Chris Bell (American musician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chris Bell
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Bell in the studio
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Christopher Branford Bell |
| Born | January 12, 1951 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 1978 (aged 27) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1963–1978 |
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Christopher Branford Bell (January 12, 1951 – December 27, 1978) was an American musician. He was also a talented singer and songwriter. Chris Bell was a key member of the power pop band Big Star. He helped lead the band for their first album, #1 Record, released in 1972.
After leaving Big Star, he also worked on his own music. His solo album, I Am the Cosmos, was released after he passed away. Many people have praised Bell's music. Some call him "one of the unsung heroes of American pop music." They say his music had a huge impact on many indie rock bands that came after him.
Bell's songs have inspired many famous bands. These include Beck, R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub, Pixies, and Wilco. Many of these artists have covered his songs. They have also shared how much they admire Big Star's music.
Chris Bell's life and Big Star's journey were shown in a documentary. It was called Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me. This film came out in 2013. A book about his life was also published in 2018. It is titled There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star. This book shares interviews with Bell, his bandmates, friends, and family.
Contents
Chris Bell's Early Music Journey
Before his famous work with Big Star in the 1970s, Chris Bell played in many bands. He started playing music in Memphis in the 1960s. He was only 12 years old when he began. Bell was greatly inspired by The Beatles and other British Invasion bands. These included The Yardbirds and The Who.
One of Bell's first groups was called The Jynx. He played lead guitar in this band from 1964 to 1965. The Jynx played music similar to the British Invasion sound. Later, in the late 1960s, Bell began focusing on writing his own songs. He also started working as a professional session guitarist. This means he played guitar on other artists' recordings.
Joining the Band Big Star
The band that became Big Star grew from two of Chris Bell's earlier projects. These were bands called Icewater and Rock City. Many musicians played in these groups. Eventually, the band members settled on the name 'Big Star'.
The main members for Big Star's first album were Chris Bell (guitars, vocals), Alex Chilton (guitars, vocals), Andy Hummel (bass, vocals), and Jody Stephens (drums, vocals). Bell and Chilton wrote most of the band's songs. Bell loved the music of the British Invasion. He kept his Beatles-inspired pop style throughout his career.
Chris Bell also helped a lot with the sound of Big Star's first album, #1 Record. He worked on mixing and engineering the music. However, the album did not sell well. This was partly because its distributor, Stax, usually sold soul music. They had trouble marketing a rock album. After this, Bell left the band in 1972. He decided to explore his own musical ideas.
Chris Bell's Solo Music
After leaving Big Star, Chris Bell focused on his own music. He recorded many demo songs in Memphis. He worked with old friends like Richard Rosebrough and Terry Manning. Sometimes, Alex Chilton also joined him.
One of his most well-known solo songs is "You and Your Sister". On this song, Bell played guitar and sang. Chilton sang backing vocals. Another friend, Bill Cunningham, helped with the string parts and played bass. From 1975 to 1976, Bell also helped produce music for another band called Prix. He played guitar and sang backing vocals for them too.
In the late 1970s, some of Bell's song lyrics started to show his interest in Christian faith. He released a single in 1978. It had "I Am the Cosmos" on one side and "You and Your Sister" on the other. But none of his solo songs were released on a full album while he was alive.
Almost 14 years after he passed away, his solo songs were finally released. The album was called I Am the Cosmos. It came out in 1992. Like his work with Big Star, this album received great reviews from music critics. One critic wrote that it was clear Big Star was Bell's idea. In 2009, I Am the Cosmos was re-released as a special two-CD version. It included extra songs and notes.
Chris Bell's Personal Interests
Chris Bell was also a hobby photographer when he was younger. This was especially true in the late 1960s. People said he was "quite accomplished" at it. He even made his own photo prints. His style was sometimes similar to the album covers of Jimi Hendrix.
Chris Bell's Passing
Chris Bell passed away on December 27, 1978. He was driving home from a band practice. He lost control of his Triumph TR7 sports car. The car hit a wooden light pole on the side of the road. He was 27 years old when he died. His funeral was held the next day. Chris Bell is buried in Memphis, Tennessee.
Chris Bell's Lasting Influence
Chris Bell's music and Big Star's songs became very popular. This happened with alternative rock musicians in the 1980s. Many well-known artists started talking about Big Star's recordings. They said the music was very important. Bands like R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub, and The Replacements helped spread the word.
