- Chris Bell (RIP) - vocals, guitar (1972-)

- Alex Chilton - vocals, guitar (1972-)

- Andy Hummel - bass (1972-74)

- Jody Stephens - drums, percussion (1972-)
   

- Chris Bell (solo efforts)

- The Box Tops (Alex Cilton)

- Alex Childton (solo efforts)

Genre: rock

Rating: ***** (5 stars)

Title:  #1 Record

Company: Ardent

Catalog: 

Year: 1972

Country/State: Memphis, Tennessee

Grade (cover/record): NM/NM

Comments: -- 

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not listed yet

Price: $70.00

Disgusted with The Box Top's unwillingness to record his own material (see separate entry), singer/guitarist Alex Chilton quit the band in the midst of a 1970 New York concert. After a two year hiatus he hooked up with singer/guitarist/writer Chris Bell in the Memphis-based Ice Water. Deciding on a musical collaboration, the two recruited bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens, forming Big Star (the name taken from a local grocery chain). 

Signed by Terry Manning's Ardent Records, the quartet debuted with 1972's "#1 Record". Produced by Manning with John Fry serving as executive producer, the LP reflected a collaborative effort, all four members contributing material. Ironically, with radio and the buying public fascinated with fusion and art-rock, Big Star seemed determined to avoid popular tastes, focusing their efforts on English 60's rock; complete with Beatles styled harmonies ("The Ballad of El Goode") and Byrds-styled Rickenbacker guitars ("In the Street"). Exemplified by material such as glistening "When My Baby's Beside Me", "My Life Is Right " and "Don't Lie To Me" the results were simply magical. Classic power-pop, literally every one of the 11 tracks would have sounded great on radio. Unfortunately, in spite of rave critical reviews, the small Stax-affiliated Ardent label ran into severe distribution problems which effectively limited sales. A must own addition to your collection and ours is offered at an affordable cost ...

Reportedly upset by the debut's poor sales, frustrated over musical direction and unhappy with Chilton's desire to tour, Bell split in favor of a solo career (see separate entry). Sadly, after the release of an instantly obscure single, his career went into hibernation. He was subsequently killed in a December, 1978 traffic accident. 

"#1 Record" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Feel (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 3:31
2.) The Ballad of El Goode (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 4:39
2.) In the Street (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 2:53
3.) Thirteen (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 2:36
4.) Don't Lie To Me (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 3:11
5.) The India Song (Andy Hummel) - 2:20

(side 2)

1.) When My Baby's Beside Me (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 3:20
2.) My Life Is Right (Chris Bell - Eubanks) - 3:07
3.) Give Me Another Chance (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 3:25
4.) Try Again (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 4:06
5.) Watch the Sunrise (Chris Bell - Alex Chilton) - 3:10

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  Radio City

Company: Ardent

Catalog: ADS-1501

Year: 1973

Country/State: Memphis, Tennessee

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: cut out notch at bottom; minor ring wear

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not listed yet

Price: $40.00

With Bell history, the band actually broke up, but a contractual obligation to perform at a rock writers convention led to a brief reunion between Chilton, Hummel and Stephens. Hired to perform at the convention, the audience response was so impressive that the trio decided to give it one more shot. Released in 1973, "Radio City" was far different from the debut.  Having co-written most of the debut with Bell, Chilton found himself forced to assume the writing burden. He responded admirably with a collection far rougher and tougher than the debut. Exemplified by tracks such as "Way Out West", "Back of a Car" and "You Get What You Deserve" Chilton underscored his growing dissatisfaction with his personal life and the music business. While we'll readily admit to missing the debut's glorious harmonies, propelled by Chilton's scratchy voice and jangle guitar, anyone hearing tracks such as "Mod Lang", "Daisy Glaze" and the classic "September Gurls" for the first time in the late-'90s would be amazed to discover that Chilton and company weren't contemporaries of The dbs, The Replacements, or Matthew Sweet. Attracting rave critical reviews, the collection was thoroughly ignored by radio and the buying public. Chilton, Stephens and bassist Johnny Lightner (replacing Hummel), hit the road, touring up and down the East Coast (having their equipment stolen in Boston). The effort was fruitless, Ardent's slow financial collapse and changing public tastes ensuring the album quickly ended up in cutout bins. (Anyone know why they chose to record the opener "O My Soul" in mono and the rest of the set in stereo?)

"Radio City" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) O My Soul (Alex Chilton) - 5:35
2.) Life Is White (Alex Chilton - Andy Hummel) - 3:18
3.) Way Out West (Andy Hummel) - 2:46
4.) What's Goin' Ahn (Alex Chilton - Andy Hummel) - 2:37
5.) You Get What You Deserve (Alex Chilton) - 3:05
6.) Mod Lang (Alex Chilton - Rosebrough) - 2:42

(side 2)

2.) Back of a Car (Alex Chilton - Andy Hummel) - 2:42
3.) Daisy Glaze (Alex Chilton - Andy Hummel - Jody Stephens) - 3:47
4.) She's a Mover (Alex Chilton) - 3:09
5.) September Gurls (Alex Chilton) - 2:46
6.) Morpha Too (Alex Chilton) - 1:28

Genre: rock

Rating: **** (4 stars)

