A much loved and respected figure in music passed away yesterday when Memphis singer Alex Chilton passed away. He was 59. The singer, songwriter, performer and producer died in New Orleans of a suspected heart attack. Chilton rose to prominence in the band Big Star, but first found success at 16 years old in The Box Tops, famous for their hit The Letter in 1967. Chilton had been due to perform at South By Southwest in Texas with Big Star on Saturday March 20th.
Friends and contemporaries have been reacting to Chilton's passing:
Andy Hummel (Big Star): "I hope people really understand and appreciate what a brilliant musician musician the guy was. He should be remembered in that way. He was a really creative genius, always testing the limits".
Mike Mills (REM): "Alex Chilton's music was a big part of my life and a huge influence to REM".
Steve Drozd (The Flaming Lips): "I'll always have 'Blue Moon' by Big Starto warm my heart and make me cry."
Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream): "He made so many great records, and they were crazy rock 'n' roll records. But they were also art records and beautiful records, mournful records, sad records, joyous records. What I'm trying to say is that Alex Chilton was one of the greats."
