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When I was in high school...
…The Replacements released Pleased to Meet Me, which had a catchy tune called ‘Alex Chilton’. I didn’t know who it was about, until I found an Alex Chilton Live in London LP at a record store. So later that summer this crazy guy I know who must have been about the age I am now hears me listening to my Alex Chilton album, and he says, “Is that Alex Chilton? I used to share an apartment with him in Memphis. He used to date my cousin and wrote a song about her.” Couple years later, I get to Tuscaloosa and see Feudalist Tarts at Vinyl Solution and buy it. Then I learn that Chilton will be playing in town. I must have seen him four or five times over the next few years. I met him once and told him I knew the guy he shared the apartment with, and he told me what a nice guy he was and confirmed the story about the song. He was kind of a mess, but very talented and a nice guy. I’m sad to hear he’s gone.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Mar 17, 2010 10:03 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
One of my favorite all time songs...
…Mr. Chilton will be missed in this household.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
No More the Moon Shines on Lorena....
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Mar 18, 2010 3:11 PM CDT reply actions
man, this one really hit me...
i wrote an essay for my website on big star a few years back. it’s still a good explanation of why i’m gonna miss the hell out of this guy.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Nice essay...
…and it helps to illuminate the enduring lack of connection between artistic and financial success, particularly in the music industry (the fact that we refer to it so often as ‘the music industry’ also helps illuminate this conundrum). Regardless, Chilton was a uniquely gifted (if somewhat tortured) soul whose presence made the world a better place. I’ll miss him, too.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Mar 18, 2010 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions
thanks. but i dunno...
big star certainly is an example of the possible disjunct between artistic and financial success but aren’t the beatles the epic counter example? i ascribe to david hume’s observation that the best test of artistic worth is a work’s ability to endure over time. and the law of diminishing returns catches everyone eventually in that scenario.
my real point was that i was lucky enough to stumble onto big star when i was young enough to really appreciate them. the songs somehow encapsulate that experience in a way that’s shorn of nostalgia as well as cynicism. and it also happens to be musically spot-on. i think the fact it’s made it 35 years without losing it’s power is a good indication hume would bet on its chances in the longer run.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
The Beatles...
…were nothing but dopey pop singers ’til Dylan gave them pot.
Roll Bama Roll - The Champagne of Bama Blogs.
by Todd on Mar 19, 2010 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Don't forget...
…the acid. I saw an interview with George Harrison years ago where he was explaining how LSD changed his perception and opened his mind. He said you only have to try it once to open the ‘doors of perception’. The interviewer asked, “So you’re saying you only tried acid once?” Harrison replied, “Oh, no…I tried it lots of times…I’m just saying you only need to do it once.”
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Mar 19, 2010 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
i've know LOTS of people...
who have ingested enormous amounts of acid and smoked bales of pot. interestingly, their artistic output didn’t seem to reap the same rewards.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Everything in moderation....
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Mar 19, 2010 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Never dropped but did smoke a joint or two back in the day...
…they did not make me more artistic. What did make me more artistic though was staying up real late. I did my best writing at 2AM.
Auburn and Tennessee fans are a lot like Slinkys...neither are worth much but you do get a sense of satisfaction from pushing them down a flight of stairs
Don't misunderstand...
…I’m not saying you can’t be talented and rich. I’m just pointing out that there is no consistent basis for linking the two, especially in the arts.
"High standards come from passion within...." --Coach Nick Saban
by NiceLittleSaturday on Mar 19, 2010 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions
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