Alex Chilton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alex Chilton
Chilton performing with Big Star at Hyde Park, London, 2009
Background information
Birth name	William Alexander Chilton
Born	(1950-12-28)December 28, 1950 Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Died	March 17, 2010(2010-03-17) (aged 59) New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Genres	Rock power pop pop rock proto-punk blue-eyed soul indie rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, singer, songwriter, record producer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar, keyboards
Years active	1966–2010
Labels	Ardent, Bar/None, Peabody Records, Big Time, Omnivore (posthumous)
Associated acts	The Box Tops, Big Star, Tav Falco's Panther Burns, Terry Manning

William Alexander Chilton (born December 28, 1950 – died March 17, 2010) was an American musician. He was a singer, songwriter, guitarist, and record producer. Alex Chilton was best known as the lead singer for two bands: the Box Tops and Big Star.

Even though he had big success with the Box Tops when he was a teenager, his later bands and solo music were more "indie." This means his music was often released by smaller labels. Still, many famous rock artists and bands looked up to him. They said he was a huge influence on their music.

Early Music Career

Alex Chilton grew up in a family that loved music. His dad, Sidney Chilton, was a jazz musician. When Alex was a teenager in 1966, a local band asked him to be their lead singer. They heard him sing at a talent show at Central High School in Memphis.

This band was first called Ronnie and the Devilles. Later, they changed their name to the Box Tops. The group recorded their songs with famous producers like Chips Moman and Dan Penn. They worked in studios like American Sound Studio and FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals.

Alex was only 16 years old when the Box Tops released their first big song, "The Letter." It quickly became a number-one hit around the world! The Box Tops had many other popular songs, including "Neon Rainbow" (1967) and "Cry Like a Baby" (1968). Other hits were "Choo Choo Train" (1968) and "Soul Deep" (1969).

Most of the band's songs were written by other talented songwriters. Alex sometimes helped write songs too. By 1969, only Alex and guitarist Gary Talley were left from the original group. The band decided to break up in February 1970.

After the Box Tops, Alex thought about going to Memphis State University. But he decided to become a solo artist instead. He started learning guitar by studying famous players like Steve Cropper and Carl Wilson from the Beach Boys. In late 1969, Alex began recording his own music. He worked with local musicians and even produced some other bands.

Music in the 1970s

After spending some time in New York City, Alex Chilton returned to Memphis in 1971. There, he helped start a new band called Big Star. This group played a style of music called power pop. They recorded their songs at Ardent Studios.

Alex Chilton and Chris Bell wrote a song together called "In the Street." This song was on Big Star's first album, #1 Record. Later, another band called Cheap Trick covered the song. It was even used as the theme song for the TV show That '70s Show.

Big Star's music did not become very popular at first. But Alex Chilton became known as a great rock singer and songwriter. Later, famous alternative rock bands like R.E.M. said Big Star was a big influence on them. Alex also worked on solo recordings during this time.

In 1977, Alex moved back to New York. He performed with a band called "Alex Chilton and the Cossacks." He released an important solo song called "Bangkok" in 1978. Alex was influenced by the punk music scene in New York. His songs from this time were often recorded simply, with few extra sounds.

In New York, he met the band the Cramps. They were a psychobilly group. After moving back to Memphis in 1978, Alex produced some of their music. In 1979, Alex released his solo album Like Flies on Sherbert. This album included his own songs and covers of other artists' music.

Music in the 1980s

Alex Chilton spent most of 1980 and 1981 in Memphis. He did not tour much, except for two shows in London in 1980. One of these shows was recorded and released as a live album. He also continued to work with Tav Falco's Panther Burns.

In 1982, Alex moved to New Orleans. For a while, he worked outside of music. He washed dishes, worked as a janitor, and even trimmed trees. He started playing music again with Panther Burns in 1983. His music style became calmer and more controlled.

In 1984, Alex started playing music full-time again. He played in a cover band at a tourist bar in New Orleans. After that, he started booking his own shows in other cities. This helped restart his music career. For the next 25 years, Alex often toured with his own band. He also recorded solo albums and reunited with the Box Tops and Big Star for short tours.

In 1985, Alex began working with a record label in Paris, France. This label released much of his solo music in Europe. In the U.S., his music was released by other independent labels. Alex started recording new songs, including some originals and covers of other artists. He often added a horn section to his songs, mixing different music styles like soul, jazz, and rock.

