Tune of the Week: Thank You Friends

Alex Chilton was a Memphis based singer-songwriter who remains criminally underrated. Having hit a commericial peak with the hit “The Letter” at age 16, Chilton had become a bitter music industry veteran by the time he hit his twenties. His next band, Big Star, was striken by numerous bouts of misfortune. Despite the overwhelming influence this group has had on subsequent “big stars”, these failures only helped fuel the bitter fires within Chilton’s fragile soul. His carefree take on his own career saw him arrive in New York City at the beginnig of the punk era. Alex was there to teach the newcomers something about the true rock ‘n’ roll spirit. Being in touch with said spirit perhaps lead him to end his days in New Orleans, near the heart and soul popular music: the Mississippi Delta. Having died in 2010, the truest legacy Chilton left the world was one of great songwriting. Despite all of the well-earned bitterness he could still get together a great song of gratitude. Be humble, be grateful. Thank someone who’s done something to help you out today. And sing a song for Alex.