Alex Chilton best known as songwriter/singer and guitarist for Big Star was born on this day in 1950. Alex Chilton’s big commercial success came with his first group The Box Tops. Their big hit “The Letter” Listening to “The Letter” it is hard to believe that the guy singing- Alex Chilton was only 16 at the time. “The Letter” hit #1 in July of 1967. Their other big hit was “Cry Like A Baby” in 1968 that reached #2.

Alex Chilton was offered the job of lead singer for “Blood, Sweat and Tears” but turned it down because it was ‘too commercial” Instead Chilton formed a band with Chris Bell, Jody Stephens and Andy Hummel. They named the band “Big Star” after a grocery chain in the Memphis area. Big Star was the ultimate power pop band. They have been called “The American Beatles” The sad thing is as great as they were, as much as the critics liked them, they didn’t sell much. But they were one of those groups that were highly influential for another generation. All three Big Star albums are well worth owning and a few years ago a great box set was released “Keep An Eye On The Sky” which is  essential. After Big Star broke up Chilton went on to have a solo career but never reached the peak he had with Big Star.

Alex Chilton died of a heart attack on March 17th,2010 at the age of 59.