Alex Chilton RIP
From our friend Ron Wells……
William Alexander Chilton Dec. 28, 1950- March 17, 2010
As a kid, I played the 45 of The Letter, with the blue Mala label, until the grooves refused to play any more.
Wayne Carson Thompson may have written The Letter, but it was Alex Chilton’s longing, desperation, and gritty euphoria that sold the song, just as he did on Cry Like A Baby, Soul Deep, and Carson’s magnificent Neon Rainbow. Great pop songs, one and all, made all that much better by Alex Chilton.
Chilton would go on to form Big Star and influence The Replacements, REM and numerous other indie bands.
Another day, another rock legend gone, another memory spinning at 45 RPM forever in my mind and heart.
The Letter:
Rest in Peace, Alex Chilton