Others who helped in various ways include Kim Alexander, Tim Anderson, Judi Bachrach, Eamonn Bowles, Karla Buhlman, Jean Caffeine, Dub Cornett, Cathy Crane, Jud Cost, Anthony DeCurtis, Winston Eggleston, Alison Fensterstock, Jonathan Greenfield, Randy Haecker, Maxine Hansen, Will Hermes, Dr. Ike, Manuela Jessel, Connie Kirch, Steve Koester, Andy Leach, Mary Lucchese, Danielle McCarthy, John McCormick, Olivia Mori, Ellen Nygaard, Cheryl Pawelski, Michael Randolph, Meredith Rutledge-Borger, Philip Rupp, Rob Santos, Barry Simons, Dana Spiotta, Heather West, and Shirley Winters.
My Woodstock-based writers group proved invaluable with their editorial expertise, just as on past projects. Thanks so much to Laura Claridge, Richard Hoffman, and John Milward. Also indispensable was Judy Whitfield, who tirelessly transcribed hundreds of hours of interviews, and ace researcher Liz DeSiena, who pitched in with transcribing, and editorial assistant Quinn Ferris. Providing much-needed hospitality as I traveled the country were Ebet Roberts, Melinda Pendleton, Penny Stallings and Barry Secunda, Katy K and Curtis Hawkins, Mary Bassel, the late Amy Hoban, Julie and Robert Keely, Rachel and Vito DeSario, Nancy Breslow, Beck Underwood and Larry Fessenden, and Bob Oermann and Mary Bufwack.
My husband and writing partner, Robert Burke Warren, offered more than his continuous support; his knowledge of music and his facility with language helped so much. When I struggled to put certain ideas into words, he always came to my rescue with just the right turn of phrase. Our son, Jack, who fell in love with “Thirteen” and other Chilton songs, also assisted in many ways, never begrudging me the time I spent toiling away in the Nest or on the road.
Most of all, I thank Alex Chilton—it was an honor to know him, and writing the story of his life was immensely challenging, mostly enjoyable, and ultimately gratifying. What an adventure. . . . He left behind many lifetimes of brilliant music, a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Holly George-Warren
January 2014
ALEX CHILTON DISCOGRAPHY
All releases are U.S. unless otherwise noted.
Box Tops
Singles
“The Letter”/“Happy Times” (Mala/Bell, 1967)
“The Letter”/“Happy Times” (Stateside/EMI, U.K., 1967)
“Neon Rainbow”/“Everything I Am” (Mala/Bell, 1968)
“Neon Rainbow”/“Everything I Am” (Stateside/ EMI, U.K., 1968)
“Cry Like a Baby”/“The Door You Closed on Me” (Bell, 1968)
“Choo Choo Train”/“Fields of Clover” (Mala/Bell, 1968)
“Choo Choo Train”/“Fields of Clover” (Stateside/EMI, U.K., 1968)
“I Met Her in Church”/“People Gonna Talk” (Mala/Bell, 1968)
“Sweet Cream Ladies”/“I See Only Sunshine” (Mala/Bell, 1968)
“I Shall Be Released”/“I Must Be the Devil” (Mala/Bell, 1969)
“Soul Deep”/“(The) Happy Song” (Mala/Bell, 1969)
“Turn On a Dream”/“Together” (Mala/Bell, 1969)
“You Keep Tightening Up on Me”/“Come On Honey” (Bell, 1970)
“Got to Hold Onto You”/”Let Me Go” (Bell, 1970)
“The Letter”/“Cry Like a Baby” (Stiff, U.K., 1978)
“The Letter”/“Cry Like a Baby” (Gusto, 1981)
“The Letter”/“Cry Like a Baby” (Juke Box, 1982)
“The Letter”/“Cry Like a Baby” (Old Gold, 1982)
Albums
The Letter/Neon Rainbow (Bell, 1967)
Cry Like a Baby (Bell, 1968)
Cry Like a Baby (Stateside, U.K., 1968)
Nonstop (Bell, 1968)
Nonstop (Bell, U.K., 1968)
Dimensions (Bell, 1969)
The Box Tops Super Hits (Bell, 1969)
The Box Tops Super Hits (Bell, U.K., 1969)
Greatest Hits (Rhino, 1985)
The Best of the Box Tops (Decal, U.K., 1988)
The Ultimate Box Tops (Warner Bros., 1990)
Best Of (BMG, U.K., 1996)
