This is not a movie review, but rather an advance notice. In 2012, a full length documentary is being released detailing the influential cult band BIG STAR. The band was formed out of Memphis in 1971 by Alex Chilton, Chris Bell, Jody Stephens and Andy Hummel. If you are a music fan from the 60’s and 70’s, you will recognize the name Alex Chilton. He was the 16 year old lead singer for THE BOX TOPS on their hits “The Letter” and “Cry Like a Baby”. BIG STAR’s first album received wide spread critical acclaim, but was poorly marketed by their label, and the band never reached a wide audience before folding in 1974.
Years later, bands such as REM named BIG STAR as a key influence to their music … and a revival was born. Chilton and Stephens put a band together and began playing dates. In 2010, BIG STAR was to play SXSW Music Festival, but Chilton tragically died from heart problems just days before their scheduled performance. A special tribute show sprang from the fellow musicians at the festival and production on the documentary continued. It’s entitled NOTHING CAN HURT ME: THE BIG STAR STORY, is directed by Drew DeNicola and Danielle McCarthy, and will be ready for it’s debut during the Spring 2012 festival season. Here’s hoping Big Star finally finds the audience they deserve.
Here is the official site for the documentary
Watch the trailer
Listen to BIG STAR perform:
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