Title:  3rd

Company: PVC 

Catalog: 7903

Country/State: Memphis, Tennessee

Year: 1978

Grade (cover/record): NM/NM

Comments: --

Available: 1

GEMM Catalog ID: not listed yet

Price: $30.00

Returning to Memphis, with assistance from guitarist Steve Cropper and other Memphis studio musicians the band recorded a third collection in 1974. Tentatively titled "Sister Lovers", in the wake of Ardent's collapse the tapes were shelved. Shortly afterwards the band collapsed, with Chilton embarking on an erratic solo career. In 1978 PVC acquired rights to the previously shelved album. Though billed as a Big Star effort, "3rd", effectively served as a Chilton solo effort - the artist responsible for 12 of the 14 tracks. Produced by Dickinson, and backed by an all-star cast of Memphis studio musicians, the set offered up a disorienting hodgepodge of musical styles and themes. Anyone expecting another set of sunny, Beatles-inspired pop was in for a major shock. Exemplified by tracks such as "O, Dana", "Take Care" and "Blue Moon" it was clear Chilton wasn't particularly happy with his life and surroundings. On the other hand, tracks such as "Stroke It Noel", "Kizza Me" and "You Can't Have Me" made it clear he could still rock with the best of the lot. Elsewhere, Chilton's cover of the Velvet Underground's "Femme Fetale" and the lazy original "Big Black Car" were particularly good. (Perhaps a reflection of the fact the set was never really finalized for release, to our ears the distant, echo-enhanced production sounded as if it were recorded in a shower.) Pete Tomlinson's fawning, extended sleeve notes were worth reading. Sadly, later in the year Bell died in a car crash.

"3rd" track listing:
1.) Stroke It Noel (Alex Chilton) - 2:04
2.) For You (Jody Stephens) - 2:45
3.) Kizza Me (Alex Chilton) - 2:45
4.) You Can't Have Me (Alex Chilton) - 3:11
5.) Nighttime (Alex Chilton) - 2:53
6.) Blue Moon (Alex Chilton) - 2:07
7.) Take Care (Alex Chilton) - 2:48
8.) Jesus Christ (Alex Chilton) - 2:38
9.) Femme Fatale (Lou Reed) - 3:32
10.) O, Dana (Alex Chilton) - 2:35
11.) Big Black Car (Alex Chilton - Chris Gage) - 3:37
12.) Holocaust (Alex Chilton) - 3:35
13.) Kanga Roo (Alex Chilton) - 3:47

Genre: rock

Rating: *** (3 stars)

Title:  Big Star's 3rd: Sister Lovers

Company: PVC

Catalog: PVC 8933

Year: 1978

Country/State: Memphis, Tennessee

Grade (cover/record): VG/VG

Comments: minor edge wear

Available: 1

GEMM catalog ID: not listed yes

Price: $40.00

Cost: $15.00

By the time 1974's "Big Star's 3rd" Sister Lovers" was recorded the band had essentially collapsed with Chilton and drummer Stephens being the only original surviving members (bassist Hummel went back to school to get an engineering degree).  In addition to their own personal and professional disfunctionality, Chilton and company weren't exactly helped by the fact that Stax/Ardent were in the throes of financial collapse.  Against that backdrop  It was somehow only fitting that when the sessions were completed, the master tapes ended up spending four years on the shelf before finally being released by the small Aura label in 1978.  (The album's subsequently seen a dizzying set of re-issues, including this 1985 effort.)  

Produced by Jim Dickenson, this may be the most fascinating Big Star release.  Musically the set's a complete mess with Chilton and company's personal and professional problems and frustrations erupting amidst a tidal wave of hate and discontent.  Want to hear what a mental meltdown or a fatal traffic accident sound like?  This is real close !!!  Having listened to this album dozens of times, it's simply unlike anything else in my collection.  Tracks such as 'Nightime', 'Blue Moon' and 'Holocaust' give you the impression Chilton just didn't care any more.  The pop perfection that made earlier albums such a pleasure is all but absent.  In it's place you get a thoroughly rough and raw mix that will drive lots of people crazy.  Mind you, Chilton was simply too talented to turn in a totally crappy album (think he lost his melodic edge, then check out 'O, Dana'), but compared to the earlier sets this one is unnerving.  It's also fascinating in a truly bizarre fashion - like trying to take your eyes off a nasty traffic accident. That weird feeling is underscored by Dickinson's echoy production and Carl Marsh's fragile 'Eleanore Rigby' styled string arrangements that support songs such as ''Take Care'.  Elsewhere,  'Stroke It Noel' and 'for You' are the only rays of hope and sunshine to be found on the entire album. 

"Big Star's 3rd" Sister Lovers" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Stroke It Noel   (Alex Chilton) - 2:04

2.) For You   (Jody Stephens) - 2:41

3.) Kizza Me   (Alex Chilton) - 2:44

4.) You Can't Have Me   (Alex Chilton) - 3:11

5.) Nightime   (Alex Chilton) - 2:53

6.) Blue Moon   (Alex Chilton) - 2:05

7.) Take Care   (Alex Chilton) - 2:46

(side 2)

1.) Jesus Christ   (Alex Chilton) - 2:37

2.) Femme Fatale   (Lou Reed) - 3:26

3.) O, Dana   (Alex Chilton) - 2:34

4.) Big Black Car   (Alex Chilton) - 3:35

5.) Holocaust   (Alex Chilton) - 3:47

6.) Kanga Roo   (Alex Chilton) - 3:46

7.) Thank You Friends   (Alex Chilton) - 3:05