A host of star names have joined forces to a very special tribute to Big Star singer Alex Chilton at SXSW.
Big Star may not have sold a huge amount of records in their lifetime, but the band’s influence was incalculable. Matching tough, street level R&B with glorious harmonies the Memphis group’s output is nigh on perfect.
Twin songwriting team Chris Bell and Alex Chilton were always set to implode, with Bell the first to depart from Big Star. Later dying of a drugs overdose, the recent death of Alex Chilton means that the stunning voices of Big Star will be heard no more.
The Memphis group were set to perform at this year’s SXSW Festival, with an all star tribute taking place instead. Original members of the band lined up with musicians from REM, The Lemonheads and more at the Austin, Texas show.
R.E.M. star Mike Mills paid tribute to Alex Chilton last week, and he took lead vocals on the track ‘Jesus Christ’. Taken from Big Star’s third album ‘Sister Lovers’ the song is one of the most affecting the songwriter ever released.
Amongst the other performers were members of The Meat Puppets, Evan Dando, punk legend John Doe and more. Norwegian singer Sondre Lerche handled vocal duties on the lush favourite ‘Ballad Of El Goodo’ as fans paid tribute to the late singer.
Lerche played a set of his own material earlier that day (March 20th) winning over the crowd with his songcraft and Scandinavian charm.
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