Soul Deep (Arista, 1998)
Tear Off! (Last Call, France, 1998)
The Letter/Neon Rainbow (Sundazed, 2000)
Cry Like a Baby (Sundazed, 2000)
Nonstop (Sundazed, 2000)
Dimensions (Sundazed, 2000)
Playlist: The Very Best of the Box Tops (Bell/Arista/Legacy, 2013)
Big Star
Singles
“Feel”/“The Ballad of El Goodo”/“When My Baby’s Beside Me”/“Try Again” (Stax, Brazil, 1972)
“When My Baby’s Beside Me”/“In the Street” (Ardent, 1972)
“Don’t Lie to Me”/“Watch the Sunrise” (Ardent, 1973)
“Thirteen”/“Watch the Sunrise” (Ardent, 1974)
“O My Soul”/“Morpha Too”/“I’m in Love with a Girl” (Ardent, 1974)
“September Gurls”/“September Gurls” (Ardent, 1974)
“September Gurls”/“September Gurls” (Privilege, 1974)
“Kizza Me”/“Dream Lover” (Aura, U.K., 1978)
“Jesus Christ”/“Big Black Car” (Aura, U.K., 1978)
“September Gurls”/“Mod Lang” (Stax, U.K., 1978)
“Mine Exclusively”/“Patti Girl” (NME, U.K., 1993)
“September Gurls”/“The Letter” (live; Norton, 1999)
“Feel”/”Mod Lang” (Rhino, 2009)
Albums
#1 Record (Ardent, 1972)
Radio City (Ardent, 1974)
3rd (unlabeled promo, 1975)
Big Star: The Third Album (Aura, U.K., 1978)
3rd (PVC Records, 1978)
3rd (Powderworks, Australia, 1978)
#1 Record/Radio City (Stax, U.K., 1978)
3rd: Sister Lovers (PVC, 1985)
#1 Record (Big Beat, U.K., 1986)
Radio City (Big Beat, U.K., 1986)
#1 Record (Line, Germany, 1987)
Radio City (Line, Germany, 1987)
3rd (Line, Germany, 1987)
#1 Record (Comet/Stax, Italy, 1987)
Radio City (Comet/Stax, Italy, 1987)
3rd (Castle, France, 1987)
Big Star’s Biggest (Line, Germany, 1987)
The September Gurls EP (Line, Germany, 1987)
Sister Lovers (Dojo, U.K., 1987)
#1 Record/Radio City (Big Beat, U.K., 1990)
#1 Record/Radio City (Line, Germany, 1990)
#1 Record/Radio City (Stax, 1992)
3rd (Rykodisc, 1992)
#1 Record/Radio City/3rd (Line, Germany, 1992)
Big Star Live (Rykodisc, 1992)
A Little Big Star (Ryko, 1992)
Columbia: Live at Missouri University (Zoo, 1993)
Nobody Can Dance (Norton, 1999)
The Best of Big Star (Big Beat, U.K., 2000)
#1 Record (Victor, Japan, 2003)
Radio City (Victor, Japan, 2003)
Big Star Story (Rykodisc, 2003)
In Space (Rykodisc, 2005)
Big Star Third (Test Pressing Edition) (Omnivore, 2012)
Keep an Eye on the Sky (Rhino, 2009)
Nothing Can Hurt Me (soundtrack; Omnivore, 2013)
Playlist: The Very Best of Big Star (Zoo/Legacy, 2013)
Solo
Singles & EPs
The Singer Not the Song (Ork, 1977)
“Bangkok”/“Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” (Fun, 1978)
“Hey Little Child”/“No More the Moon Shines on Lorena” (Aura, U.K., 1980)
“No Sex”/“Underclass”/“Paradise” (New Rose, France, 1986)
“Rubber Room” (Nineteen, France, 1987), given away with issue #23 of Nineteen magazine, June 1987
“Make a Little Love” (New Rose, France, 1988)
“Dalai Lama”/“Margie”/“Junkyard”/“Rubb
er Room” (New Rose, France, 1988)
“Margie”/“Hide and Seek” (Shoeshine, U.K., 1996), live at 13th Note Club, Glasgow
“All We Ever Got from Them Was Pain” (Omnivore, 2012)
Albums
One Day in New York (Trio, Japan, 1978)
Like Flies on Sherbert (Peabody, 1979)
Bach’s Bottom (Line, Germany, 1980)
Like Flies on Sherbert (Aura, U.K., 1980)
Like Flies on Sherbert (Line, Germany, 1981)
Live in London (Aura, U.K., 1982)
Live in London (Line, Germany, 1983)
Live in London (Creation, U.K., 1983)
Feudalist Tarts (Big Time, 1985)
Feudalist Tarts (New Rose, France, 1985)
Document (Aura, U.K., 1985)
Bach’s Bottom (Line, Germany, 1985)
Alex Chilton’s Lost Decade (Fan Club, France, 1985)
High Priest (Big Time, 1987)
High Priest (New Rose, France, 1987)
Stuff (New Rose, France, 1987)
Black List (New Rose, France, 1989)