The band This Mortal Coil recorded versions of Bell's songs. They covered "I Am the Cosmos" and "You and Your Sister" in 1991. In 1992, The Posies released a single with "Feel" and "I Am the Cosmos."
Big Star's song "In the Street" was chosen for the TV show That '70s Show in 1998. The show used two different cover versions of the song as its theme. One of these was recorded by Cheap Trick in 1999.
Later, Bell's song "Speed of Sound" appeared on an album by The Flaming Lips. Bell's own version of "Speed of Sound" is also heard at the start of the movie Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist. Beck has covered "I Am the Cosmos" in his concerts. Bell's song "There Was a Light" was used in an episode of the TV show Patriot in 2018.
Discography
- The Jynx EPs
- Greatest Hits! – (Norton Records, 10-inch vinyl EP, 2000) TED-1003
- Icewater and Rock City LPs
- Rock City – (Lucky Seven Records CD, 2003) CD 9209
- Looking Forward: The Roots of Big Star – (Omnivore Recordings, 2017)
- Big Star LPs ft. Chris Bell
- #1 Record – (Ardent Records LP, 1972) ADS-2803
- Big Star singles ft. Chris Bell
- "Don't Lie to Me" / "Watch the Sunrise" (Ardent, 1972) ADA-2904
- "Thirteen" / "Watch The Sunrise" (Ardent, 1972) (Promo, mislabeled: reads "Don't Lie to Me" but plays "Thirteen".) ADA-2904
- "In the Street" / "When My Baby's Beside Me" (Ardent, 1972) ADA-2902
- "Feel (alternate mix)" / "Mod Lang (unissued single mix)" (Rhino, 2009) R7 521272
- Chris Bell solo LPs
- I Am the Cosmos – (Rykodisc CASS/CD, 1992) RCD 10222
- I Am the Cosmos – (Four Men with Beard, vinyl LP, 2006) 4M 143
- I Am the Cosmos - Deluxe Edition – (Rhino Handmade 2CD, 2009) RHM2 521305
- I Am the Cosmos - (Omnivore Recordings LP, 2017) OVLP-231
- I Am the Cosmos - Deluxe Edition – (Omnivore Recordings 2CD, 2017) OVCD-231
- Chris Bell solo singles
- "I Am the Cosmos"/"You and Your Sister" – (Car Records single, 1978) CRR6
- "Country Morn" – (Back of Car zine, 6-inch promo flexi-disc, 1995)
- "I Am the Cosmos"/"You and Your Sister" – (Rhino/Car, limited w/ CD, 2009) PR7 521384
- Big Star compilations
- A Little Big Star (Rykodisc, 1992) – promo sampler
- Biggest (Line Records, 1994)
- The Best of (Ace Records, 1999)
- Big Star Story (Rykodisc, 2003)
- Keep an Eye on the Sky (Rhino, 2009) – box set
- Nothing Can Hurt Me (Omnivore Recordings, 2013) – film soundtrack
- Playlist (1972-2005) (Legacy Recordings, 2013)
- Thank You Friends: The Music of Big Star, Alex Chilton, and Chris Bell (Omnivore Recordings promo CD, 2013)
- Jesus Christ (Omnivore Recordings, 2015) - 10", Limited Edition – OVS10-153
- Various Artists compilations
- D.I.Y.: Come Out and Play - American Power Pop (1975-78) - "I Am the Cosmos" – (Rhino Records CD, 1993)
- Oxford American: 2003 Southern Music CD No. 6 – "You and Your Sister" – (Oxford American promo CD, 2003)
- Rockin' Memphis: 1960s–1970s, Volume 1 – (Lucky Seven Records CD, 2003)
- Garage Beat '66, Vol. 2: Chicks Are for Kids! – (Sundazed Music CD, 2004)
- Thank You Friends: The Ardent Records Story – (Big Beat CD, April 2008)
- Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – (Atlantic, 2008)
- Freaks of Nature (film) - "My Life is Right" (Big Star) featured in film – (Columbia Pictures, 2015)
- Chris Bell guest spots as guitarist
- Terry Manning Home Sweet Home (Enterprise, 1970)
- Tommy Hoehn Blow Yourself Up / Love You All Day single (Power Play, 1977)
Filmography
- Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (2013, Magnolia Pictures)
See also
- 27 Club
