| BIG STAR IS: Chris Bell-Guitar, Vocals Alex CHilton-Guitars, Vocals Andy Hummel-Bass, Vocals Jody Stephens-Drums
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| You would think that an album named "#1 Record" would get at least some notice, but Big Stars 1972 release of "#1 Record" did't even chart! Born from the creative minds of Chris Bell and Alex Chilton, Big Star offered a somewhat original sound in a time where pop was on it's way out. It wasn't lack of radio play that doomed Big Star, it was a poor record distributer called Stax. See, Big Star recorded in Memphis, Tennessee at a place called Ardent Studios and Stax was a local record distributer and failed to see the potential of Anglo-power-pop and by failing to stock their record in stores. Despite a Lennon/McCartney-esque songwriting partnership between Bell/Chilton, Big Star ended before it began. Chris Bell left Big Star following "#1 Record". After the split, Chilton, Hummel, and Stephens decided to keep on, determined to continue the band. With the 1974 release of a second album full of listener friendly songs, "Radio City", you would think that Stax would do a better job (especially with a great album title again) and Big Star would take off....well...no. Stax wasn't a great distributer and the band once agian was a commercial flop. !975 came and Big Star was sounding more like Swan Song as Chilton basically created a solo album, "Third/Sister Lovers/Beale St Green", whatever it's called with Big Stars name on it. It's not that it wasn't a good album, but Alex, fustrated by Stax, used a series of downers and recorded a Velvet Underground type record. Chris wasn't doing to well either. He was also very fustrated at this time with his solo career and used a number of drugs while recording various songs at still more various studios. Big Star broke up for good after the "Third" album and Chris died tragically in an auto accident in 1978 after getting his life back on track. Big Star has left a huge mark on musicians and underground fans as well. Their body of work is timeless and it's about time that the recognition has finally been showered upon this classic band. Big Star was basically the Beatles of the 70's, but without the screaming fanfare. If stuck on a desert island and could only choose 3 records, a Big Star record would be one of them.
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