R.E.M Star To Take Part In Alex Chilton Tribute At SXSW 2010

The remaining members of Big Star will perform a musical tribute to late bandmate Alex Chilton at the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival on Saturday.

The singer and guitarist passed away at a hospital in New Orleans on Wednesday, suffering from heart problems. He was 59.

Big Star, who had been booked to perform at the festival in Texas before Chilton's death, will be joined by a host of special guests.

These include Mike Mills of the band R.E.M, who have spoken in the past about Chilton's impact on their music.

"It'll be just a cool way for us to all share that music Alex was part of," Big Star's Jody Stephens told Billboard.

The drummer added that he was “grateful” for the interest people have shown in the band in the days since Chilton's death.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee in December 1950, Chilton originally found fame as a teenager with the Box Tops.

But it was with Big Star where he became a hero for musicians around the world.

For more information about SXSW and all this summer's festivals, check out the Gigwise Festival Guide.

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