Power pop pioneer Alex Chilton of Big Star died today, according to a report from The Commercial Appeal of Memphis. The cause of death is suspected to have been a heart attack. He was 59.

The news was confirmed by Big Star founder Jody Stephens, who was scheduled to reunite with Chilton and co-founder Andy Hummel at South By Southwest on Saturday in celebration of last year’s immaculate box set, Eye on the Sky. There’s no word yet from SXSW as to the status of the showcase or corresponding panel, but a tribute seems both appropriate and imminent.

This article appears in March 12 • 2010.

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