Alex Chilton – Squid: December 4th, 1995

The late, great Alex Chilton would have been 73 years old today but, sadly, he died March 17, 2010 at age 59. The 13th Floor’s Marty Duda started his attempt at “music journalism” back in 1995 with this review of Chilton at Squid club in Auckland. Read it and weep…

I know that Alex Chilton is renowned for ignoring fans of both bands in his live shows.

I know that in Auckland, New Zealand, you don’t get a chance to see guys like Alex Chilton very often, so when his show was announced a few months ago, I knew I would be there.

I didn’t know what to expect.

Accolades attribute near legendary status to Chilton (see Replacements), though I was unaware of much of his solo stuff, familiar mostly with his post-Big Star production work with the early Panther Burns.

The December 4th show was originally booked into The Power Station but was shifted to the much smaller Squid club at the last minute due to poor ticket sales and lousy promotion.

Those of us who showed up (about 100) were in for a treat. Chilton strolled on-stage with his band (bass & drums) up for anything. He was looking good in a purple sequined jacket that would have made Elvis proud. After a couple of rockabilly sounding things someone (inevitably) yelled for “The Letter.”

Instead of ignoring the request, Chilton turned to his drummer, gave him the beat, and kicked into a version of the song he sang as a 16-year-old upstart that would have turned Joe Cocker green.

I would have been satisfied had the show ended then and there.

So, what to follow up with?

“Volare.” Of course. Yes, the 1958 Domenico Modugno chestnut, sung entirely in Italian. It went over so well, Chilton announced he would perform the rest of the show in Italian and broke into another rockabilly tune, familiar, except it was sung in Italian.

More requests: Lee Dorsey’s “Holy Cow,” followed by… surf music! “Little G.T.O.” (originally by Ronny & The Daytonas) and The Beach Boys‘ “New Girl In School.” Chilton’s falsetto was in fine form. And his guitar playing was a revelation. He definitely has that Memphis soul thing working when it comes to the guitar.

There were a few originals sprinkled throughout the set–“Free Again” and “Kanga-Roo”–but he seemed intent on taking us through a rock & roll history lesson.

Chilton wrapped things up with Paul Anka’s “Goodnight My Love”. From Memphis to Las Vegas. Must be something about sequined jackets.

Marty Duda