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Unless you`ve spent the last twenty four years
in the jungle,you must have heard this song at least once and
you might even remember the name of the group :The Box Tops "The
Letter" was the biggest worldwide hit of 1967,topping the
charts everywhere.Several other hits followed including "Cry
like a Baby". "Neon Rainbow" and "Choo Choo
Train"....
Alex was barely 17 years old.
Problems arose when Alex was no longer allowed
to have his say about the choice of new material (Producers dominated
then as now)Poor songs were followed by the enforced replacement
of his friends by professional studio musicians.Being more involved
in music than brief fame and quick money Alex decided to handle
his own career his own way and play his own music.
In 1971 he formed BIG STAR with his
friend Chris Bell.The first BIG STAR album "Radio City"
was released to unanimous critical acclaim and the stage
was set.Unfortunately,the second album "Big Star"
whilst confirming the great talent of Alex and his friends,sold
disappointingly and the groups label refused to release the bands
third album.After many trials and tribulations it did eventually
reach the shops by the end of the 70`s but it was too late for
BIG STAR.Completely disillusioned Alex started to have severe
difficulties and disappeared from the music scene for a while.

Finally resurfacing in the "Big Apple"Alex started
playing in Max`s Kansas City,CBGB`s and all the other New York
bars and clubs and recorded a wonderful but poorly distributed
EP.The follow up single "Bangkok",one of the
best singles of the 70`s gained him the recognition he deserved.A
year later he released the enigmatic "Like Flies on Sherbet"
and produced The Cramps first album "Songs The Lord Taught
Us"
Alex spent the early 80`s producing & playing
with Tav Falco`s Panther Burns before disappearing once again.Or
so it seemed...In fact he moved to New Orleans in 1982 quit drinking
and resolved to clean up his act,This process included time working
as a dish washer and a lumberjack...There would be no more music
until...
Summer 1985 saw the return of a rejuvenated completely
healthy Alex Chilton and the release of his first record for
five years "Feudalist Tarts" (a six track minin
LP) revealed an Alex Chilton who had recovered the Jazz\Soul
influences of his formative years.A great fusion of sophisticated
soul and sublime horn arrangements.
In 1987 he released "High Priest"
then in 1990 the great "Black List".In 94 Alex
recorded one of his all time great LP`s "Cliches" where
he covers standards like "My baby just cares","Time
after Time" and "all of Me".
In 1994 he recorded along with Alan Vega &
ben Vaughan the very brilliant "Cubist blues".
Now Alex is cult idol for bands like the DB`s,
REM,The Violent Femmes.The Soft Boys,The Posies,Teeenage Fanclub.....Others
like The Bangles,Replacements,this Mortal Coil & The Nomads
are playing his tunes.
Alex Chilton is the rock equivalent
of Dennis Hopper,not quite a household name but a legend to all
who have come across him.His work with Big Star and numerous
solo projects have earned him universal respect in the rock world.Alex
Chilton`s "Top 30",a compilation that includes
tracks from all his records plus other rarities gives us one
more example of his
Incredible talent.
discographie sur Last Call

like flies on sherbert |

Top 30 |

loose shoes tight pussy |

cubist blues
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the box tops - tear off |
  
lost decade
- high priest/black list - live in anvers

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