In 1986, the band the Bangles released a cover of Alex's Big Star song "September Gurls." The money Alex earned from this song helped him buy his first new car in a long time. He also bought some land in Tennessee. The next year, his fame grew when the band the Replacements wrote a song about him called "Alex Chilton." Alex even played guitar on one of their songs.

In 1987, Alex released his first full-length album in eight years, called High Priest. He produced the album himself and wrote four new songs. He had a good budget, so he could add horns, backup singers, and keyboards to his band. He continued to mix different music styles on this album. Alex also sang Box Tops songs on a tour with other 1960s artists.

Alex released another EP (a shorter album) called Black List in 1989. This EP also showed his love for different kinds of music. It included covers of songs by various artists and three original songs. Alex also produced albums for other bands during the 1980s.

The 1990s

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Alex Chilton toured and recorded as a solo artist. He became known for his unique choice of cover songs and his guitar playing. A music critic from The New York Times said Alex was a "soul and blues guitar connoisseur."

Chilton performing in Tourcoing, France in February 2004

In 1990 and 1991, Alex took a break from music. He lived in a tent on his land in Tennessee and worked on building a house. He never finished the house. In 1993, Alex recorded Clichés, an acoustic album of jazz and pop songs.

Alex's last two studio albums with his band continued his style of mixing different music genres. A Man Called Destruction (1995) had a mix of covers and original songs. It featured horns, keyboards, and backup singers. Alex appeared on TV shows like Late Night with Conan O'Brien to promote the album. His final solo studio album, Loose Shoes and Tight *** (1999), featured only his trio.

In 1993, Alex reformed Big Star with new members. He then added Big Star concerts and recordings to his schedule. The last Big Star studio album, In Space, was released in 2005. A live performance by Big Star from 1994 was released as a DVD in 2014. It showed how Alex's musical talent drove the band.

In 1996, Alex reunited with the original members of the Box Tops. They recorded their final album together, Tear Off!, in 1997. Alex toured with the original Box Tops every year after that.

In 1998, the Big Star song "In the Street" was chosen as the theme song for the TV series That '70s Show. Alex's friend, Ben Vaughn, suggested the song. Later, the band Cheap Trick recorded the version used in the show.

2000 to 2010

In his last ten years, Alex Chilton toured and recorded less often. He chose to spend more time at his home in New Orleans. In 1995, he bought a house in the Tremé neighborhood. He enjoyed working on his house and playing piano. He lost his piano during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Alex was in his New Orleans home during Hurricane Katrina. He was evacuated by helicopter on September 4, 2005. In 2009, he got married again. Alex's last music projects included playing bass on an album and producing music for other artists. His final live performance was in New Orleans on January 24, 2010. It was a benefit show to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Death and Memorial

Alex Chilton was taken to a hospital in New Orleans on March 17, 2010. He had been feeling unwell and died that same day from a heart attack. He had experienced breathing problems in the week before, but he did not see a doctor. He did not have health insurance. Alex was survived by his wife, Laura, his son, Timothee, and his sister, Cecilia.

Alex was supposed to play a concert with Big Star in Austin, Texas, on March 20. Instead, the show became a tribute to him. Many guest musicians joined the other members of Big Star to honor Alex.

Honors and Awards

Star honoring Alex Chilton on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue

Alex Chilton was honored with a star on the outside wall of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue. This star recognizes artists who have sold out shows or made a big contribution to the club's culture. Getting a star there is considered a very important honor for a musician in Minneapolis.

Discography

Albums

• Like Flies on Sherbert – (Peabody, 1979; Aura, 1980)
• Bach's Bottom – (Line, 1980, remixed & reissued 1993 on Razor & Tie)
• High Priest – (New Rose/Big Time, 1987; reissued 1994 on Razor & Tie)
• Clichés – (Ardent, 1993)
• A Man Called Destruction – (Ardent, 1995)
• 1970 – (Ardent, 1996 - Recorded between his tenures with the Box Tops and Big Star, but unreleased until 1996; reissued in 2012 as Free Again: The "1970" Sessions – Omnivore Recordings OVCD-13, Ace Records OVLP13 CDWIKD 302)
• Cubist Blues, with Ben Vaughn and Alan Vega – (Discovery, 1997, reissued by Last Call in 2006 with an extra disc recorded live)
• Loose Shoes and Tight *** – (Last Call, 1999 released as Set in USA – Bar/None, 2000)

