I watched Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me twice last
week and now I can’t listen to anything but #1 Record and Radio City on repeat. These records were made in 1972 and 1974
respectively, but when I hear those first few chords of September Gurls, it’s
the early 90’s, I’m 16 years old and
eagerly discovering all the music that would shape me, inspire me and make my
heart hurt in all the best ways. The
Lemonheads, The Flaming Lips, Matthew Sweet, Teenage Fanclub – all of them
citing one common influence on their liner notes, magazine articles and
interviews: Big Star. If all of my
favourite bands loved them, I certainly needed to hear them, so #1 Record and
Radio City made their way into my music collection and have remained a part of
it for the past twenty-something years. For
me, they represent a mixture of heartache, hope, love and youthfulness. Today, I’m remembering Alex Chilton and the music
of Big Star and I am incredibly thankful.
Alex Chilton December 28, 1950 – March 17, 2010