19 Years: A Collection of Alex Chilton (Rhino, 1991)
One Day in New York (Art Union, Japan, 1991)
Clichés (Ardent, 1993)
Clichés (New Rose, 1993)
Bach’s Bottom (Razor & Tie, 1993)
High Priest/Black List (Razor & Tie, 1994)
Feudalist Tarts (Razor & Tie, 1994)
A Man Called Destruction (Ardent, 1995)
A Man Called Destruction (Ruf, Germany, 1995)
1970 (Ardent, 1996)
Like Flies on Sherbert (Last Call, France 1996)
Top 30 (Last Call, France, 1997)
Like Flies on Sherbert/Live In London (SFM, U.K., 1997)
Like Flies on Sherbert (Peabody, 1998)
Loose Shoes and Tight Pussy (Last Call, France, 1999)
Set (Bar None, 2000), same release as above
Live in Anvers (Last Call, 2004)
Free Again: The 1970 Sessions (Omnivore, 2012)
Electricity by Candlelight/NYC 2/13/97 (Bar None, 2013)
Compilations and Soundtracks (selected)
Play New Rose for Me (New Rose, France, 1986), includes “With a Girl Like You”
I Was a Teenage Zombie (soundtrack; Enigma, 1987), includes “Stuff”
Best of Mountain Stage Live Volume 3 (BPM, 1992), includes “Guantanamerika” (live)
Downtown Does the Beatles (KFR, 1992), includes “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
Medium Cool: Imagination (Rough Trade, U.K., 1991), includes “That Old Feeling,” “Look for the Silver Lining,” and “Like Someone in Love”
Who Covers Who (Cargo, U.K., 1994), includes “Anyway Anyhow Anywhere”
Step Right Up: The Songs of Tom Waits (Manifesto, 1995), includes “Downtown”
Caroline Now! (MA, Germany, 2000), includes “I Wanna Pick You Up”
See My Friends (Decca, 2012), includes “’Till the End of the Day” with Ray Davies
Bootlegs (selected)
Big Star (Sherbert, 1986)
Beale Street Green (Sykodisc, Germany, 1996)
Dusted in Memphis (unlabeled, date unknown)
Pick Some Posies & Let’s Play (Home, 1996)
Beale Street Breakdown (Punk Vault, 1998)
What’s Goin’ Ahn (Deep Six, Japan, 2000)
Live in New York ’95 (Bangkok, 2000)
Reading 1993 (unlabeled, 2000)
As Guitarist (selected)
Panther Burns, Behind the Magnolia Curtain (Rough Trade, 1981)
Alan Vega, Alex Chilton, Ben Vaughn, Cubist Blues (2.13.61/ Thirsty Ear, 1996)
Ben Vaughn, Alan Vega, Alex Chilton, Cubist Blues Live at the Transmusicales (Last Call, 2002)
As Producer (selected)
Chris Stamey, “The Summer Sun”/“Where the Fun Is” (Ork, 1977)
The Cramps, Gravest Hits (IRS, 1980)
The Cramps, Songs the Lord Taught Us (IRS, 1981)
Panther Burns, The World We Knew (New Rose, 1986)
Carmaig deForest, I Shall Be Released (New Rose, 1987)
The Gories, I Know You Fine, but How You Doin’ (New Rose, 1990)
Koolkings. Shocked and Amazed (Marat, 1991)
Panther Burns, Deep in the Shadows (Marilyn, 1994)
The Royal Pendletons, Oh Yeah, Baby (Sympathy for the Record Industry, 1998)
Lorette Velvette, Rude Angel (Okra-Tone, 2000)
The Undesirables, The Undesirables (Yukky Records, 2007)
NOTES
Abbreviations: Alex Chilton [AC]; Author [HGW].
For all interview dates and for publication information where not provided, see Sources.
Prologue
“Somewhere along the line”: Epic Soundtracks, “Alex Chilton.” What a Nice Way to Turn Seventeen.
“He defies categorization”: Chuck Prophet, written remembrance of AC.
“If one measure”: Rob Hoerburger, “Southern Accents,” New York Times Magazine.
“Chilton wasn’t just a genius”: Ann Powers, “Alex Chilton, My Own Music Teacher,” Los Angeles Times.
“always riveting and real”: Joe Sasfy, “Alex Chilton,” Washington Post.
“Alex’s process”: Tav Falco in Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me.
“Thelonious Monk”: Chuck Prophet, written remembrance of AC.
“All my career”: Parke Puterbaugh interview with AC, 1993.
