In a man called destruction, holly georgewarren chronicles the uncertain path of the rock singer alex chilton. A man called destruction is also the only thing about this criminally under appreciated band youll ever need to read. The first biography of the artist who essentially invented indie and alternative rock spin a brilliant and influenti. Holly georgewarren a walk through the downward spiral that was the life of teenage celebritymusician, cult figure alex chilton, this bio explores chiltons rollercoaster to stardom the box tops, big star and the downfall that ended his life in 2010. Read a man called destruction the life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man by holly georgewarren available from rakuten kobo. For the 2014 biography, see a man called destruction book. A man called destruction is also the only thing about this criminally underappreciated band youll ever need to read. A man called destruction by holly georgewarren kirkus. Alex chilton, the 16yearold lead singer of the box tops who spectacularly squandered his fame, money and talent and never again reached an equal measure of success following the 1960s hits the letter. Features \ read an excerpt from alex chilton biography a man called destruction excerpt from holly georgewarrens justreleased book. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man kindle edition by georgewarren, holly.
In a man called destruction, holly georgewarren chronicles the uncertain. The first biography of the influential musician and. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to back door man by holly georgewarren penguin books 2014 alex chilton is depicted as a teenage pop idol, a troubled and misunderstood genius and a cult hero in. A few words about the recording of the letter, since holly georgewarrens new chilton biography, a man called destruction, tells the. And that is certainly the portrait emerging from holly georgewarrens a man called destruction. A man called destruction, by holly georgewarren music journalist holly georgewarrens new book traces the troubled life and backwards career arc of big stars alex chilton. A man called destruction proved to be one of chiltons final solo efforts, and its a shame he didnt try this again by this time, he was slowly but surely turning jamming in the studio into some sort of an raggedbutright art form. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to. If you dont find it there, post a description on our unsolved message board and we can try to help each other out.
A man called destruction is a studio album by american pop rock musician alex chilton, released in 1995. The life and times of gene autry, punk 365, and a dozen other books. The first biography of the influential musician and forebear of the indierock scene, out on march 24th, 2014. In a man called destruction, music critic holly georgewarren the road to woodstockwhose band, clambake, chilton produced in 1985vividly narrates chiltons rise to early fame, his genius in developing new musical directions and his precipitous decline from the musical pinnacle to an untimely death at the age of 59. Please provide plot details no spoilers and the genre of the book youre looking for in the topic header not something vague like help.
Music journalist holly georgewarrens new book traces the troubled life and backwards career arc of big stars alex chilton. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man is a 2014 biography of musician alex chilton, written. Awardwinning music writer holly georgewarrens a man called destruction is the. Awardwinning music writer holly georgewarrens a man called destruction is the first biography of this enigmatic artist, who died in 2010. Alex chiltons story is rags to riches in reverse, beginning with teenage rock stardom and heading downward. Alex chilton a man called destruction omnivore recordings. The first biography of the artist who essentially invented indie and alternative rock spina brilliant and influential songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, the charismatic alex chilton was more than a rock starhe was a true cult icon. Spina brilliant and influential songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, the charismatic alex chilton was more than a rock star. The first biography of the influential musician and forebe. It does more than all the articles, books, documentary films, and cover. A man called destruction, about alex chilton the new. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading a man called destruction.
A man called destruction the life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man book. The life and music of alex chilton from box tops to big star to backdoor man. Awardwinning music writer holly georgewarrens a man called destruction is the first biography of this enigmatic artist, who died in. But above all else he was an artist committed to his own individual path.
Holly georgewarrens meticulously researched and beautifully written book shows us chilton in all his mysterious glory. A man called destruction chicago public library overdrive. Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our pro connect email alert. The album consisted of six songs written by chilton, and six cover versions including jan and dean s. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. A man called destruction, about alex chilton the new york times. It does more than all the articles, books, documentary films, and cover albums with liner notes written by famous fanboys about how important and lifechanging big stars recordings were combinednobody has done such a great job telling his story before. The official publication date of georgewarrens a man called destruction.
After becoming a rock star at 16, alex chilton grew so contemptuous of his. Though theyre often referred to as the definitive cult band, big star left the ranks of the obscure some time ago. Holly georgewarrens a man called destruction details the life of big. But the film is about the whole band, and this book is all chilton. A man called destruction ebook by holly georgewarren. I loved reading this sensitive, sympathetic, and intelligent portrait of. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man is a 2014 biography of musician alex chilton, written by holly georgewarren.
The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man 4. Alex chilton was an incredibly gifted songwriter and singer. A man called self destruction the life and music of. The first chapter of your book traces chiltons family tree all the way back to. A man called destruction gets to the heart of the man by focusing on the music he made and the music that made him with great precision and authority. In the careerspanning and revelatory a man called destruction, longtime chilton acquaintance holly georgewarren has interviewed more than 100 bandmates, friends, and family members to flesh out a man who presided over and influenced four decades of american musical history, rendered here with new perspective through the adventures of a.
By this standard, alex chilton stands as one of the most sincere musicians in the history of rock and roll. A brilliant and influential songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist, the charismatic alex chilton was more than a rock starhe was a true cult icon. Around 20 years later, in the early 1990s, chilton asked music journalist holly georgewarren to cowrite a book recounting his experiences as a. The life and music of alex chilton by holly georgewarren. I loved reading this sensitive, sympathetic, and intelligent portrait of a complicated and important figure. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The life and music of alex chilton from box tops to big star to backdoor man by holly georgewarren viking. A former 60s teen idol, alex chilton, hooked up with an old acquaintance from. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to.
Covering chiltons life from his early work with the charttopping box tops and the seminal powerpop band big star to his experiments with punk and roots music and his sprawling solo career, a man called destruction is the story of a musical icon and a richly detailed chronicle of pop musics evolution, from the mid1960s through todays indie rock. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man. A man called destruction, a biography of alex chilton by. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man by georgewarren, holly isbn. Read an excerpt from alex chilton biography a man called. Following stints leading 60s sensation the box tops the letter and pioneering 70s popsters big star, chilton became a. A brilliant songwriter, virtuosic vocalist, and accomplished guitarist, the charismatic alex chilton was not only a bona fide rock star but perhaps the ultimate cult icon one whose death on march 17, 2010, brought tributes from the new york times to the house of representatives.
A man called destruction was a mixed bag of styles and interests captured by chilton, producer jeff powell, and a collection of musicians and instruments, including prominently placed horns. The life and music of alex chilton, from box tops to big star to backdoor man by holly georgewarren. Returning to memphis and the legendary ardent studios, destruction was a classic chilton mix of originals and covers, this time with a fullhorn section. Chiltons career began with the 1967 hit the letter, on which the sixteenyearold singer sang in a raspy.