I Taught Myself How to Grow Old: Alex Chilton

I Taught Myself How to Grow Old

This blog is a collaboration between Peter D & Kevin T, two ex-record shop workers who once worked together. I Taught Myself How to Grow Old is named after a Ryan Adams song that includes the lyrics
'Most of the times I got nothing to say
When I do it's nothing and nobody's there to listen anyway
I know I'm probably better off this way'
Which seem perfect for yet another blog about music, tapped in by two list-making, late thirties, TV watching baldies, who should be out running around instead of sat at home downloading missing Walker Brothers songs.

P.S. Peter is currently listening to his entire CD album collection during his commute, alphabetically. Click on the 'alphabetised' label to hear how he is getting on, or if he's got past Rugely and is on the motorway yet.

Thursday 25 March 2010

Alex Chilton

According to Alan McGee, who is a bit of a tit at times but seems to be reasonably well intentioned, the songwriting partnership of Big Star's Alex Chilton and Chris Bell was 'as iconic as that of Lennon and McCartney'. That's quite a statement (until you remember 'It's for You' sung by Cilla Black). Alex Chilton died earlier this month at the age of 59. During those 59 years he managed to be a teen star (with the Box Tops), heroin addict, be a member of the highly influential Big Star, punk icon, a tree-trimmer and a washer -upper. Writing about his death the BBC called him 'Rock's Unsung Hero' and went on to quote Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream with saying 'September Gurls is an incredible single. It's as good as The Byrds or The Beatles' (The Bangles covered it also).

I Taught Myself How to Grow Old