Alex Chilton appears on 120 Minutes on MTV to promote his new record on Big Time called Feudalist Tarts, which came out in 1985, so I'm guessing that is when this segment aired.
I got a phone call in 1985 from this guy who's name was Alex Chilton. He asked me if I would be interested in a gig playing drums for him at 1st Avenue in Mpls. Alex was in town producing the The Replacements album. Alex came over to my house to audition me . He had the infamous Replacement roadie with him. my drums were setup in my bedroom and I had old 60s record's everywhere in my room. I noticed Alex and Bill looking at a lp and laughing, I asked what are you laughing about. Alex had a Box Tops record in his hand and said and said that's me! I didn't know who he was ,to me it was a chance to play 1st Ave. I freaked out and he signed my record and he hired me and we played 1st Ave. Alex was a very nice guy,very professional and very talented. Thank you Alex.
As a 19 year old kid, in 1987 I helped Alex unload equipment from a Ryder truck on Miami Beach when he opened for a Replacements show. I did not know it was him until he gave me a beer and sat down on the curb and we talked. He was wearing a USPS uniform. Wow.
Alex passed at the age of 59 on my 59th birthday...its hard to believe I am going to be 60. I have listened to his music since I was 16, and I will till I die. BIG STAR may be the truest name for any band. RIP
I KNOW. BETWEEN CUTTING EDGE , ANDY WARHOL'S 15 MINUTES , CLOSET CLASSICS , THE U.S. DEBUTS OF THE YOUNG ONES AND COMIC STRIP PRESENTS , I BEGAN THINKING ,"WOW. CAN WE TRUST MTV , NOW?NOPE.) I enjoyed seeing iggy , the ramones , and lux and ivy on "120 minutes of horrible videos".
I'D SAY YOU'RE SO RIGHT , YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING , BUT YOU JUST SAID IT - NIGHT FLIGHT ! I've got scant footage I taped from Night Flight at the time. Wish I'd taped more. I just remember a friend and I stopped at his apartment , after a show , because it was raining too hard to drive. It was 2 or 3am , we turn on Night Flight , and there's this band doing an INSANE "Blue Suede Shoes". I said , "Is that The MC5 ?!". It was Black Sabbath.
You should check out his band Big Star which came after the Box Tops split in 1970, great band and all and it was with that band that he developed this style of singing. It's a shame they never made it big but that was because their label couldn't distribute their albums properly.
Strangely enough, Alex Chilton's voice in this video sounds nothing like the lower register growl on the song "The Letter" as recorded in Memphis in 1967 for the Mala label. And a person's voice usually becomes lower as he/she ages, which makes Chilton's voice here seem doubly strange.
This was not from "120 Minutes"...it's from a show MTV had before that called "IRS's The Cutting Edge," hosted by the Fleshtones' Peter Zaremba (that's who's introducing Alex). Vaya con dios, Alex.
Fantastic find. Wow, thanks. (FYI, Wiki says 120 Minutes first aired in 1986, so in typical Chilton fashion, it seems he was promoting this record months after it was actually released.)
I treasure my vinyl copy of "Feudalist Tarts", bought new in '85. I wasn't aware of the whole Big Star thing till much later - still think it's a little overblown. "High Priest" kicks ass, too.
I actually think this clip might be from a program called "IRS' The Cutting Edge" which was on MTV in the early '80s. That guy at the beginning is Peter Zeremba of the Fleshtones; he used to host "The Cutting Edge." "120 Minutes" wasn't on in '85 and didn't generally include original content as this clip appears to be. (I could be wrong of course)
Memphis is loosing to many legends...Jim Dickinson, Willie Mitchel, Jay Reatard....now Alex!!?? ...fuk...I hope there's a Rock & Roll Heaven. Scoot over Elvis!
Wow, I’m impressed MTV actually had this show even in the mid 80s. I though it only came about when “grunge” became popular. The network still sucked in many ways with all the music videos it rejected and bands they ignored.
