Saturday, March 20, 2010

Visiting with the nieces


Young Catherine

Young Natalie



Blue Moon (more Alex)



Big Star, 1974.

Big Star's leader, the legendary Alex Chilton, died earlier this week, in New Orleans, at age 59.

(Paul Westerberg: Beyond the Box Tops New York Times)


I saw 'im at the Coach House years ago, and he was all that I hoped he would be. He was an excellent musician; he could do anything. But the whole vibe of his performance was: I don't give a shit. He smoked the way people used to smoke, all slow motion and glares, plus endlessly dissipating stinking clouds. He said things, but he clearly did not want to hear requests. Or he did, just so he could ignore them. He had a total fuck you face.

They say he was very difficult. Don't really know. Probably so.

He produced the Cramps' first album.

He refused to compromise, and it doomed him to the commercial margins.

He was pretty wonderful.

Even his choice of covers was perfect. The Seeds:




Alex Chilton, 1970. My favorite version of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" ever! Only an American band could do this.

Roy's obituary in LA Times and Register: "we were lucky to have you while we did"

  This ran in the Sunday December 24, 2023 edition of the Los Angeles Times and the Orange County Register : July 14, 1955 - November 20, 2...