Big Star Story

About me:

The band Big Star is widely regarded as one of the greatest bands in rock ‘n’ roll history. So why haven’t you heard about them? Big Star’s greatest notoriety came as their song, “In the Street” was selected as the defining song of the 1970s for the Fox sitcom, That 70s Show. Despite their claim to fame for being famous for not being famous, Big Star’s influence can be heard in the music of R.E.M., Coldplay, Wilco, Jeff Buckley, Teenage Fanclub, and The Posies, just to name a few.

The Big Star Story will trace the origins and history of the legendary band, Big Star from the early sixties with lead singer Alex Chilton sky-rocketing to stardom at the age of sixteen with The Box Tops and their No. 1 hit, “The Letter” to the serendipitous meeting of Chilton and local Memphis musicians, guitarist Chris Bell, drummer Jody Stephens and bassist Andy Hummel through the recording of the group’s three landmark albums, No. 1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers and onto their dissolution after the lack of record sales and the tragic death of Chris Bell in 1978.

The Big Star Story will explore the resurrection of the originators of the power pop sound and the band’s reforming to record their first album in over thirty years in 2005. The story of Big Star is unique in the history of rock and roll and both devoted fans and complete neophytes will be moved by this incredible story served with an achingly beautiful and generation-defining soundtrack of teenage angst and longing.

Director/Producer - Danielle McCarthy. Current Editor - Drew DeNicola. Past Editor/Director of Photography - Jim D'Amico. Sound Recordist, Assistant Camera Op - Patrick McCarthy

For more photos from our shoot and info about who we interviewed, visit our Flickr page.

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