B.W.'s PLAYLIST/ KHSU-FM, 90.5/ SAT., 20 MARCH 10

Memphis singer/songwriter Alex Chilton, one of the founding members of the now legendary 1970's pop band, Big Star, has sailed an eccentric path, filled with subversion and mischief, often subverting his own recordings and performances. And, on occasion, as I had witnessed at a free concert in Memphis/ Overton Park Bandshell in the early 1990's, he was an incredible musician/guitar player, as well as singer/songwriter. Without saying, his penned "September Gurls" set the bar for a perfect pop song.

One easily forgets that Chilton also produced The Cramps 1980 debut, Songs The Lord Taught Us (recorded at legendary Sun Studios), and I Know You Fine, But How You Doin' by Detroit's explosive garage band, The Gories (recorded at Easley Studios in Memphis). LX, a term known by friends, also played guitar with Tav Falco's Panther Burns, as well as supporting local Memphis bands, such as the all-female rock band The Hellcats. With Alex's death (on St. Patrick's Day, no less!), who died in New Orleans at 59, coupled with the earlier death of fellow Memphis luminary, producer/musician Jim Dickinson, one might ask, with trepidation, who's next? An end of era in Memphis music lore. Rest in peace, LX, my friend.

For an honest obit, please check out former 'Mats frontman, Paul Westerberg's editorial/memorial in Saturday, 20 March 2010 edition of The New York Times. If you want to get a slice of Alex, really listen to Westerberg's lyrics in The Replacements' "Alex Chilton."

BOY WONDER'S HOT CIRCLES/ 9:00-11:00 PM
Feel a Whole Lot Better/ THE BYRDS (’65, Mr. Tamborine Man)
Spring Rain/ THE GO-BETWEENS (’85, Liberty Belle & The Black Diamond Express)
Rockin’ Around With You/ TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS ('76, self titled)
Long Legs/ THE MAGIC NUMBERS (’05, self titled)
Ex-Girlfriend Collection/ THE WRENS (’03, The Meadowlands)
Son of a Gun (’88)/ THE LA’S (’06, BBC in Session)
San Diego Zoo/ THE 6TH'S/ BARBARA MANNING (’95, Wasp’s Nests)

Baby Blue/ THE SF SEALS (’94, Nowhere)
Talk About the Passion/ REM (’83, Murmur)
Your Love is the Place Where I Come From/ TEENAGE FANCLUB (’97, Songs From Northern Britain)
Pieholden Suite/ WILCO (’99, Summerteeth)
I’m Waiting For the Day/ BEACH BOYS (’66, Pet Sounds)
Don’t Look Back/ THE REMAINS ('66)
Oldest Story in the World/ THE PLIMSOULS (’83, Everywhere at Once)
September Gurls/ THE BANGLES (’85, Different Light)
Thirteen (live)/ ELLIOT SMITH (live, Paris/ La Boule Noir, 3 April 2000)
Pale Blue Eyes/ THE VELVET UNDERGROUND ('69, The Velvet Underground)

*Special Tribute to Alex Chilton, 28 Dec. 1950 - 17 March 10
Neon Rainbow/ THE BOX TOPS (’67)
Free Again/ ALEX CHILTON (’75, Bach’s Bottom)
Lovely Day (demo)/ BIG STAR/ALEX CHILTON ('74, '08 collection, Thank You Friends: The Ardent Records Story)
Watch the Sunrise/ BIG STAR (’72, #1 Record)
Back of a Car/ BIG STAR (’74, Radio City)
Slut (T. Rundgren)/ BIG STAR (live at Lafayette’s Music Room, ’73)
Hey! Little Child/ ALEX CHILTON (’80, Like Flies on Sherbert)

Kangaroo/ BIG STAR (’75, Third/Sisters Lovers)
You and Your Sister (Country version)/ CHRIS BELL (’74, I Am the Cosmos)
Nightime/ BIG STAR (’75, Third/Sisters Lovers)
No Sex/ ALEX CHILTON (’86, No Sex ep)
Make a Little Love/ ALEX CHILTON (’87, High Priest)
Mine Exclusively/ BIG STAR (’05, In Space)
In the Street (alt mix)/ BIG STAR (’72, #1 Record)
September Gurls/ BIG STAR ('74, Radio City)

Thank You Friends/ BIG STAR (’75, Third/ Sisters Lovers)