Chapter 1: The Chiltons of Virginia and Mississippi
Alex proudly corrected one journalist: Bruce Eaton interview with AC.
Alex cut off communication: HGW interview with Bruce Eaton.
wanted his gravestone: Bernard Kugel interview with AC.
In 1660 another John Chilton: Mary Louise (Tarr) Chilton, A Genealogical History of the Chilton Family.
Thomas Chilton: John Frederick Dorman, “The Chilton Families of Virginia and Maryland,” Virginia Genealogist; Stella Pickett Handy, Colonial Families of the Southern States of America: A history and genealogy of colonial families who settled in the colonies prior to the revolution.
Thomas, Charles, and John served: Many of John Chilton’s letters and diaries now reside at the Virginia Historical Society. They also form the basis of a book, They Behaved Like Soldiers: Captain John Chilton and the Third Virginia Regiment 1775–1778, by Michael Cecere (Berwyn Heights, MD: Heritage Books, 2004).
“That’s how my branch”: Bruce Eaton, Radio City.
John wrote a history: ibid.
wrote his Aunt Dory: “Norton, Chilton, and Dameron Family Papers, 1760–1926, 1995,” Records of ante-bellum Southern plantations from the Revolution through the Civil War. Letters between Sarah Norton and other family members reside in the Southern Folklife Collection of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Wilson Library.
known to deride Confederate heroes: Correspondence from AC to Rick Clark, July 30, 1999.
“The South sucks!”: “Alex Chilton: Pop’s Reluctant Hero.” Tasty World.
“Things go on much as usual”: “Norton, Chilton, and Dameron Family Papers.”
a picnic was held in a grove: Charles Hillman Brought, “The Clinton Riot,” Bucks County Gazette (Bristol, PA), September 9, 1875.
At a subsequent inquiry: ibid.
“He died in the arms”: “Norton, Chilton, and Dameron Family Papers”; Eaton interview with AC.
Harrison Chilton lost everything: Eaton, Radio City.
“We talked a lot about books”: HGW interview with Dan Tyler.
“[Magruder] was an interesting guy”: Kris Grant, “Jack Chilton: Nifty Nineties,”Coronado Lifestyle.
no one ever called her that: HGW interview with Cecelia Chilton.
“My father was . .
. a musician”: Eaton, Radio City.
“I learned later”: ibid.
“I have traced each branch”: Mrs. William E. Chilton, “The Chiltons of Virginia,” William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine 15 (1907).
Chapter 2: Memphis
“I remember my dad”: HGW interview with Adele Brown Tyler.
supply ship in the Mediterranean: HGW interview with Cecelia Chilton.
The gifted Lindamood: Peter Lindamood, “Italian Painting Today,” Harper’s Bazaar, February 1946, and “I Cover the Cover,” View, March 1945 (accessed via the Internet); Rhonda Roland Shearer and Thomas Girst, “From Blues to Haikus: An Interview with Charles Henri Ford,” Tout-Fait 1, no. 2 (May 2000), http://www.toutfait.com/issues/issue_2/Interviews/ford.html.
“elegant Auntie type”: Correspondence from Tennessee Williams to Frank Merlo, May 9, 1952, in Albert J. Devlin and Nancy M. Tischler, eds., The Selected Letters of Tennessee Williams, vol. 2: 1945–1957 (New York: New Directions, 2004).
“the town home for a lot of plantation-owner people”: Bruce Eaton interview with AC.
“veterans with families”: HGW interview with Cecelia Chilton.
“Alex was about two”: ibid.
“neighborhood friends was a neurosurgeon”: ibid.
“shy, introverted children”: HGW interview with Adele Brown Tyler.
“I remember Alex talking”: ibid.
“She didn’t join the PTA”: HGW interview with Cecelia Chilton.
“His name was Colonel Cray”: ibid.
Memphis public schools remained segregated: Sam Dillon, “Merger of Memphis and County School Districts Revives Race and Class Challenges,” New York Times, November 5, 2011.
“golden boy of the family”: HGW interview with Adele Brown Tyler.
“He was everything to me”: Eaton interview with AC.
“We were raised going to Sunday school”: HGW interview with Cecelia Chilton.
“That was a big thing in the family”: Eaton interview with AC.
“You can only imagine how traumatic”: HGW interview with Adele Brown Tyler.
“the death had a big effect”: HGW interview with Cecelia Chilton.
“I was very much into Jesus”: ibid.
“I was off to college”: ibid.
Chapter 3: Midtown
“pretty wild neighborhood”: Epic Soundtracks, “Alex Chilton,” What a Nice Way to Turn Seventeen.
A Man Called Destruction: The Life and Music of Alex Chilton, From Box Tops to Big Star to Backdoor Man Page 44