Alex Chilton's Cover of "Solar System"

[Menace Wilson]

For those who might not know, Alex Chilton was the singer for The Box Tops ("The Letter") and one of the leaders of Big Star.

I stumbled upon this great live recording of him doing "Solar System" and figured if anybody was gonna appreciate it, it would be you guys/gals.  So here it is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaKhfvBNk8M

[over and over]

"Familiar to all the millions as Alex Chilton"

[CenturyDeprived]

 Gives one a rough idea what the song would have sounded like if it had been written and recorded for the Friends LP.

[job]

Do yourself a favor and pick this up:

http://www.amazon.com/Caroline-Now-Tribute-Beach-Boys/dp/B00004VWBE

Chilton does a great cover of "I Wanna Pick You Up".  Many other interesting covers on it as well.

[Terry]

Alex learned guitar from Carl when they toured with The Box Tops. Alex was obviously a huge BB and Love You fan. I really like his (partial) version of Don't Worry Baby!

[Ian]

If you don't know much about him. He was a big beach boys fan and idolized Brian.  He praised Carl and said that he was very kind when they toured together in the late 60s and helped chilton improve on guitar. Chilton  was a very screwed up guy with a lot of talent

[Terry]

If you don't know much about him. He was a big beach boys fan and idolized Brian.  He praised Carl and said that he was very kind when they toured together in the late 60s and helped chilton improve on guitar. Chilton  was a very screwed up guy with a lot of talent

The Alex Chilton I got to know in the last 15 years of his life was far from being screwed up. A very sweet man, albeit with a pretty dark sense of humor.

[clack]

Alex was into astrology, thus perhaps his affinity with the song.

Alex did my chart! (not that I believe in astrology). My then girlfriend was friends with his wife, though I never met him.

[Terry]

Alex was into astrology, thus perhaps his affinity with the song.

Alex did my chart! (not that I believe in astrology). My then girlfriend was friends with his wife, though I never met him.

Ha..that's how I met Alex. My girlfriend at the time told him it was my birthday and he thought for a second and said "You're a Leo. I get along with Leo's" . I really think he chose who he would be close or friendly with by their sign.

[Dudd]

I adore that cover! They released it a year and a bit ago on the Electricity By Candlelight CD, which has a bunch of favourite songs Alex played solo to audience members when the power went out during one of his concerts. He did two other Beach Boys songs: Surfer Girl and Wouldn't It Be Nice.

[Aum Bop Diddit]

The great Alex Chilton.

[SamMcK]

I never travel far, without a little Big Star!

[donald]

Thanks for the link and suggestion.    Had never heard that.   sounds painful to squeeze those chords on an acoustic,   But very nice