Singles and EPs

• Singer Not the Song (EP) – (Ork, 1977)
• "Bangkok" / "Can't Seem to Make You Mine" – (Fun, 1978)
• "Hey Little Child" / "No More the Moon Shines on Lorena" – (Aura 1980 UK)
• Feudalist Tarts (EP) – (New Rose/Big Time, 1985; reissued 1994 on Razor & Tie)
• No *** (EP) – (New Rose/Big Time, 1986; reissued 1994 on Razor & Tie)
• Black List (EP) – (New Rose, 1989; reissued 1994 on Razor & Tie)
• "All We Ever Got From Them Was Pain (Original Mix)" / "All We Ever Got From Them Was Pain (Demo)" – (Omnivore Recordings OVS7-14, 2011)

Live albums

• Live in London – (Aura, 1982 UK). Recorded live at Dingwalls, London, England Wednesday, May 28, 1980.
• Live in Anvers – (Last Call/Rykodisc, 2004)
• Electricity By Candlelight / NYC 2/13/97 – (Bar/None, 2013)
• Ocean Club '77 - (Norton Records, 2015). A 1977 live gig in NYC.
• Boogie Shoes: Live on Beale Street - (Omnivore Recordings, 2021). As Alex Chilton and Hi Rhythm Section, recorded live at the New Daisy Theatre, Memphis, October 7, 1999.

Compilation albums

• One Day in New York - (Trio Records, 1978)
• Alex Chilton's Lost Decade – (Fan Club, 1985)
• Document – (Aura, 1985)
• Stuff – (New Rose, 1987)
• Best of Alex Chilton – (New Rose, 1991)
• 19 Years: A Collection of Alex Chilton – (Rhino, 1991)
• Top 30 – (Last Call, 1997)
• Free Again: The "1970" Sessions – (Omnivore Recordings OVCD-13, 2011)
• From Memphis to New Orleans - (Bar/None, 2019)
• Songs from Robin Hood Lane - (Bar/None, 2019)

Appeared on

• Caroline Now!: The Songs of Brian Wilson and the Beach Boys - (Marina 2000). Alex plays "I Wanna Pick You Up".
• Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits - (Manifesto, 1995). Alex plays "Downtown"
• Who Covers Who? - (CM Discs, 1993). A tribute to The Who. Alex plays "Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere".
• Imagination – (Rough Trade, 1991). A Chet Baker tribute credited to the group Medium Cool. Alex sings "Look for the Silver Lining", "Let's Get Lost", and "That Old Feeling".
• Play New Rose for Me - (New Rose, 1986). Alex plays The Troggs' "With a Girl Like You".
• The Bigtime Syndrome - (Big Time, 1987). Alex plays the Porter Wagoner song "Rubber Room".
• Love Is My Only Crime - (Veracity, 1993). Alex plays the Jim McBride song "Bet Your Heart on Me".
• Acoustic Music Project - A Benefit for Project Open Hand - (Alias, 1990). Live versions of "Guantanamerika" and "No ***".
• Best of Mountain Stage Live, Volume 3 (BMP, 1992). Alex plays "Guantanamerika".
• Live at the Knitting Factory: Downtown Does the Beatles – (Knitting Factory Works, 1992) Alex plays "I Want to Hold Your Hand".
• Vera Groningen - Beauty in the Underworld - (Vera, 1990). Alex plays the Porter Wagoner song "Rubber Room".
• Shoeshine Chartbusters - (Shoeshine, 1997). Alex plays several songs, including "We're Gonna Make It" and "Margie".
• The Weedkiller's Daughter – (John & Mary, 1993)
• I Shall Be Released – (Carmaig de Forest, 1987)
• See My Friends – (Ray Davies, 2010)
• The Ditty Sessions – (Cristina Black, 2010)

See also

In Spanish: Alex Chilton para niños

Images for kids

• 

  Chilton performing with Big Star at Hyde Park, London, 2009

• 

  Chilton performing in Tourcoing, France in February 2004

• 

  Star honoring Alex Chilton on the outside mural of the Minneapolis nightclub First Avenue