EPISODE · Jan 7, 2026 · 37 MIN
Big Star vs Columbia Records
The guys get into what drives some bands into "cult" status by exploring the story of Alex Chilton and Big Star - and the big scandal that kept their first two records from reaching the masses. Support the show on PatreonSee the show on YouTubeVisit the show on InstagramVisit the show on FacebookSign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email! (It's free!)SHOW NOTES:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Starhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bell_(American_musician)https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/why-big-star-number-1-record-was-commercial-failure/https://relix.com/articles/detail/that-70s-cult-band-big-star-remembered/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Chiltonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stax_Recordshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estelle_Axtonhttps://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/soundcheck/articles/43814-stax-vs-motownhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/02/alex-chilton-big-star-biography-rocks-backpages-melody-makerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardent_Recordshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Bellhttps://www.memphisflyer.com/40-years-of-ardenthttps://123oclock4oclockrock.com/2014/10/24/the-story-big-star/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/08/01/john-king-obit-memphis-ardent-records-big-star-memphis-listening-lab/10208764002/https://stevenrosenwriter.wordpress.com/2019/12/26/all-the-way-to-memphis-big-star-and-the-great-rock-writers-convention-of-1973/https://clivedavisarchives.com/the-end/https://streamingthruamerica.com/2021/06/09/soul-food-for-thought-the-history-of-stax-recordshttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/clive-davis-ousted-payola-coverup-charged-37191/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Star_Marketshttps://www.vice.com/en/article/the-genius-of-chris-bell-one-of-rocks-greatest-tragedies/https://www.amazon.com/Big-Star-Story-Rocks-Forgotten-ebook/dp/B0047T6QB2See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
What this episode covers
The guys get into what drives some bands into "cult" status by exploring the story of Alex Chilton and Big Star - and the big scandal that kept their first two records from reaching the masses. Support the show on PatreonSee the show on YouTubeVisit the show on InstagramVisit the show on FacebookSign up for Brian's daily FIVE SONGS email! (It's free!)SHOW NOTES:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Starhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chris_Bell_(American_musician)https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/why-big-star-number-1-record-was-commercial-failure/https://relix.com/articles/detail/that-70s-cult-band-big-star-remembered/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Chiltonhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stax_Recordshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estelle_Axtonhttps://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/soundcheck/articles/43814-stax-vs-motownhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/apr/02/alex-chilton-big-star-biography-rocks-backpages-melody-makerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardent_Recordshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Bellhttps://www.memphisflyer.com/40-years-of-ardenthttps://123oclock4oclockrock.com/2014/10/24/the-story-big-star/https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/08/01/john-king-obit-memphis-ardent-records-big-star-memphis-listening-lab/10208764002/https://stevenrosenwriter.wordpress.com/2019/12/26/all-the-way-to-memphis-big-star-and-the-great-rock-writers-convention-of-1973/https://clivedavisarchives.com/the-end/https://streamingthruamerica.com/2021/06/09/soul-food-for-thought-the-history-of-stax-recordshttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/clive-davis-ousted-payola-coverup-charged-37191/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Star_Marketshttps://www.vice.com/en/article/the-genius-of-chris-bell-one-of-rocks-greatest-tragedies/https://www.amazon.com/Big-Star-Story-Rocks-Forgotten-ebook/dp/B0047T6QB2 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Big Star vs Columbia Records
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