Big Star

(b. 12 Jan 1951, Memphis, TN, d. 28 Dec. 1978, Memphis, TN)

Bell was the major writer and performer for Big Star. Prior to the Box Tops Alex Chilton sang in a few Memphis groups. One of these groups included Bill Cunningham and Chris Bell, though Alex only briefly worked with them at the time. After the Box Tops disbanded Alex returned to Memphis where he joined Chris Bell’s power trio, Ice Water. They changed their name to Big Star and recorded two albums which, while unsuccessful at the time, had a huge influence. After Alex Chilton joined the band, Bell quit, unable to deal with their fights. Bell died in a 1978 car crash, hitting a telephone pole.