TV and Celebrity Newsource | Breaking.. Cult Music Icon Alex Chilton Dead At 59 30 Sec Ago..

Memphis music legend Alex Chilton, who rose to fame with both the Box Tops and Big Star, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday in New Orleans.  Chilton was 59-years old.

The Memphis-born Chilton rose to prominence at age 16 when his gruff vocals powered the massive Box Tops hit “The Letter,” as well as “Cry Like a Baby” and “Neon Rainbow.”

After the Box Tops broke up in 1970, Chilton had a brief solo run in New York before returning to Memphis. He soon joined forces with a group of Anglo-pop-obsessed musicians — fellow songwriter/guitarist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens — to form Big Star.

Chilton is survived by his wife Laura and son Timothy.