The last surviving member of Big Star, drummer Jody Stephens has announced a US tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the band’s seminal #1 Record.
Under the banner ‘Big Star’, Stephens will be joined by R.E.M.’s Mike Mills, Wilco’s Pat Sansone, The Posies’ Jon Auer and The dB’s Chris Stamey across six shows, playing the album in full.
The Memphis-based rock band dropped the debut record in 1972, which quickly garnered praise from critics and punters alike, most of whom cited the vocals of Chris Bell and Alex Chilton and their guitar work.
It also featured instant classics such as In The Street, Thirteen and Give Me Another Chance.
Speaking with Flood Magazine around the album’s reissue in 2020, Stephens said he didn’t have any expectations around its initial release.
“We did this great record, at such an amazing time - it was like a record of ‘how I spent my summer vacation,’ in a way,” he said.
“I just marvelled at the way it all came together. I’d gone from being in what was primarily a cover band, where all the songs were laid out for everybody, with nothing much to create; you just had to have your chops up and be able to perform what someone else had written.
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“So with #1 Record, I had to create these drum parts, which was challenging. But once I got into it and just let go, then I could tune in to Alex or Chris, and the rest took care of itself.”
For those interested, the Don’t Lie To Me! tour kicks off in late November in Georgia before making its way across the US in the two weeks that follow.