I believe it was the producer Dan Penn who told him to “kinda growl” The Letter, and Alex, having been up all night partying and smoking, was able to oblige.
@tacomacooper Was Alex as cool in person as he portrayed in all his videos? I really like the video TV dance party featuring the Box Tops "The Letter". They seem to have a lot of fun and Alex was very cool especially for being only 16 at the time.The letter is one of my favorite songs
i found out who Alex was from the Replacements song, but like a ton of artists in my life, i never got the chance to get into him. Of course now i will. Does anyone know where he lived in NOLA?
I don't think this is 120 minutes. I think this is a show called The Cutting Edge. Does anyone know? That's Peter Zaremba and he was the host. RIP Alex Chilton.
wow... totally different voice in certain pitchs, while you still can hear the base of what was his raspy voice back inte day if you listen closely... it's wierd, usually the voice will ger darker with age, not the other way around. ok voice now, but on the original recording of "the letter" - phenomenal!
weird that this is in 1985 and he pretty much ignored his Big Star stuff and played some Box Tops stuff that he didn't even write (though he did it well)
That is a J.S. Bach piece called "Gavotte" that Chilton recorded in a similar setting years later on his excellent album "Clichés". There are several pieces, Bach and otherwise, with this title. "Gavotte" is the name of a French dance.
I got a phone call in 1985 from this guy who's name was Alex Chilton. He asked me if I would be interested in a gig playing drums for him at 1st Avenue in Mpls. Alex was in town producing the The Replacements album. Alex came over to my house to audition me . He had the infamous Replacement roadie with him. my drums were setup in my bedroom and I had old 60s record's everywhere in my room. I noticed Alex and Bill looking at a lp and laughing, I asked what are you laughing about. Alex had a Box Tops record in his hand and said and said that's me! I didn't know who he was ,to me it was a chance to play 1st Ave. I freaked out and he signed my record and he hired me and we played 1st Ave. Alex was a very nice guy,very professional and very talented. Thank you Alex.
Roy Llerandi thanks for sharing!! Very cool story
Roy Llerandi o9
Wow. Alex used to come over my house with Tav Falco of Panther Burns. Alex rarely spoke !
As a 19 year old kid, in 1987 I helped Alex unload equipment from a Ryder truck on Miami Beach when he opened for a Replacements show. I did not know it was him until he gave me a beer and sat down on the curb and we talked. He was wearing a USPS uniform. Wow.
Man, that's one for the books!
now thats the kind of story the world needs thx mang
And you looked into the sky and there was a neon rainbow, a neon rainbow
@@oppothumbs1 why would he make this very nonclimactic story up
@@AliceYobby Neon Rainbow 🌈 is a Boxtops reference. I love the story!
Alex passed at the age of 59 on my 59th birthday...its hard to believe I am going to be 60. I have listened to his music since I was 16, and I will till I die. BIG STAR may be the truest name for any band. RIP
This was filmed Mardi Gras weekend 1986 for the MTV show "The Cutting Edge."
alex chilton overlooked genius in music.same as chris bell and their band 'big star'.bless their souls.
Love you dad! Happy Birthday dad and see u one day again up in Heaven :)
@azzad10 True, but here he's strumming "The Letter" using the "heavy" cadence that Big Star employed when they would play it, which is kind of cool.
Poor Alex, he was so young. Loved his singing and playing. Among other things, he had such exquisite taste for covers. R.I.P.
That's how he sang The Letter on the first take before being advised to growl it up for take two !
Had no idea this documentary was done. Incredible. Alex is so fetching, so tragic.
Makes me sad. Alex Chilton was a fixture at The Chimes in Baton Rouge when I was in college. I loved seeing him perform! RIP.
I miss 1985 so much.
Alex Chilton of Big Star & Peter Zaremba of The Fleshtones
RIP Alex. Hopefully you knew how we all feel before you left.
He had so much soul and pathos.
+Margaret
I love reading comments like yours.
Thank you.
One of the longer interviews I've seen with Mr. Chilton - thanks for posting! I'm a huge fan of Big Star and some of his solo stuff.
