Big Star

I had to do an informative speech in Oral Communication. And it had to be from an objective viewpoint, in other words, just the facts. I really had a hard time coming up with a topic. I finally decided I would talk about something I know because that seemed like it would be easier to research.
I did not want to do another serious topic and music is something I love so I decided to talk on the lengendary Memphis band, Big Star. The speech focused on why they are such a huge influence on alternative rock but basically never made it as a commercial success. A lot of bands never make it but Big Star still had a impact on music history.
When people mention Memphis music, you think of rockabilly and the blues and soul But through Big Star, Memphis music history can also place a claim as city where Alternative Rock had beginnings. Their music was closer to music from the British Invasion than blues, soul or rockabilly. But Chris Bell, Jody Stephens, Andy Hummel and Alex Chilton grew up in Memphis so all those genres were also reflected in their songs. They took their name from the grocery store chain. Their was a Big Star across the street on National where they recorded at Ardent Studios.
They made three albums at Ardent Recording , #1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers. These first three albums influenced musicians and bands such as REM, The Replacements, Jeff Buckley, The dB's, The Posies and on and on. The Replacements even wrote a song called simply "Alex Chilton". Alex was also a member of The Boxtops, he and Chris Bell were the main songwriters. Chris left after the first album at the end of 1972. Some say he was jealous of all the attention Alex received. Who knows? He died in a car crash in 1978 and became on the rock legends.
Their jangly Power Pop was infectious, it was never marketed properly though. They had a distribution deal with Stax. Stax just did not know how to market them.
Their song, " In The Street " was chosen as the teme song for "That 70's Show", it lyrics represented to the makers of that show the feel of young America in the 70's. So the the influence of Big Star stretched even further out. Cheap Trick (another band who were under the influence) were recruited to record a new version for the show. So that is not the Big Star version you hear.
In recent years Big Star came together once more to do some dates. The band contained Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens and two of The Posies , Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow. The two Posies fit right in. According to Alex, it was never intended as a reunion, but after a record company offered them some money to do a live album, that is what it became. They put out a new studio album, "In Space" in 2005. Not my favorite Big Star album, but it has some moments.
If you are a Modern Rock fan of such bands as The Decemberists, you can thank Big Star.And while you are at it, if you are not familiar with them, go ahead and check them out. They are part of Memphis's rich music history and a darn good rock band.