Big Star's 'Radio City' (& more) tour celebrates 50 years of the influential band's beloved sophomore album

 

BIG STAR’S RADIO CITY (& MORE) INTERNATIONAL TOUR CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF THE INFLUENTIAL BAND’S BELOVED SOPHOMORE ALBUM   Featuring Big Star’s Jody Stephens, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Chris Stamey (the dB's), Jon Auer (Big Star/The Posies), and Pat Sansone (Wilco)   U.S. dates include Washington, D.C., Memphis, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Full list below. International dates in London, Oslo, Vigo, Barcelona, and Madrid

Click here for tickets   “A half-century later, the Memphis band's sophomore album remains a bright, beautiful portrait of young, big emotions and the way they intersected with the joy of music… After Radio City, those feelings have been rarely articulated so perfectly since.” – Paste Magazine (2024)   Los Angeles, CA (May 28, 2024)—50 years ago, Memphis power pop pioneers Big Star released Radio City, their genre-defining sophomore album, which went on to become a cult classic inspiring generations of fans through songs such as “September Gurls,” “Back of a Car,” and “I’m in Love With a Girl.” To celebrate the album’s enduring legacy, an all-star collective of musicians (led by the band’s sole surviving original member, Jody Stephens) will perform Radio City in its entirety on both sides of the Atlantic.   Joining Stephens will be some of the band’s biggest fans who have long been associated with Big Star-related projects, including Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Jon Auer (The Posies), Pat Sansone (Wilco), and Chris Stamey (The dB's). The festivities kick off in July at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on August 21, followed by shows across the East Coast in August and the West Coast in October. After a special hometown show at Memphis’ Crosstown Theater on October 1, the group will head to Europe, with stops in Spain, Norway, and the UK. For a full list of cities visited on the tour along with dates, please see below or click here.   ***   Heavily influenced by the British Invasion, yet undeniably original, Big Star (vocalists/guitarists Alex Chilton and Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel, and drummer Jody Stephens) offered a fresh new sound when they emerged in the early ’70s. While power pop wouldn’t truly take off until later in the decade, the Memphis band set the tone with their infectious blend of jangly pop, driving guitars, sweet harmonies, and wistful melancholia. In 1971, Big Star made their debut with #1 Record, which featured such memorable numbers as “In the Street” (later made famous by Cheap Trick), “Thirteen” ("one of rock's most beautiful celebrations of adolescence" — Rolling Stone, 2011), and “The Ballad of El Goodo.” (“The bridge [or middle eight, call it what you will] alone shows more talent and creativity than some bands' entire back catalogues.” — The Guardian, 2011) While the album garnered high marks from critics, however, it failed to make a commercial splash.   Bell departed the band soon after, leaving Chilton, Hummel, and Stephens to continue as a trio. In late 1973, Big Star returned to Ardent Studios to record their follow-up, with producer John Fry. Despite losing his longtime collaborator, Chilton stepped in as the band’s de facto leader—a role that allowed his songwriting talents to shine. Released in 1974, Radio City (available via Stax Records/Craft Recordings) featured some of Big Star’s most beloved tracks, including the bluesy opener “O, My Soul,” offbeat rocker “Back of a Car,” the sweet acoustic ballad “I’m in Love with a Girl,” plus their iconic pop classic, “September Gurls.” Once again, Radio City was met with critical acclaim but fell victim to distribution issues, selling less than 20,000 copies at the time.   But the story of Radio City certainly wasn’t over. Shared between friends and musicians as the years went on, the album became a cult favorite—far exceeding its original commercial performance. Today, it is considered a definitive title in the power pop canon and has long been counted among rock’s greatest albums. Hailed as “Pure power pop perfection” by Rolling Stone, Radio City has been included in the outlet’s 2003, 2012, and 2020 “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” rankings. “September Gurls,” meanwhile, appeared on its “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list, while Consequence of Sound declared the track “One of American music’s prototypical power pop jams.”   