Accessibility links
Big Star Big Star artist page: interviews, features and/or performances archived at NPR Music

Big Star

A Light Goes Out In Memphis

John Fry, founder of Ardent Studios, died in December after nurturing some of the best music to ever come out of Memphis. Facebook / Ardent Studios hide caption

toggle caption
Facebook / Ardent Studios

Music News

A Light Goes Out In Memphis

Music producer Rick Clark remembers John Fry, co-founder of Ardent Studios, who died last month after 50 years of nurturing some of the best music to ever come out of Memphis.

A Light Goes Out In Memphis: Remembering John Fry

Listen · 3:58
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/374622143/374910882" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
For Power-Pop Fans, The Woeful Ballad Of 'Big Star'

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 hide caption

toggle caption
Magnolia

Review

Movie Reviews

For Power-Pop Fans, The Woeful Ballad Of 'Big Star'

For many, the entry point into Big Star's legacy is the opening theme song of That '70s Show. But long before Ashton Kutcher met Mila Kunis, a cult-favorite Memphis band struggled to make it big — and some of its members died trying.

Big Star, Ardent Music And Defining American Power-Pop

Big Star's members pose in front of their barn. Andy Modla hide caption

toggle caption
Andy Modla

World Cafe

Big Star, Ardent Music And Defining American Power-Pop

XPN

Our "Sense of Place" spotlight on Memphis wouldn't be complete without visiting Ardent Studios, where the power-pop royalty in Big Star recorded three albums. We speak with the group's drummer, Jody Stephens, who still runs the studio.

Big Star And Ardent Music On World Cafe

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/169544033/169495227" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Exclusive First Listen: Big Star
Mike O'Brien

First Listen

Exclusive First Listen: Big Star

XPN

With 98 songs, the Memphis group's new box set (Keep an Eye on the Sky) is a definitive collection of Big Star's early-'70s recordings. It sets the record straight about a massively influential group that inspired some of rock's biggest stars. From now until its release on Sept. 15, you can stream the box set's remarkable first disc (26 songs) in its entirety.

Exclusive First Listen: Big Star

  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/112572226/112566659" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Review

Music Reviews

Music Review: 'Big Star Story' from Big Star

The 1970s Memphis rock band Big Star never reached commercial success, but the group is often cited as a precursor to the grunge of the 1990s, as well as today's power-pop. A new compilation, Big Star Story, assembles some of the songs from the group's three full-length albums. NPR's Will Hermes has a review.

Music Review: 'Big Star Story' from Big Star

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1483704/1483705" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Alex Chilton: Remembering A 'Star'-Crossed Singer
Rhino Recordings

Music News

Alex Chilton: Remembering A 'Star'-Crossed Singer

Fresh Air

Musician Alex Chilton died yesterday. He was the lead singer of the Memphis band Big Star. To remember the underground legend, Ed Ward reviews Keep an Eye on the Sky, a four-disc collection of recordings, demos and outtakes.

Alex Chilton: Remembering A 'Star'-Crossed Singer

Listen · 7:43
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/124815368/124822238" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Big Star: The Unluckiest Band In America

Big Star acquired a cult following in the 1980s, when other groups started sampling their songs. Rhino Records hide caption

toggle caption
Rhino Records

Review

Music Reviews

Big Star: The Unluckiest Band In America

Fresh Air

The '70s Memphis-based rock band Big Star won rave reviews for their albums and influenced countless followers, but never managed to become stars. Rock and Roll historian Ed Ward says a new box set and a collection of recordings by founding member Chris Bell offer a chance to look back on the band's troubled life.

Big Star: The Unluckiest Band In America

Listen · 7:29
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/123270136/123271741" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

All Songs Considered

Malaysian Singer Zee Avi, A Power Pop Classic From Big Star, The Shortwave Set, More

A power pop classic from Big Star, Malaysian singer Zee Avi, a new Danger Mouse project, more.

Malaysian Singer Zee Avi, A Power Pop Classic From Big Star, The Shortwave Set, More

Listen · 34:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/105107290/105100936" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Browse archive or search npr.org