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Alex Chilton of Big Star Dead at 59

Alex Chilton, the singer, songwriter and guitarist best known for his work in the Box Tops and Big Star, has passed away. According to Memphis' Commercial Appeal, the 59-year-old died at a New Orleans hospital from what is believed to have been a heart attack.

Chilton, a Memphis native, rose to fame at only 16 years old when the Box Tops had a chart-topping hit with 'The Letter' in 1967. After the group split in 1970, Chilton helped form rock-pop group Big Star, consisting of several Memphis-area musicians.

Though Big Star never achieved major chart success, their first three albums -- '#1 Record,' 'Radio City' and 'Third/Sister' -- have been lauded by critics and discovered by a new generation of fans. The band split in 1974 and reunited in 1993, eventually releasing their fourth studio album, 'In Space,' in 2005, with Chilton and drummer Jody Stephens as the only original members remaining. Last September, Rhino Records released a 98-song box set, 'Keep an Eye on the Sky,' featuring Big Star's greatest hits as well as rarities and unreleased demos.

"It's obvious to anybody that listens to his live performances or his body of recorded work, his tremendous talent as a vocalist and songwriter and instrumentalist," John Fry, who worked with the band and founded the Ardent label, told Commercial Appeal. "Beyond the musical talent, he was an interesting, articulate and extremely intelligent person. I don't think you'd ever have a conversation with him of any length that you didn't learn something completely new."

Big Star was scheduled to play SXSW this Saturday. Chilton is survived by his wife, Laura, and son, Timothy.

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betty swallocks

EVERY DAY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE WORLD DIE OF STARVATION ,AIDS,DISEASE,MALNUTRITION,WAR ETC..EVERY DAY CHILDREN ARE ORPHANED DUE TO ALL OF THE ABOVE HORRIBLE THINGS..YET THE MEDIA HARP ON ABOUT ONE SINGLE PERSON?????????

March 18 2010 at 4:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to betty swallocks's comment
Peps

RIP Alex
A true Neon Rainbow

March 18 2010 at 2:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
liliana

my thoughts go to alex clintons family today he was a very talented musician. and to young to die R.I.P.

March 18 2010 at 10:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
liliana

sorry to hear about alex clinton very talented musician my condolances go to hisfamily

March 18 2010 at 10:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Madeleine

I remember Alex Chilton very well, I loved his music and danced to it, who could forget "the letter" a huge summer hit. I'm sorry to hear about his death, my prayers are with his family.

March 18 2010 at 6:21 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply