Died today of heart failure. His band Big Star were an enormous influence on REM, Teenage Fanclub and most current indie bands. 'Thirteen' remains one of the greatest songs ever written

Terrible news. I discovered Big Star through my love of Teenage Fanclub, fell in love with them as soon as I'd heard 30 seconds of September Gurls and they became a huge part of my musical life.

RIP Alex Chilton

I love 'Kangaroo', which was written by him, though I admit I know the song from the This Mortal Coil cover. Great song.

Very influential. RIP Alex Chilton.

I felt very sad when I heard this news. RIP Alex.

Will play some Big Star today and even the Box Tops. Alex was only 16 when they had a US number 1 in 1967 with 'The Letter'.

The fact that he has only got 4 entries on this thread says it all.
Probably the most underated talent ever. Him and Arthur Lee.
I saw him in Whelans Dublin about 5 years ago and he was as amazing as his records.

RIP

It's just struck me that 99% of the people on here don't know who he is, but have almost certainly heard him singing 'Neon Rainbow' during the X-Factor ad breaks.

I saw Alex play one of the small stages at Reading around 1993 - he put on a great show.

He made some beautiful music, especially "Thirteen" (one of my favourite-ever songs), "I'm In Love With A Girl" and "September Gurls".

omg me too, thanks to Teenage Fanclub (I loved Norman) i got into Big Star and Alex Chilton. sad news.

Teenage Fanclub announced a new album and tour earlier this week, I have a feeling the tour setlists may include a Big Star song by way of tribute.

Here's Norman and Bobby Gillespie paying tribute...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8574554.stm

I loved Big Star, my username is even lifted from September Gurls.

Didn't Teenage Fanclub do a version of Free Again? For some reason I can't find my copy

They did indeed. TFC have covered loads of Big Star and Alex Chilton stuff live and a lot of it is available on various bootlegs.

This will be very special at SXSW tomorrow:

http://www.nme.com/news/alex-chilton/50292

The letter

cry like a baby

soul deep

all great songs

great voice

http://study5.info/box-tops%E2%80%99...t-59.html/7630

we talking the same Alex chilton 59yo singer of the Box Tops


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnBliyHGn6A