PAGES: 480
DIMENSIONS:6 x 1 x 9 Inches
FORMAT: Softcover
AUTHOR(S):Rich Tupica

Available 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 bandmateseven fans, exes, classmates, and coworkers.

Bells and Big Stars existence was short, but the wealth of stories and quotes here provides a healthy sustenance for the truth seekers. A top-notch biography. San Francisco Book Review

The varied cast of voicesmany from the bands hometown of Memphiscomprises 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 rocks most important bands, including R.E.M., the Replacements, Yo La Tengo, Teenage Fanclub, Beck, and Wilco.

With Chris Bell at the center of the Big Star universe, this book carefully reveals the production of the bands masterful 1972 debut LP, #1 Record, 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. There Was A Light then delves into Big Stars second and third albums, while recounting Bells 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 labelseven crossing paths with Paul McCartney. From this fertile era arose Bells lone solo album, the posthumously released I Am the Cosmoshis swan song and masterpiece.

There Was A Light details the pop culture phenomenon that made Big Star legendary and divulges how its staunch fanbase saved the band from obscurity.

… an encyclopedic compendiumilluminating Bells life from a thousand angles. Memphis Flyer