This IS "IRS' Cutting Edge.". I remember this episode when it came on , originally.
Cutting Edge, what a great show. Then M(afia)TV got rid of it to put on the fraudulent, payola-thick 120 minutes. Typical of them.
I KNOW. BETWEEN CUTTING EDGE , ANDY WARHOL'S 15 MINUTES , CLOSET CLASSICS , THE U.S. DEBUTS OF THE YOUNG ONES AND COMIC STRIP PRESENTS , I BEGAN THINKING ,"WOW. CAN WE TRUST MTV , NOW?NOPE.)
I enjoyed seeing iggy , the ramones , and lux and ivy on "120 minutes of horrible videos".
pfordsq Fair enough and true. But I think we can agree that the real winner was and always will be...Night Flight!
I'D SAY YOU'RE SO RIGHT , YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE SAYING , BUT YOU JUST SAID IT - NIGHT FLIGHT ! I've got scant footage I taped from Night Flight at the time. Wish I'd taped more. I just remember a friend and I stopped at his apartment , after a show , because it was raining too hard to drive. It was 2 or 3am , we turn on Night Flight , and there's this band doing an INSANE "Blue Suede Shoes". I said , "Is that The MC5 ?!". It was Black Sabbath.
@Fazolina He was putting on the voice for 'The Letter, that wasn't natural for him'. It was what the producer wanted.
Yeah, Dan Penn. He said “growl, son”.
It's not 120 MINUTES, it's THE CUTTING EDGE. Needs to come out on DVD.
he was ahead of his time,rip.
This is a very good representation of Alex...
RIP
For a guy who was the lead singer of a band which had a #1 hit Alex was so unaffected.
You should check out his band Big Star which came after the Box Tops split in 1970, great band and all and it was with that band that he developed this style of singing. It's a shame they never made it big but that was because their label couldn't distribute their albums properly.
Peter Zaremba of The Fleshtones introducing Alex Chilton in a New Orleans cemetery. Very cool!
Two left of field artists in the advent of alternative rock. Just picking playing...he was all over the map in terms of style.
R.I.P.
@ 1:14 it sounds a lot like an instrumental that ended up on Big Star's 2005 reunion album called In Space. The song in question is called Aria Largo.
I love you!
I miss you!
RIP Alex
Strangely enough, Alex Chilton's voice in this video sounds nothing like the lower register growl on the song "The Letter" as recorded in Memphis in 1967 for the Mala label. And a person's voice usually becomes lower as he/she ages, which makes Chilton's voice here seem doubly strange.
I noticed that too. He's like a real life Benjamin Button.
The producer of "The Letter" suggested Alex sing in that low growl on the record.
He's just choosing to sing it in a higher key.
His Box Tops voice was deeper and more growly intentionally, but not really his natural voice.
great piece of our musical archive o' greatness
RIP Alex, I always thought I would see you again.
This was not from "120 Minutes"...it's from a show MTV had before that called "IRS's The Cutting Edge," hosted by the Fleshtones' Peter Zaremba (that's who's introducing Alex).
Vaya con dios, Alex.
RIP
"Stuff" from this album is my fave Alex Chilton song. It was featured prominently in the soundtrack for the movie I WAS A TEENAGE ZOMBIE
stuff is a great tune!!
Thank you so much for uploading!!
Fantastic find. Wow, thanks.
(FYI, Wiki says 120 Minutes first aired in 1986, so in typical Chilton fashion, it seems he was promoting this record months after it was actually released.)
Priceless footage.Glad this is still on Y/T
I treasure my vinyl copy of "Feudalist Tarts", bought new in '85. I wasn't aware of the whole Big Star thing till much later - still think it's a little overblown. "High Priest" kicks ass, too.
Great stuff. Thanks.
Cool. Wish I could have met the guy.
Journey well, Alex. You will be greatly missed.
I am so sad. RIP Alex.
