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Jon Spencer Recalls Being 'In Awe' of Alex Chilton

Jon Spencer Blues ExplosionOne of the defining elements of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has always been the band's wicked perspective on rock stardom. For the members of the veteran punk-soul trio, their reverence for the late Alex Chilton, who died at age 59 Wednesday, was wrapped in several layers of irony.

"We were huge fans, and we were thrilled to death to have him on tour with us," frontman Jon Spencer, who learned of Chilton's death in France where he's touring with his side project Heavy Trash, tells Spinner. Chilton opened for the Blues Explosion for a few weeks of American shows a decade ago.

"He'd drive by himself, not with his rhythm section," Spencer recalls. "He had a late-model '70s sedan, a big ol' car, with his amp and guitar in the trunk. He just made his own way, showed up and did his thing."

It was just as Chilton did for the last 35 years of his life, after his youthful flirtation with the big time. Following teenage success with the Box Tops in the 1960s and the missed opportunities of the widely influential power-pop group Big Star in the early '70s, Chilton spent the rest of his years making music -- from fringe punk and lo-fi to lounge crooning, rockabilly and weird country -- that felt fun, with little regard for commercial prospects.

"Not only was he an amazing guitar player and a beautiful singer and songwriter, but I think he did a lot of very personal, unique, idiosyncratic music," says Spencer, noting that the members of Blues Explosion turned each other on to the Big Star records and Chilton's deliberately sloppy solo debut, 'Bach's Bottom,' when they were starting out.

Spencer was also a fan of Tav Falco's Panther Burns, the surreal experiment that Chilton helped found, and admired his production work with the Cramps and the Gories.

"He was a smart guy, involved in a lot of different kinds of music," Spencer says. "It ran the gamut from the incredibly beautiful stuff with Big Star to totally out-there. Even with Big Star, the 'Third' album goes way off the deep end. It wasn't just about the sweet pop stuff."

When Chilton toured with the Blues Explosion, he seemed content, says Spencer, whose band has a hits compilation, 'Dirty Shirt Rock 'n' Roll,' coming out at the end of the month, followed by expanded reissues of six albums.

"From the stories I've heard, there were some dark days for him," Spencer says. "My impression was that was kind of in the past. He was a little more easygoing. He was certainly a little aloof, as well. We were in awe of him. We tried to give him space, but we also talked to him as much as we could.

"I guess he got burned pretty badly. He was totally ripped off as a kid in the Box Tops, in my understanding," Spencer continues. "I think he really was quite hurt and crushed that Big Star didn't pan out to be the big success it deserved to be. He was a great example of somebody who, in the face of all odds, kept going. He didn't throw in the towel."

A tribute for Chilton is set for Saturday at SXSW, featuring his Big Star bandmates, M. Ward, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills and more.

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Theo

Where does it say in the article that Jon Spencer is a blues legend? If you listen to any Blues Explosion stuff you'd know that they refer to themselves as a rock and roll band (check the lp Acme). This is a pretty affectionate article about an underrated singer, musician and producer and what he meant to somebody who knew and toured with him. Some people really look for some negative crap when there clearly isn't any at all.

March 26 2010 at 1:27 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tere

I saw Alex Chilton at Max's Kansas City in NYC, of all places, in the early 70s. Was a pretty cool show as I recall. Only had known him from the Box Tops, and it was quite different than I expected.

March 21 2010 at 1:11 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Hamster

Gotta love the always misleading AOL headlines
Big Star was a great underrated early 70's power pop band. Check out their stuff. The theme song from That 70's show is based on his song "In the street"

March 20 2010 at 4:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MIKE ZVIRBLIS

IS THIS NUTS? JOHN SPENCER? BLAAAAAAAAAAH!

March 20 2010 at 3:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Pber

By the way, where are you guys getting this legend thing? The author never called him one. If fact, he only time the word legend is used in this article is once you guys start ranting and raving. How did that happen?

And on a side note, The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion has been around for 20 years an wildly successful. Classic blues legend no, but a whole lot of people know this guys name.

March 20 2010 at 3:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Pber's comment
PLATEHEAD1

I am very aware of who Jon Spencer is and what his music is, and he's still no "blues legend" and his music is not true blues. I've been in the music business for more than 40 years as a producer and performer. Spencer is just another face with some perverted idea of what blues is. If he hadn't used the name Blues in his band's name, I would hold nothing against him. I'm not saying he bad, he's just not blues.PERIOD!!!

March 20 2010 at 5:10 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Valerie

I am not surprised by all these ignorant remarks. So many people think they are knowledgeable about music, it's roots and history, and it's people. They are not. If you do not know about this man, you do not know about a HUGE slice of music history, greatness and genius. He was amazingly talented and influential to so many people who truly know music.

March 20 2010 at 1:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rider93hawg

I agree that the title "blues legend" is over the top. I was expecting to read something that Buddy Guy said or Clapton. Any way, I remember that BE tour when Alex Chilton opened. BTW-All the real blues legends know who Jon Spencer is as he is admired greatly by the great players. You all should check him out as his band-Blues Explosion will blow you away. Alex Chilton will be missed as he did it his way.

March 20 2010 at 1:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Monte Clark

Alex Chilton, My friend and a great true musician. He never got the Fame he truly deserved. He will be greatly missed in my music world. You will always be rembered,See you again my friend. Old days buddy.

March 20 2010 at 12:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lemmingsfollowyourleader

Look beyond the articles faults. To the Chilton family, condolences. I have spent a lot of time digging the Boxtops. I'm sorry to hear that Alex didn't benefit as much as he should have. I will look into the music of Big Star. God bless you all.

March 20 2010 at 12:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ringo

Couldn't agree more w/ Platehead.... Blues legend ? Youve GOT to be kidding me !!

March 20 2010 at 11:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply