Died On This Date (March 17, 2010) Alex Chilton/ Influential Singer & Songwriter

themusicsover March 17, 2010 0 Comments

William “Alex” Chilton
December 28, 1950 – March 17, 2010

Even though Alex Chilton was one of indie rock’s biggest influences, many don’t realize he sang lead on one of the biggest pop hits of the ’60s.  While still in high school in Memphis, Tennessee, 16-year-old Chilton was asked to join a local rock band that soon became known as the Box Tops.  Later that year, the group released “The Letter” which quickly became a #1 hit around the world (Chilton’s lead vocal track was slowed down to make him sound older).  That was soon followed by “Cry Like a Baby” and “Soul Deep,” both moderate hits also sung by Chilton.  After leaving the Box Tops, Chilton joined Chris Bell in an up-and-coming power pop band, Big Star who made records that took the best pop elements of the British Invasion and spiced them with a dash of Memphis soul.  In 1972, Big Star released #1 Album, which, although it was a commercial failure, was highly influential to the Replacements, R.E.M., Wilco, Counting Crows, Ryan Adams the Flaming Lips, and Teenage Fanclub.  One of its songs, the Bell-Chilton penned, “In The Street,” was re-recorded by Cheap Trick in 1999 and used as the theme song for That ’70s Show.  Chilton later helped form and produced Panther Burns with Tav Falco.  He also released several influential solo albums throughout his career.  In 1987, the Replacements included the great love letter to Chilton, “Alex Chilton,” on their Pleased To Meet Me album.  In 2005, Chilton reformed Big Star for an album and tour.  On March 17, 2010, Alex Chilton died of a heart attack.  He was 59 years old.

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