I actually think this clip might be from a program called "IRS' The Cutting Edge" which was on MTV in the early '80s. That guy at the beginning is Peter Zeremba of the Fleshtones; he used to host "The Cutting Edge." "120 Minutes" wasn't on in '85 and didn't generally include original content as this clip appears to be.
(I could be wrong of course)
💚💜💛
I miss him already.
I like alex chilton
God blues you I'm happy listen you....
Memphis is loosing to many legends...Jim Dickinson, Willie Mitchel, Jay Reatard....now Alex!!?? ...fuk...I hope there's a Rock & Roll Heaven. Scoot over Elvis!
Rest in Peace....
@azzad10 "The Letter" is on a live Big Star CD entitled "Nobody Can Dance", on Norton Records.
Wow, I’m impressed MTV actually had this show even in the mid 80s. I though it only came about when “grunge” became popular. The network still sucked in many ways with all the music videos it rejected and bands they ignored.
I love how dry and laidback he is when he's talking, another way I intend to be more like Alex :P
This was on the Cutting Edge...not 120 Minutes
I know in later life he was a big fan of baroque music.
haha, his box tops sounds a little rusty there, i guess he hadn't played it in a while. still, awesome footage, thanks for posting.
Ironically,,he looked younger in 1985 than he did in1966
Sounded younger as well.
@@melodymakermark He sang The Letter in a different voice.
I believe it was the producer Dan Penn who told him to “kinda growl” The Letter, and Alex, having been up all night partying and smoking, was able to oblige.
That's not 120 Minutes. Thats IRS's The Cutting Edge.
@tacomacooper Was Alex as cool in person as he portrayed in all his videos? I really like the video TV dance party featuring the Box Tops "The Letter". They seem to have a lot of fun and Alex was very cool especially for being only 16 at the time.The letter is one of my favorite songs
i found out who Alex was from the Replacements song, but like a ton of artists in my life, i never got the chance to get into him. Of course now i will. Does anyone know where he lived in NOLA?
@deeeecraig I wasn't aware that Big Star ever played any Box Tops songs, I'll have to seek that out
LX is gawd.
what bach song is he playing at 1:13? gotta know
Bach Gavotte Rondeau in G pretty sure about it or pretty close to that :).
I have played classical guitar and Bach of course.
I don't think this is 120 minutes. I think this is a show called The Cutting Edge. Does anyone know? That's Peter Zaremba and he was the host. RIP Alex Chilton.
NYtimes book review brought me here
hall
@strebis6 he was cooler much cooler a wonderful bro, miss him turrbly...
1:30 ish was that Gavotte en Rondo?
wow so what your saying is MTV used to show "music related" content. That's just weird. RIP AC U will be missed
Does anyone know if this is the same cemetery where the freak out scene from 'Easy Rider' was filmed?
wow... totally different voice in certain pitchs, while you still can hear the base of what was his raspy voice back inte day if you listen closely... it's wierd, usually the voice will ger darker with age, not the other way around. ok voice now, but on the original recording of "the letter" - phenomenal!
Axel Chilton all the way!!!
It's not 120 MINUTES. It's THE CUTTING EDGE.
weird that this is in 1985 and he pretty much ignored his Big Star stuff and played some Box Tops stuff that he didn't even write (though he did it well)
He produced for the Cramps? I learned something new.Also now I can connect the cocaine dots.
Anyone know what song he's playing at 1:14?
Alex8
@tacomacooper Awesome !
Alex chilton detona
@theidey : Treme section
ok whats that at 1:12
That is a J.S. Bach piece called "Gavotte" that Chilton recorded in a similar setting years later on his excellent album "Clichés". There are several pieces, Bach and otherwise, with this title. "Gavotte" is the name of a French dance.
Definately not Big Star!
damn damn damn damn damn. bye.
Treme.
120 mins in 1985? A fucking joke, mate!
didn't realize how under appreciated his music was at that time. love alex chilton, but this is pretty awful.
this is THE gentleman that i hung out w in Memphis....... rip
\
RIP
RIP
RIP