American musician Alex Chilton, founding member of the influential 1970s power-pop band Big Star, passed away yesterday at age 59. Chilton penned such now-classic pop songs as "September Gurls" and, with fellow song-writer Chris Bell, the tender ballad "Thirteen." Chilton began his career as leader of the late-60s rock band The Box Tops. For an introduction to this seminal musician, I highly recommend the career-spanning box-set Keep an Eye on the Sky.Legendary '80s indie band The Replacements (perhaps Big Star's primary acolytes) paid tribute with their 1987 song "Alex Chilton.". The lyrics serve as a fitting epitaph for this gifted songwriter and performer.
Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round
They sing, "I'm in love. What's that song? I'm in love with that song."