Although Big Star disbanded in late 1974 (not long after recording their third album, Third/Sister Lovers), the band went on to achieve near-mythic status in the underground scene, influencing some the biggest alt-rock artists of the ’80s, ’90s and beyond, including R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub, Wilco, and The Replacements (who famously penned the song “Alex Chilton” as an ode to the group’s frontman). Over the years, Big Star’s songs have been reinterpreted by the likes of Elliott Smith, The Bangles, Placebo, Beck, Gin Blossoms, Garbage, Counting Crows, and Jeff Buckley, to name a few.   In the last two decades, Big Star has finally been given their due, honored with a host of glowing retrospectives, as well as a tribute record (Big Star Small World, 2006), a documentary (2012’s Nothing Can Hurt Me), and the 2016 concert film and live album, Thank You, Friends: Big Star’s Third Live…And More. The acclaimed release, which is available to view on Amazon Prime, captures the popular touring live show, “Big Star’s Third,” in which an all-star roster of guest vocalists and musicians join a core group (including Stephens, Mills, Auer, Sansone, and Stamey) to perform Third/Sister Lovers, plus selections from #1 Record and Radio City. Filmed at a concert in Glendale, CA, Thank You, Friends features a cross-generational lineup of talent, including Jeff Tweedy (Wilco), Ira Kaplan (Yo La Tengo), Robyn Hitchcock, Dan Wilson, original arranger Carl Marsh, and San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet.   Click here to buy or stream Radio City.   50th Anniversary Full Performance of Big Star's Radio City (& More):    August 21 - Cat's Cradle, Chapel Hill, NC August 22 - White Eagle Hall, Jersey City, NJ August 23 - Keswick Theatre, Glenside, PA August 24 - Union Stage, Washington, DC Oct. 1 - Crosstown Theater, Memphis, TN Oct. 4 - Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, CA Oct. 7 - The Lodge Room, Los Angeles, CA Oct. 24 - Auditorio Mar de Vigo, Vigo, Spain Oct. 26 - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, Spain Oct. 27 - La Riviera, Madrid, Spain Oct. 29 - Folketeateret, Oslo, Norway Oct. 31 - Hackney Church, London, UK   The Big Star Quintet (with special guest John Stirratt [Wilco] subbing for Mike Mills) will also be hitting the road this July:   July 13 — FitzGerald's, Chicago, IL July 14 — Square Roots Festival, Chicago, IL July 15 — Codfish Hollow Barnstormers, Maquoketa, IA  Photo Credit: Luis Troner   Official social media: Big Star: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / YouTube    About Stax Records: Stax Records, now owned by Concord, was founded by Jim Stewart in 1957 in Memphis, Tennessee. It rose from a small, family-operated company to become one of the most influential record labels in the world, helping create “The Memphis Sound” and launching the careers of icons such as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, Booker T. & The M.G.’s the Staple Singers, Sam & Dave, Rufus and Carla Thomas, The Bar-Kays, and dozens of other artists who helped change popular culture forever. In all, Stax placed 167 hit songs in the Top 100 in Pop and 243 hits in the Top 100 in R&B.   For more info visit, staxrecords.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.    About Craft Recordings:  Craft Recordings is home to one of the largest and most essential collections of master recordings and compositions in the world. Its storied repertoire includes landmark releases from icons such as Joan Baez, John Coltrane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Celia Cruz, Miles Davis, Isaac Hayes, John Lee Hooker, Little Richard, R.E.M., Joan Sebastian, and Traveling Wilburys. Plus, the catalog recordings of celebrated contemporary acts including A Day to Remember, Evanescence, Alison Krauss, Nine Inch Nails, Taking Back Sunday and Violent Femmes, to name just a few. Renowned imprints with catalogs issued under the Craft banner include Fania, Fantasy, Fearless, Musart, Nitro, Panart, Prestige, Riverside, Rounder, Specialty, Stax, Vanguard, Varèse Sarabande, Vee-Jay and Victory, among many others. Craft creates thoughtfully curated packages, with a meticulous devotion to quality and a commitment to preservation—ensuring that these recordings endure for new generations to discover. Craft is also home to the Billie Holiday and Tammy Wynette estates which preserve and protect their respective names, likeness and music through day-to-day legacy management of these cultural trailblazers.    Craft Recordings is the catalog label team for Concord. For more info, visit CraftRecordings.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

New Music: Popular Creeps, Bird Streets, New Riders of the Purple Sage

Three terrific releases are featured in my column this week.

