Alex Bell

Album: Tremblers And Goggles By Rank (2022)
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Songfacts®:

  • "Alex Bell" is a tribute to two members of the band Big Star: Alex Chilton and Chris Bell. Chilton, the group leader who died in 2010 at 59, is also feted in the Replacements song "Alex Chilton." Bell, their guitarist, died in a car crash in 1978 when he was 27.

    Big Star, and these two guys in particular, are a big influence on Guided By Voices frontman Robert Pollard, who writes most of their songs, including this one. Pollard lists Chilton among his favorites as both a singer and songwriter.
  • Guided By Voices is a very prolific band, established in 1983. "Alex Bell" is part of their 36th album, Tremblers And Goggles By Rank. Robert Pollard feels the song brings them into a "new era." Running about five minutes, it's much longer than the typical GBV song, with an influence of progressive rock.

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