There are music fans who like cover songs because they believe those songs offer a glimpse through an artist's carefully constructed public facade. I am not one of those music fans. I think cover songs are an integral part of that carefully constructed facade, and most often reinforce our preconceived notions about an artist. That's why I have no doubt that Alex Chilton was an untortured genius.
Alex Chilton was the driving artistic force behind one of the best and one of the worst records in my collection, and I don't think that would have bothered him. Alex Chilton was the opening act in one of the worst concerts I have ever seen, and I don't think that would have bothered him. He was literally booed off the stage, and it sure didn't seem like that bothered him. His last studio album was called Loose Shoes and Tight Pussy, and since no A&R guy on the planet would insist on that title I can only assume that it was his idea.
Alex Chilton wrote some of the finest pop songs that have ever been recorded. In fact, he wrote the best pop song that has ever been recorded. But everybody is sharing those songs today. I prefer to remember him gleefully playing an insipid cover as a crowd of rowdy frat boys (and three confused Big Star fans) booed him off the stage of the Masonic Auditorium in Toledo, Ohio. I don't think this would bother him.
I wasn't going to mention it out of respect for the dead, but you brought it up, so here goes...
Alex Chilton put on one of the all-time worst live performances I've ever seen. He was opening for the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (or Boss Hog?) and he stunk up Bogart's like nobody before or since. It was pitiful. He's up there with Rod Stewart on my list of musicians who used to be talented but suffered a long decline into utter shittiness.
Still, I'm sorry he's dead.
Posted by: M-----l | March 18, 2010 at 08:25 PM
I don't think he cared about being great, which is part of what made him great. I want to believe that by the end he was terrible on purpose. I might be wrong, but this is what I choose to believe.
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 08:32 PM
Alex Chilton just went out there and played "Booger Blues" (made up title) and gave a big middle finger to all the kids requesting "Thirteen" and "El Goodo". He played what he wanted. I respect that, but I sort of wish he'd had better taste in music.
I never saw him in any of the reformed Big Star incarnations. Maybe he was better when he played those songs. I hope so.
Posted by: M-----l | March 18, 2010 at 08:50 PM
I've been on the receiving end of a lot of Alex Chilton memories (mostly because people think I'm Paul Westerberg), and it seems to be taken as fact (though I cannot verify it) that Chilton had a lot of disdain for the music machine and was really disillusioned after his experience as a teen pop sensation.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 08:53 PM
I've heard that too. His experience in the Box Tops influenced his experience in Big Star which influenced the rest of his career. I also heard that he actively sabotaged the Third/Sister Lovers sessions. Playing percussion on a basketball was his idea.
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 09:01 PM
Also, point of order. I thought "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5 was the best pop song ever written.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 09:04 PM
The person who holds that opinion is wrong.
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 09:06 PM
Aren't you that person? I mean, I'm not surprised because you're often wrong. But I thought you'd at least try to defend yourself.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 09:10 PM
That's Dabysan. And he's wrong. "I Want You Back" is the second best pop song ever.
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 09:12 PM
I am pretty sure you said it too. However, I cannot find it at the moment. Damn google!
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 10:01 PM
I'm pretty sure if I'd ever said that, Google would find it. Proof positive that I never said anything so stupid.
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 10:06 PM
I am prtty sure you did, you and Daby said it at virtually the same time. It was shocking.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 10:10 PM
Prove it.
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 10:15 PM
I will, as soon as I finish work.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 10:18 PM
That's codespeak for "I can't."
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 10:23 PM
No, that's jodispeak for I'm on deadline.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 10:27 PM
Yeah, right. Don't worry - I couldn't find proof either. Probably because it doesn't exist. But, hey - knock yourself out.
Posted by: hotrod | March 18, 2010 at 10:33 PM
I'm pretty sure you and Daby both said I Want You Back was the best pop song ever, and it was in the comments of a post I wrote about something that I cannot remember. Seriously, the comments were at virtually the same time.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 10:36 PM
HOT DAMN, I'm good. In this thread you say the top three pop songs ever made are:
I Want you Back by the Jackson Five
The Tracks of My Tears by Smokey Robinson
Little Red Corvette by Prince.
You can start eating crow now.
Posted by: Jodi | March 18, 2010 at 11:19 PM
That's a typo. "The Tracks of My Tears" was supposed to be "September Gurls." Weird that the spell-check didn't catch that one.
Posted by: hotrod | March 19, 2010 at 04:03 AM
Just admit I'm right and you're wrong. You still have a chance to save face.
Posted by: Jodi | March 19, 2010 at 01:17 PM
Why would I do that? "September Gurls" is the best pop song ever. I'm not letting you talk me into supporting "I Want You Back."
Posted by: hotrod | March 19, 2010 at 02:43 PM
You're the one who said it, not me. I can't help it if you contradict yourself.
Posted by: Jodi | March 19, 2010 at 03:35 PM
Why are you so interested in what pop song I consider to be the best of all time? You're acting weird. You're not even (erroneously) claiming that I picked the wrong song.
Posted by: hotrod | March 19, 2010 at 04:44 PM