Singer Alex Chilton passes at 59 of suspected heart attack...

[gmoney]

http://pitchfork.com/news/38212-alex-chilton-rip/

"Crushing news today from the Memphis Commercial Appeal: Alex Chilton, the legendary singer, songwriter, and performer who created music with the Box Tops, Big Star, and as a solo artist, died today. Chilton was in New Orleans and was scheduled to play in Austin this weekend with the reunited Big Star as part of SXSW. According to the paper, he complained of feeling ill and was taken by paramedic to the hospital. Cause of death has not been confirmed, but the Commercial Appeal reports that it is believed to be a heart attack. Chilton was 59. We'll update with further details when available."

Very very sad indeed...

Back in 2005, there were concerns he died in Katrina...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4663918

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

1. Just heard that. horrible news, horrible loss

RIP :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

59 is far, far too young.

[miscsoc]

2. damn

that's tragic. i'm going to end up downloading his whole catalogue tonight, which is what I always tend to do when some musician I liked but hadn't explored much dies. At least you know you're getting the complete set, I guess. Stupid joke. That's not why I do it, but when artists die I always regret not paying more attention to what they were up to, and want to catch up. 59. Pity.

[gmoney]

5. Some of my favorites to maybe look for...

High Priest/Feudalist Tarts
Cliches
Big Star #1 Record/Radio City
Big Star Sister Lover

...one consolation is that I bet there's a TON of material in the vaults, and I wouldn't be surprised if there's not a new Big Star album "in the can" as they say in the biz...

But yeah, I tend to do the same thing -- it's kind of a natural response. Just a few weeks ago, I relistened to the first two Knack albums and was transported back about 25 years...

[miscsoc]

8. will do

Listened to #1 Record and Sister Lover a lot, never heard the others

How's "Like Flies on Sherbert"? I'm going to listen to that just on the basis of the title, it just sounds very good in a Chiltonian way.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

3. When I heard this I wanted to

Cry like a baby.............

[fishwax]

4. sad surprise

:(

[REP]

6. Last year Lux; now Alex

Fuck

[blogslut]

7. Damn

He sure could sing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVY691ObVJE

[gmoney]

9. Yeah, IIRC he was like 16 or 17 when he recorded those huge Box Tops hits...

Had the voice of an experienced blues man even then...

On edit: Yeah, "The Letter" was a hit when he was still 16. His wiki entry is very interesting... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Chilton

[Zomby Woof]

10. I was a college DJ back in the late 80's

Alex was a staple. This news brings home our limited time here and the fragility of life.

RIP Alex.

[darkstar]

11. "Thirteen" aches just a bit more tonight, doesn't it?

eom

[darkstar]

12. I wish we had a joint so bad...

[Wickerman]

13. R.I.P. Alex

thanks for all.

Damn, so sad.

[peekaloo]

14. Sad

A friend in Austin was all jazzed about his upcoming appearance at SXSW.

RIP to an influential artist. :cry: