Big Star

[hammersavage]

I'm just getting into this band. I didn't know too much about them accept Wilco did a cover of a song called 'Thirteen' that I liked so I checked out more. And I wanted to understand the Replacements reference (Alex Chilton).

I don't understand why this wasn't as huge as anything from that time period. It's so good. Anyone else listen to them?

[KennethC]

I'm a Big Star fan - particularly of Radio City and Big Star Third. Radio City is like mid-period Beatles, only skewed and dissipated. One of the top twenty greatest records I've ever heard.

[IMSlacker]

I love Big Star. I'd probably put #1 Record on my top ten all time album list. No idea why they weren't bigger than they were. I also thought it might renew interest in them when That 70's Show used "In The Street" for it's theme song. Didn't seem to though.

[TheMojoPin]

I heart Big Star. A LOT.

[klaus_kinski_Jr]

I love Big Star. I'd probably put #1 Record on my top ten all time album list. No idea why they weren't bigger than they were. I also thought it might renew interest in them when That 70's Show used "In The Street" for it's theme song. Didn't seem to though.
It's funny I know somewhere there is a recording of a show Alex Chilton did. Where he talks about how very little money he got for the use of the song.

#1/Radio City best twofer of albums out there

[TheMojoPin]

It's funny I know somewhere there is a recording of a show Alex Chilton did. Where he talks about how very little money he got for the use of the song.

#1/Radio City best twofer of albums out there

Doesn't help that Cheap Trick raped the fuck out of the song for the TV series.

[IMSlacker]

Doesn't help that Cheap Trick raped the fuck out of the song for the TV series.

Yeah, I always wondered why they had Cheap Trick re-do that song. Why not just use the original, or use a real Cheap Trick song?

[paulisded]

I agree that Big Star should have been huge. Unfortunately, they were at the wrong place at the right time. They could have easily fit right in the airwaves of that time, particularly when you see all the Badfinger singles that made the radio.

But Big Star was signed to a subsidiary of Stax Records. While Stax was a legendary label in it's mid-60's heyday, they were going through financial problems at the time Big Star was recording. The first thing that gets cut in those situations are the subsidiary labels. Plus, they had no clue how to promote a non-R&B band.

From what I've read, the first album actually got some airplay in a few markets, but the label couldn't capitalize. Hell, they couldn't even get the album in the stores of those markets.

[epo]

I'm a huge Big Star fan. #1 Record is a true achievement in music. Unfortunately a bad label and the personal battles of Chris Bell doomed the project from the start.

The first album is so tremendous as Chilton & Bell made a really great songwriting combo. The unfortunate thing is once Bell left the band, the whole band was Chilton's...and while I love Alex Chilton, much of his music is disorganized and you could hear the different without Bell.

Has anyone ever heard Chris Bell's solo album?

Oh well, another band that didn't fit the times. Sort of like the band that was heavily influenced by them....the Replacements.

[TheMojoPin]

I'm a huge Big Star fan. #1 Record is a true achievement in music. Unfortunately a bad label and the personal battles of Chris Bell doomed the project from the start.

The first album is so tremendous as Chilton & Bell made a really great songwriting combo. The unfortunate thing is once Bell left the band, the whole band was Chilton's...and while I love Alex Chilton, much of his music is disorganized and you could hear the different without Bell.

Has anyone ever heard Chris Bell's solo album?

Oh well, another band that didn't fit the times. Sort of like the band that was heavily influenced by them....the Replacements.

Bell and Chilton were definitely guys who were MUCH stronger working together than apart...they helped temper each other's musical obsessions into something really good. The Bell-less Big Star definitely still had some great moments, but as a whole I agree that they were a mess. That said, I definitely prefer Chilton's contributions to the group more than Bell's. Bell wanted things a little too "big," a la his solo stuff like "I am the Cosmos."

Besides, Chilton has a kickass Replacements song about him.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing, "I'm in love, what's that song?
I'm in love with that song!"

I never travel far, without a little Big Star...

[paulisded]

Bell and Chilton were definitely guys who were MUCH stronger working together than apart...they helped temper each other's musical obsessions into something really good. The Bell-less Big Star definitely still had some great moments, but as a whole I agree that they were a mess. That said, I definitely prefer Chilton's contributions to the group more than Bell's. Bell wanted things a little too "big," a la his solo stuff like "I am the Cosmos."

Besides, Chilton has a kickass Replacements song about him.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing, "I'm in love, what's that song?
I'm in love with that song!"

I never travel far, without a little Big Star...

Obviously, I love that song.

It's sort of hard to compare Chilton and Bell outside of the first two albums. By the time the Bell-less Big Star went into record Third, Chilton was a mess thanks to booze, drugs, and the underage pair of girls who were the objects of his (and I think Jody Stephens) obsessions. Plus, Third has never really come out as they envisioned it. Whenever it has been released it's been put together by outsiders. Since then, Chilton has had such little ambtion - he goes into a studio and just records whatever he feels like it.

Having said that, Bell's I am the Cosmos is a briliant song. Golden Smog do a fantastic version of it live.

[epo]

Bell and Chilton were definitely guys who were MUCH stronger working together than apart...they helped temper each other's musical obsessions into something really good. The Bell-less Big Star definitely still had some great moments, but as a whole I agree that they were a mess. That said, I definitely prefer Chilton's contributions to the group more than Bell's. Bell wanted things a little too "big," a la his solo stuff like "I am the Cosmos."

Besides, Chilton has a kickass Replacements song about him.

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing, "I'm in love, what's that song?
I'm in love with that song!"

I never travel far, without a little Big Star...

I couldn't agree with you more about Bell & Chilton's styles blending together to create a greater sound.

As for the Mats "Alex Chilton" I saw Paul Westerberg on tour in 2001 and he did the line like this:

"I never travel far, without a little G'n'R"

Obviously an ode to Tommy.

[epo]

Obviously, I love that song.

It's sort of hard to compare Chilton and Bell outside of the first two albums. By the time the Bell-less Big Star went into record Third, Chilton was a mess thanks to booze, drugs, and the underage pair of girls who were the objects of his (and I think Jody Stephens) obsessions. Plus, Third has never really come out as they envisioned it. Whenever it has been released it's been put together by outsiders. Since then, Chilton has had such little ambtion - he goes into a studio and just records whatever he feels like it.

Having said that, Bell's I am the Cosmos is a briliant song. Golden Smog do a fantastic version of it live.

I've always thought that if you took the strong material from Bell's "I am the Cosmos" and the strong material from "Sister Lovers" and did some real producing....you'd have a helluva album.

[paulisded]

I couldn't agree with you more about Bell & Chilton's styles blending together to create a greater sound.

As for the Mats "Alex Chilton" I saw Paul Westerberg on tour in 2001 and he did the line like this:

"I never travel far, without a little G'n'R"

Obviously an ode to Tommy.

Yep, he also did that at one of the show I saw...with a bit of a grimace as he sang it.

[TheMojoPin]

Yep, he also did that at one of the show I saw...with a bit of a grimace as he sang it.

In the early 2000's, he and Tommy pretty much out and out hated each other, and were very public with it. They've obviously reonciled since and have worked together a few times, but when Tommy first joined GnR it made things real ugly between him and Paul.

And, and the Posies do my favorite version of "I Am The Cosmos."

[paulisded]

In the early 2000's, he and Tommy pretty much out and out hated each other, and were very public with it. They've obviously reonciled since and have worked together a few times, but when Tommy first joined GnR it made things real ugly between him and Paul.

And, and the Posies do my favorite version of "I Am The Cosmos."

When it was announced that Soul Asylum's Karl Mueller had cancer, there was a benefit for him in Minneapolis. I travelled up for it, and saw not only Paul but a Husker Du mini-reunion, Golden Smog, Steve Wynn (ex-Dream Syndicate), and Mueller's last appearance as a member of SA.

Months later, when Tommy released his solo album he told an interviewer that he was across the street at a restaurant during this event. If only the two had patched things up at that point!

[TheMojoPin]

Husker Du mini-reunion

And that's about the most you'll get out of them. Those guys don't even speak to each other.

[paulisded]

And that's about the most you'll get out of them. Those guys don't even speak to each other.

It was the two who don't speak to each other - Bob Mould and Grant Hart. Bob played a couple of songs by himself and then the entire building was shocked to see Hart come up on stage. They did 2 (maybe 3) songs together and then left. Both have said afterwards that they did it only for Karl.

Bassist Greg Norton still gets along with both of them, but he runs a restaurant in Wisconsin. He's a great guy; I met him in the early 90's. fIREHOSE played in my hick city, and Norton and his wife drove from Minneapolis to surprise and hang out with Mike Watt. What a thrill it was to sit at the bar between two of my favorite bass players while Watt wrote up the setlist.

[TheMojoPin]

It was the two who don't speak to each other - Bob Mould and Grant Hart. Bob played a couple of songs by himself and then the entire building was shocked to see Hart come up on stage. They did 2 (maybe 3) songs together and then left. Both have said afterwards that they did it only for Karl.

Bassist Greg Norton still gets along with both of them, but he runs a restaurant in Wisconsin. He's a great guy; I met him in the early 90's. fIREHOSE played in my hick city, and Norton and his wife drove from Minneapolis to surprise and hang out with Mike Watt. What a thrill it was to sit at the bar between two of my favorite bass players while Watt wrote up the setlist.

Nice! Did he still have the moustache?

Love that the dude who looked the gyaest in the band was the only one who wasn't gay.

[paulisded]

Nice! Did he still have the moustache?

Love that the dude who looked the gyaest in the band was the only one who wasn't gay.

Actually he did!

[epo]

Nice! Did he still have the moustache?

Love that the dude who looked the gyaest in the band was the only one who wasn't gay.

You can't beat the handlebar!

[klaus_kinski_Jr]

And that's about the most you'll get out of them. Those guys don't even speak to each other.

What really stinks is that someone did tape the whole event. But it sounds so crappy. Like the taper had the mics covered with pillows and recorded under water.

[paulisded]

What really stinks is that someone did tape the whole event. But it sounds so crappy. Like the taper had the mics covered with pillows and recorded under water.

Yeah, I have that recording. But the acoustics in the place stunk. The venue was formerly a dance bar co-owned by Prince that somebody had the bright idea to try to compete with First Avenue.

[epo]

Yeah, I have that recording. But the acoustics in the place stunk. The venue was formerly a dance bar co-owned by Prince that somebody had the bright idea to try to compete with First Avenue.

Speaking of the First Avenue...there is a movie called "First Avenue Hay Day" that is working it's way around.

You Tube of the trailer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUGpDlJYQTE)

[paulisded]

Speaking of the First Avenue...there is a movie called "First Avenue Hay Day" that is working it's way around.

You Tube of the trailer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUGpDlJYQTE)

Yeah, I almost travelled up to Minneapolis to see that this weekend.

But I have another trip I have to save my dollars for. :)

[badorties]

In the early 2000's, he and Tommy pretty much out and out hated each other, and were very public with it. They've obviously reonciled since and have worked together a few times, but when Tommy first joined GnR it made things real ugly between him and Paul.

And, and the Posies do my favorite version of "I Am The Cosmos."

probably, all time favorite song is the replacement's cover of "september girls"

[paulisded]

probably, all time favorite song is the replacement's cover of "september girls"

Or their cover of "Another Girl, Another Planet".

[epo]

Or their cover of "Another Girl, Another Planet".

I love that cover.

[Fat_Sunny]

Hey Epo, In The Late 60's Milwaukee Station WZMF Was "Alternative" And The Only Place You Could Hear Stuff Like Big Star. They Played Lots Of Great Things, Like Julie Driscoll With Brian Auger And The Trinity Singing "Season Of The Witch". You Would Never Hear That Anywhere Else.

F_S Had A Friend Who Had A Late-Night Gig On WZMF When She Was Still In High School. That Station Was Way Ahead Of Its Time!

Somewhere Packed In Boxes In His Basement F_S Has A Couple Of Vinyl Big Stars That He Hasn't Even Thought About For 20 Years. Thanks To This Thread, He's Ordered A CD Of #1 Record!

[epo]

Hey Epo, In The Late 60's Milwaukee Station WZMF Was "Alternative" And The Only Place You Could Hear Stuff Like Big Star. They Played Lots Of Great Things, Like Julie Driscoll With Brian Auger And The Trinity Singing "Season Of The Witch". You Would Never Hear That Anywhere Else.

F_S Had A Friend Who Had A Late-Night Gig On WZMF When She Was Still In High School. That Station Was Way Ahead Of Its Time!

Somewhere Packed In Boxes In His Basement F_S Has A Couple Of Vinyl Big Stars That He Hasn't Even Thought About For 20 Years. Thanks To This Thread, He's Ordered A CD Of #1 Record!

Fat - That Station WZMF was before my time, but I've heard about it as it was based very near my home in Menomonee Falls. Apparently it ran in the 60's & 70's as a progressive rock station that had no set playlist. Could you imagine a station doing that today!

[Fat_Sunny]

Fat - That Station WZMF was before my time, but I've heard about it as it was based very near my home in Menomonee Falls. Apparently it ran in the 60's & 70's as a progressive rock station that had no set playlist. Could you imagine a station doing that today!


Yeah, There Are Very Few People Alive Whose Time It Was Not Before!

Fat's Friend Had A Late-Night Call-In Request Show. It's Amazing She Was Able To Finagle This Gig At Age 16. Oh Well, It Was A Different And Less "Corporate" Time!

[hammersavage]

The CBS show 'How I Met Your Mother' played 'Thirteen' during their final scene on last night episode. It was about 10 minutes after I listened to it on my ipod. It freaked me out but they used it very well.

[epo]

Apparently founding member of Big Star, Andy Hummel has passed away.

Link here. (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/07/20/2010-07-20_andy_hummel_big_stars_founding_bassist_dies_at_ 59_of_cancer.html)

[danner1515]

Apparently founding member of Big Star, Andy Hummel has passed away.

Link here. (http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/07/20/2010-07-20_andy_hummel_big_stars_founding_bassist_dies_at_ 59_of_cancer.html)

Just saw that on the AV Club. Just four months after Alex. Sad news.