Alex Chilton, Pop Star, R.I.P.

We have so many ways to see the measure of a persons influence on others and trace musics interconnectedness. The idea of pop music being some how lesser than other music is a social construct massively popular with people who feel good music must be able to prove its street cred as "authentic" or "alternative". Alex Chilton is a great example of what bullshit and self serving egotism such notions are. Chilton was a teen idol and pop music star as a young man...but he became an inspiration for the indie music scene in the 1980's. Above is a home made video of someone playing The Replacements song on Rock Band. What a great ethnomusicology example of influence...from pop music to alternative music to mainstream. This game is an amazing example of how music is actually all interconnected. Record executive types don't want music to be profound, interconnected and universal...they want it to be segregated. Alex Chilton was a singer-songwriter. Period. Fuck all the bullshit about authenticity or purism. Music is for people and its magic is universal. Alex Chilton was what it is all about-loving music. He will be missed.


Alex Chilton, lyrics by The Replacements

If he was from Venus, would he feed us with a spoon?
If he was from Mars, wouldn't that be cool?
Standing right on campus, would he stamp us in a file?
Hangin' down in Memphis all the while.

(chorus:)

Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing "I'm in love. What's that song?
I'm in love with that song."

Cerebral rape and pillage in a village of his choice.
Invisible man who can sing in a visible voice.
Feeling like a hundred bucks, exchanging good lucks face to face.
Checkin' his stash by the trash at St. Mark's place.

(chorus)

I never travel far, without a little Big Star

Runnin' 'round the house, Mickey Mouse and the Tarot cards.
Falling asleep with a flop pop video on.
If he was from Venus, would he meet us on the moon?
If he died in Memphis, then that'd be cool, babe.