{"product_id":"there-was-a-light-the-cosmic-history-of-chris-bell-and-the-rise-of-big-star-book","title":"THERE WAS A LIGHT: THE COSMIC HISTORY OF CHRIS BELL AND THE RISE OF BIG STAR BOOK","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePAGES: 480\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDIMENSIONS: 6 x 1 x 9 Inches\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFORMAT: Softcover\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAUTHOR(S): Rich Tupica\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAvailable for the first time as a traditional paperback, this revised and updated edition contains new and archival interviews with those closest to Chris Bell and the Big Star circle: their friends, family, former bandmates—even fans, exes, classmates, and coworkers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“Bell’s and Big Star’s existence was short, but the wealth of stories and quotes here provides a healthy sustenance for the truth seekers. A top-notch biography.” —\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSan Francisco Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe varied cast of voices—many from the band’s hometown of Memphis—comprises all the members of Big Star, including Chris Bell, the iconic Alex Chilton, Andy Hummel, and Jody Stephens. In the following decades after its 1975 breakup, the obscure group somehow reached and inspired some of rock’s most important bands, including R.E.M., the Replacements, Yo La Tengo, Teenage Fanclub, Beck, and Wilco.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWith Chris Bell at the center of the Big Star universe, this book carefully reveals the production of the band’s masterful 1972 debut LP, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e#1 Record\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e, for Ardent\/Stax Records. Despite stellar reviews, the record suffered abysmal sales. Soon after, toxic personality conflicts and turmoil tore the band apart while Bell battled drug abuse and depression. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere Was A Light\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e then delves into Big Star’s second and third albums, while recounting Bell’s second act as a struggling solo musician and born-again Christian. During several trips to Europe, he produced ambitious recordings and pitched himself to record labels—even crossing paths with Paul McCartney. From this fertile era arose Bell’s lone solo album, the posthumously released \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eI Am the Cosmos\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e—his swan song and masterpiece.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThere Was A Light\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e details the pop culture phenomenon that made Big Star legendary and divulges how its staunch fanbase saved the band from obscurity.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e“... an encyclopedic compendium…illuminating Bell’s life from a thousand angles.” —\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMemphis Flyer\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Post Hill Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67766358442078,"sku":"THERE-WAS-A-LIGHT-BOOK","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0280\/0484\/3614\/files\/image_59dae953-c707-460e-930f-c2801f3f0d03.jpg?v=1792168285","url":"https:\/\/shop.revolvermag.com\/products\/there-was-a-light-the-cosmic-history-of-chris-bell-and-the-rise-of-big-star-book","provider":"Revolver Magazine","version":"1.0","type":"link"}