Alex Chilton Dead At 59

[GlobalObserver]

The Associated Press: Influential guitarist, singer Alex Chilton dies


Influential guitarist, singer Alex Chilton dies
(AP) – 59 minutes ago

NEW ORLEANS — Singer and guitarist Alex Chilton, known for his influential work with bands the Box Tops and Big Star, has died. He was 59.

Chilton's longtime friend John Fry says that Chilton died Wednesday at a hospital in New Orleans after experiencing what appeared to be heart problems.

Fry, the owner of Memphis-based Ardent Studios, says he has spoken to Chilton's wife and that she's very distressed. Fry said: "It was just a sudden and unexpected event."

Chilton had been scheduled to perform with Big Star on Saturday at the South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.

The festival's creative director, Brent Grulke, says Chilton's gift for melody was second to none.

Gulke says: "Alex Chilton always messed with your head, charming and amazing you while doing so."

[GlobalObserver]

Been a huge Big Star fan for what seems like forever. Man, this totally caught me off guard. :(

[kryptosmaster]

Never heard of him.
Rich

[megoat]

I'm super bummed. Big Star's 3rd/Sister Lovers is top 10 all time for me.....

[huedell]

Never heard of him.
Rich

Never heard of you.
Hugh

[GlobalObserver]

Thanks to That 70's Show, this was probably their most well known song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cT8ihOjOf1g

[rche]

aw man.
I don't have words for how bad this makes me feel.

children by the millions cry for alex chilton

[Uni]

Booooo :(

[thunderbolt]

Man, that sucks. I ate dinner with him at Wag's in Cocoa Beach before he opened for the Replacements at a club there. Really cool cat. RIP.

[Meule]

Never heard of him.
Rich

Me neither

[huedell]

Me neither

Me neither....but maybe we can learn something from the thread, eh?

Seems pointless AND disrespectful to
post a mere two negatively connotating words in someone's death thread.

Just my opinion.

Incidentally....I've read up on this guy just now.

You may have never heard of him......but if you have ever watched the credits for THAT 70S SHOW, you HAVE heard his songwriting. How's that?

[david_b]

Never heard of him.
Rich

Regardless, the world will always miss an old musician..!!

Rest in Peace, and Thank You for the Music.

[Wee67]

Chilton was a wonderful discovery for me as I got into music. I hadn't heard of him of Big Star at first. However, ou couldn't listen long to the musicians I loved and respected without them mentioning Alex Chilton. By the time the The Replacements released their song titled for him, I had gone back and listened to Big Star's 3 albums and some of his solo work. He was a really great. smart song writer. Go check out "September Gurls" amd you'll hear so many of the artists you grew up with.

[4NDR01D]

Can't say I ever really got into Big Star, but Alex Chilton produced some of my favorite albums by the Cramps and the Panther Burns among others.
For those who've never heard of him, you HAVE heard his music "The Letter" by his first band (when he was like 15 years old) the Box Tops is a classic rock radio station staple. He was an extremely talented guy, and very influential on a lot of other great musicians.

[Brazoo]

Very sad. Big Star always makes me feel good. R.I.P.