December 28, 2020 The Memphis pop band Big Star (composed at one point of, from left to right, Andy Hummel, Jody Stephens, Chris Bell and Alex Chilton) would eventually be acknowledged as a significant force among purveyors of power-pop, though not until years after the group's demise. (.Magnolia, via NPR) History Highlight: Alex Chilton was born on this day in 1950, and in 1978 on December 27, Chris Bell was killed in a car crash at the age of 27. Both of these events are significant in the history of the band Big Star, who formed in 1971 and were only active for four years until their reunion 18 years later. They released three albums in their first incarnation and their fourth and final album in 2005. Describing their early days, Rolling Stone said they created a "seminal body of work that never stopped inspiring succeeding generations", and were the "quintessential American power pop band", and "one of the most mythic and influential cult acts in all of rock & roll".