70 years ago today (12/28/50) the late singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer Alex Chilton was born. Having found small success with The Box Tops who had the 1967 US No.1 & UK No.5 single ‘The Letter,” Chilton formed Big Star in 1971, who helped paved the way for more melodically favored alt-rock of the ’80s and ’90s. REM, The Replacements, Wilco, and others consider the Memphis-based Big Star significant influences. Chilton died il of heart problems in New Orleans on March 17th, 2010 aged 59. Watch Big Star minus the late Chris Bell perform “When My Baby’s Beside Me” live in 1994.
