Mike was one of a number of performers on hand to pay tribute to Alex Chilton at Antone’s in Austin on Saturday night. Chilton passed away late last week from a heart attack at age 59. The show also featured Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets, M. Ward, Chris Stamey of the db’s, John Doe of X, Chuck Prophet, Evan Dando, Susan Cowsill and the Watson Twins, Amy Speace, and Sondre Lerche. Big Star’s Jody Stephens and Andy Hummel were on hand along with John Auer and Ken Stringfellow. Mike sang “Jesus Christ” from Big Star’s “Third/Sister Lovers” and joined in on the encore for “September Gurls.” Mike said that It was “a very moving, powerful, and sad night, yet full of celebration and love” and added that he “was honored to be a part of it.”
Read Paul Westerberg’s op-ed about Alex Chilton in the NY Times as well as this recap of the evening in Entertainment Weekly