Artist: Popular Creeps
Title: All Of This Will End In Tears (Big Stir Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Strypes, The Replacements, The Plimsouls, Cheap Trick

Tell me more: Detroit-based rock outfit Popular Creeps has released the terrific album All Of This Will End In Tears, one of the last notable new releases of 2022. Popular Creeps' hybrid of melodic songcraft and garage rock bite proves to be a winning formula across the fast-moving 11-track disc. There is an immediacy heard on the straightforward "Black & Blue," "Gone By 45," and "Wait & See" that bewitches with a single listen. Elsewhere the jangly "Window" and "Split Decision," wistful "Keep It To Myself" (the latter enhanced by stunning guitar work including an extended solo to cap the song's rousing finale), countrified folk rocker "Wait Forever," punk rocker "Tear Me Apart" and emotional closer "Favorite Picture" add to the far-flung magic. The members of Popular Creeps (guitarist-vocalist Lenny Grassa, guitarist-vocalist Andrew Colvin, bassist Joe Heaphy and drummer Dave Nantais) have an obvious musical chemistry that is both impressive and palpable. Information: BigStirRecords.com.

Artist: Bird Streets
Title: Lagoon (Sparkle Plenty Records/Deko Entertainment)

You might like if you enjoy: Big Star, Jason Falkner, Crowded House, Pugwash, Bird Streets' 2018 self-titled debut

Tell me more: Bird Streets — the moniker for singer-songwriter John Brodeur — is back with the ambitious Lagoon. An album of luxurious and literate songs aimed at "separation, rumination, regret and recurrence," the artistic scope of the dozen track collection is elevated by an incredible list of notable collaborators who guest on the project. Indeed, Brodeur's considerable talents as lead singer and guitarist are bolstered by the likes of Aimee Mann, Jody Stephens (Big Star), Ed Harcourt, John Davis, and Buddy Judge (The Grays) along with the production skills of Patrick Sansone (Wilco), Michael Lockwood (Aimee Mann, Fiona Apple), and Zach Jones (Sting) and Oscar Albis Rodriguez (A Great Big World). While the initial recording of Lagoon spanned from the earliest sessions in Nashville in 2019 through time at Ardent Studios in Memphis in February 2020, the sudden arrival of the COVID-19 global pandemic ultimately found Brodeur turning to Los Angeles-based producer Lockwood to work on the project via remote technology for the home stretch. Each and every song on Lagoon hits its mark; the confessional opener "Sleeper Agent," emotive "The Document" (the latter one of the most striking breakup songs in memory), soaring "Let You Down," haunting "Leave No Trace" (featuring Davis' artful sitar playing), confessional "Disappearing Act" and Baroque pop sortie "Unkind" are among the wonderful songs on the masterful collection. Information: birdstreetsmusic.com.

Artist: New Riders of the Purple Sage
Title: Lyceum '72 (Omnivore Recordings)

You might like if you enjoy: The Grateful Dead, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Gram Parsons

Tell me more: A magical trip back 50 years awaits music fans who check out New Riders of the Purple Sage's Lyceum '72, a previously unissued opening set from the last night of the Grateful Dead's 1972 European Tour. New Riders of the Purple Sage — whose original lineup included several members of the Grateful Dead —shine across the 17-track concert recording that was recorded on a 16-track machine by Dead engineers Betty Cantor, Janet Furman, Bob Matthews, Rosie McGee and Wizard. The quintet's take on country music is infectious and many of the selections here are familiar beyond the Americana genre. The rowdy "Hello Mary Lou," uptempo "Truck Drivin' Man," infectious "Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)" and countrified take on The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Women" are among the wonderful tracks on the disc. Lyceum '72 is available on audio CD and digital with packaging containing photographs and a reminiscence from Sam Cutler, tour manager of The Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead and New Riders of the Purple Sage.  Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.

Robert Kinsler

Big Star's '#1 Record' celebrated in Nov. 5, 2022 Wild Honey Foundation all-star show

Exciting news for SoCal music fans! You have plans for Nov. 5, 2022! Robert Kinsler

