Big Star

Alex Chilton, vocalist and founder of Big Star, died last week.

Big Star hardly sold any records during it's brief 3 album stint, but is now recognized as one of the most influential and certainly under appreciated bands of the 1970s. Big Star was crucial in the emergence of alternative and indie rock in the 80's and 90's, and a key influence of pioneering bands like the Bangles and the Replacements.

South by Southwest had a tribute concert for Alex Chilton, which featured almost exclusively male rockers. That's a shame, since Big Star's music has been covered and wonderfully re-arranged by a huge array of musicians.

Here's a broader sampling of Big Star's legacy from BitchTapes...full track list after the fold.