ALEX CHILTON
Alex Chilton can’t understand why he’s a legend. To the critics, cultists and musicians who worship his landmark early’70s work with Big Star, Chilton’s a musical godhead, his influence looming large in the catalogues of such bands as R.E.M., the Bangles, the dB’s, Game Theory and the Replacements.
From Memphis To Venus And Back Again!
ALEX CHILTON
Harold Demuir
Alex Chilton can’t understand why he’s a legend. To the critics, cultists and musicians who worship his landmark early’70s work with Big Star, Chilton’s a musical godhead, his influence looming large in the catalogues of such bands as R.E.M., the Bangles, the dB’s, Game Theory and the Replacements. The latter combo even recorded a tribute entitled “Alex Chilton” on their latest album. But the unprepossessing Memphis-bred cult deity can’t see what all the fuss is about.
“Well, I mean, I don’t know, I just ignore it,” he says. “I can see why people who are learning to play guitar would like those records, but I don’t see anything that’s real great about them.” Does he feel any spiritual connection with his musical acolytes? “No. They’re all a lot younger than I am. They do things that I quit doing a long time ago.”