WILD HONEY FOUNDATION, JODY STEPHENS,  and the ALEX THEATRE PRESENT  BIG STAR’S #1 Record, A 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION   Benefit for the Autism Healthcare Collaborative 8pm Saturday, November 5th, 2022 Alex Theatre, Glendale, Calif.   Performers include Jody Stephens (Big Star), Chris Stamey (The dB’s),  Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Pat Sansone (Wilco), Susanna Hoffs (Bangles), and  The Lemon Twigs, Jon Auer (the Posies),  and others. LOS ANGELES, Calif. — To celebrate the 50th Anniversary the release of the classic album Big Star #1 Record, benefit concert producers the Wild Honey Foundation and Big Star founder Jody Stephens will present a live performance of this legendary LP, performed in its entirety and in order by Jody Stephen’s all-star ensemble. Bonus songs from Big Star’s Radio City (“September Gurls”), Big Star Third, and Chris Bell solo material will also be performed. The event, a benefit for the Autism Healthcare Collaborative, will take place November 5th, 2022 at 8 p.m., at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, Calif. (Los Angeles metro).  Jody Stephens of Big Star The Big Star #1 Ensemble includes: Jody Stephens (Big Star), Jeff Crawford, Mike Mills (R.E.M.), Pat Sansone (Wilco), Charles Cleaver, Django Haskins, Brett Harris, Chris Stamey (The dB's), Skylar Gudasz, and Audley Freed. Guest vocalists include Susanna Hoffs, The Lemon Twigs, Luther Russell, Chris Price, Jon Auer (Posies) and more TBA. The Big Star Ensemble will be accompanied by Wild Honey Orchestra members: Kaitlin Wolfberg, violin; Eric KM Clark, violin 2; Lyn Bertles, viola; Emily Elkin, cello; and brass players Sarah Kramer, trumpet; David Ralicke, trombone/sax; and Nelson Bragg, percussion The show will benefit the Autism Healthcare Collaborative: an internationally recognized non-profit organization committed to facilitating the medical and psychosocial stabilization of individuals and families living with autism. The Autism Healthcare Collaborative provides a multidisciplinary team approach to the identification and treatment of the complicated medical comorbidities of autism by connecting medical experts to families and physicians around the world through medical videoconferencing. AHC offers innovative solutions for individuals with autism, across the spectrum and throughout their lifetime, through comprehensive case management, community outreach, advocacy, and education. https://www.autismhc.org/ About the Wild Honey Foundation: Since 1994, Wild Honey Foundation, a 501(c)(3), non-profit, has produced concerts, film screenings, online fundraisers, and live stream events to benefit autism treatment/research and members of the music community in need. Led by Paul Rock, David Jenkins, and Michael Ackerman, Wild Honey is a grass roots, volunteer organization dedicated to passing on the passion, creativity, and idealism found in rock, rhythm & blues, folk, classical, and pop music to future generations through cultural events of all types.   For more information on the Wild Honey Foundation, please go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/183120448393501/  Email Wildhoneyfoundation@yahoo.com                                                          # # #

 

 

'Waiting: The Van Duren Story' documentary coming Aug. 5, 2022

This is truly an exciting release and I hope everyone will check out this news and discover the genius of Van Duren. (on a side note, you can read my February 2019 review of the original film soundtrack for the documentary HERE)..Robert Kinsler

A long forgotten power pop artist from the ashes of Big Star gets discovered by two Australians, determined to find out his true story...

MVD Visuals is proud to announce the release of the award-winning documentary on the lost Memphis power pop artist, Van Duren. From the ashes of Big Star in Memphis, Duren played in bands with Jody Stephens and Chris Bell, before being led to New Haven by manager Andrew Loog Oldham of the Rolling Stones.

Forty years later, two Australians discover his music and, on a drunken promise, embark on an amazing journey to make a film about the artist touted as "the next Paul McCartney." There's only one catch - the two have never made a movie before, so it's learn as they go.

Their quest leads them to con men, rock stars and Scientologists, as they uncover the dark secrets that kept Duren's second album from ever being released. Despite one setback after another, they soldier on, until they realize he doesn't own the rights to his music. Without the music, how will they complete the film? After meeting Van Duren at Ardent Studios in Memphis, they find that they are now part of the story, and must help Duren get his music rights back.

This is a real-life Searching for Sugarman, with a feel-good approach as two Aussies venture across the globe to discover the driving passion of music, and the commitment to fulfill a promise.

Featuring Jody Stephens, Andrew Loog Oldham, Hilly Michaels, Jon Tiven, Greg Morrow and Mickey Curry. Limited edition digi-pak Collectors Edition features extended interviews with Andrew Loog Oldham (Rolling Stones), Jody Stephens (Big Star) and Terry Manning (Ardent Studios).

Get more information on the DVD release HERE.