Chris Bell joined the 27 club on December 27, 1978. The cause of death is recorded as: Traffic collision (car)
Chris Bell, born on January 12, 1951, and sadly taken away on December 27, 1978, was an American musician and singer-songwriter who left a significant mark on the world of power pop music. Bell is best known for his work as the co-founder and lead guitarist of the band Big Star, which released its debut album, #1 Record, in 1972. This record, along with Bell's subsequent solo career, earned him a place among the unsung heroes of American pop music and influenced generations of indie rockers that followed.
Bell's early musical journey began in Memphis during the 1960s when he was heavily influenced by The Beatles and other British Invasion bands such as The Yardbirds and The Who. Bell started playing music at a young age, forming his first garage band, Jynx, with local musicians like Richard Rosebrough and Terry Manning. This group's name was a pun on The Kinks. Bell continued to perform and record in Memphis throughout the late 1960s, even collaborating with future Big Star member Alex Chilton before Chilton joined the Box Tops.
By the late 1960s, Bell began focusing on writing original songs and turned his attention away from cover bands. His work during this period eventually led to the formation of Big Star in the early 1970s. The group, which also included Alex Chilton on lead vocals and Dan Holtzclaw on drums, was a pioneer in the power pop genre, blending catchy melodies with raw, garage-band energy. Their debut album, #1 Record, was released in 1972 to critical acclaim but failed to gain commercial success. Despite this setback, Big Star continued to release music throughout the decade, leaving a lasting impact on the world of alternative rock.
Bell's legacy extends beyond his work with Big Star. In the mid-1970s, he pursued a solo career that resulted in the posthumous I Am the Cosmos LP, released in 1978. Bell's music has been praised for its influence on artists like Beck, R.E.M., Teenage Fanclub, Pixies, Primal Scream, Afghan Whigs, Pete Yorn, Wilco, The Posies, and The Replacements. These bands have either covered Bell's music or expressed their admiration for Big Star in the press. Bell's life and career were also documented in the acclaimed 2013 documentary, "Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me," and the 2018 book, "There Was a Light: The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star." Through these works, Bell's music and story continue to inspire new generations of musicians and fans alike.