘No Sex’ album, 1986)

7-Inch History – ALEX CHILTON 1978

Posted on by JL

Great 7″ inches/sleeves/vinyl from the past

25 July 2022

Artist: ALEX CHILTON

Who: American musician who became famous as the teenage
singer of sixties band The Box Tops who had a big hit in 1967 with
their cover of The Letter, a song written by country musician Wayne
Carson Thompson. Afterward, Chilton formed highly influential band
Big Star (1971–1975, 1993–2010) and also recorded solo. He passed
away, only 59, in 2010. R.I.P.

Single: BANGKOK
His first ever solo single.
Came out in 1978.

A kooky track, with kooky lyrics.

Here’s a little thing that’s gonna please ya
Just a little town down in Indonesia
Bangkok

Two slanty eyed men lying in bed
One got his Mauser, the other said
Bangkok

Making love the Japanese way
Learned aggressively in Hong Kong
Bangkok

Margaret Trudeau, Jakie O
Madame Nhu and Bridget Bardot
Bangkok
Baby, Bangkok
Yeah, Suki

I’m not living on Chinese rocks
I’m in Bangkok
Yeah, Bangkok, baby

Here’s a revision that’s kind of minor
It’s just a little town down in Indochina
Bangkok
Baby baby

ALEX CHILTON: Biography

Single This! THE REPLACEMENTS

Posted on by JL

17 August 2021

‘Alex Chilton’ by THE REPLACEMENTS

From their 1987 album ‘Pleased To Meet Me’

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn’t that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin’ down in Memphis all the while

THE REPLACEMENTS: Bio

HISTORY – 17 March 2010

Posted on by JL

17 March 2019

On 17 March 2010, nine years ago today, American singer-songwriter ALEX CHILTON passed away, only 59, due to heart problems. He became famous as the teenage singer
of sixties band The Box Tops who had a big hit in 1967 with their cover of The Letter, a song written by country musician Wayne Carson Thompson. Afterward Chilton formed the influential rock band Big Star (1971–1975, 1993–2010). Here is, to remember, this special artist, his fascinating 1978 solo single BANGKOK…

ALEX CHILTON: Biography

Here’s KING BLACK ACID With Starry-Eyed Cover Of BIG STAR’s Timeless Pearl… ‘I’M IN LOVE WITH A GIRL’

Posted on by JL

10 April 2018

DANIEL RIDDLE, a Portland, Oregon based musician/songwriter has been creating music with his band KING BLACK ACID since the late ‘80s. With four studio albums, a multitude of singles and original musical score for productions such as The Mothman Prophecies, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, CSI and revered live performances, King Black Acid gained the status of legend in Portland.

Here’s King Black Acid‘s newest production. A magical cover of I’M IN LOVE WITH A GIRL. An affecting lovey-dovey gem by BIG STAR, the rock ‘n pop cult band formed in the 70s
by the late, great ALEX CHILTON. On first hearing, I was convinced that this starry-eyed version was actually an interpretation by psych junks ‘The Flaming Lips’ as it has that misty fairytale Lips tone, but it’s definitely Riddle‘s sensitive, almost spiritual rendition. Press the button and dream away…

.
Original by cult legends BIG STAR…

King Black Acid will release the song (with a The Carpenters
cover on the flip side) as a 7” on bubblegum pink vinyl 27 April.

KING BLACK ACID: Wesbite – Facebook – Twitter