“For our last performance as Big Star, Jon, Ken and I had some very good friends join us to celebrate the music and lives of Alex, Andy and Chris on May 15, 2010. The performances really tell the story of what happened and how we all felt about that evening at Memphis’ Levitt Shell. The idea of trying to release the show in its entirety was overwhelming in the sense of time and effort needed for all performance clearances.

So I thought, first artist first: John Davis was the first of many wonderful guest artists to join us on stage. He wailed on three songs: “In The Street,” “Don’t Lie To Me” and “When My Baby’s Beside Me.” These were just the right amount songs (and time) for an EP release. So with mastering engineer Larry Nix and Big Star’s engineer, John Fry, and our Neumann cutting lathe all residing in the Ardent Studios building how could we not cut vinyl?

Watch the video clip below for an idea of what the evening was like. We hope to release more of the show down the road.”

http://blurt-online.com/news/view/5074/

http://listendammit.com/2011/06/09/big-star-alex-chilton-tribute/

http://www.hyperbolium.com/2011/06/09/big-star-tribute-to-alex-chilton/

http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2011/06/12/in-the-news-radiohead-red-hot-chili-peppers-beirut-big-star-dinosaur-jr-mates-of-state-primus-bottle-rockets-jayhawks-john-doe-and-more/

http://thevinylanachronist.blogspot.com/2011/06/big-star-with-john-davis-of-superdrag-7.html

Star & Micey

Below is a video of the guys performing a new song called “Jesus and the Devil,” which they’ll be cutting real soon with Curry Weber and John Hampton.  It’s a real fun song with a folk gospel feel.  Watch Nicky Reds punch Josh in the leg at the end.

Here’s another vid from the MMF booth. It’s an unreleased song called “Only I Would Know.” 8Ball and MJG walk up at the end.

And here’s one of them doing a tribute to Alex Chilton by performing “Thirteen” going into one of their unreleased songs, “Gonna Lose My Mind.” This was the first time they played it and ended up changing it up for the Barbarella showcase (if anyone has footage of it, please let me know – jdavis@ardentmusic.com).  They played it at the Hi-Tone the other night and it was incredible.

Alex Chilton’s passing took everyone by surprise and was just terrible news.  But Jody Stephens, stunned and in mourning, pushed forward with John Auer, Ken Stringfellow (of The Posies and current Big Star band members) and original Big Star bassist Andy Hummel. They did the scheduled panel set up by Bob Mehr and put together a tribute to Alex with guest appearances by Chris Stamey of The dB’s, Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets, M. Ward of She & Him and acclaimed solo artist, Mike Mills of R.E.M., John Doe of X, Sondre Lerche, Chuck Prophet, Evan Dando of The Lemonheads, Amy Speace, Susan Cowsill, and The Watson Twins.

You can view the set list here and here are some videos from the show.

Heather West reads a letter from Alex’s wife, Laura Chilton.

M. Ward performing “Big Black Car”

Sondre Lerche singing “Ballad of El Goodo”

Chuck Prophet performing “Thank You Friends”

Susan Cowsill, The Watson Twins, and Andy Hummel singing “September Gurls”

Mike Mills singing “Jesus Christ”

The scheduled May 15th Big Star show at The Levitt Shell (with Star & Micey opening) will still go on as a tribute to Alex. More details to come. And this Tuesday, March 30, Minglewood Hall (1555 Madison Ave) will host an informal memorial gathering for the late, great Alex Chilton. The remembrance, which was organized by Chilton’s sister Cecelia Chilton and his wife Laura Chilton, will take place from 5 to 8 PM and is open to the public.