#1 Record
The debut, led in the studio by Chris Bell: twelve songs Billboard thought could all be singles, that sold fewer than 10,000 copies at first.
Big Star, 1972
- Released
- 1972
- Recorded
- May 1971 to February 1972
- Studio
- Ardent Studios, Memphis
- Label
- Ardent
- Producer
- John Fry
- Length
- 37:03
Bell brought songs from his earlier band Rock City, and Hummel and Chilton both said he led the studio work, sharing engineering and mixing with John Fry and Terry Manning, who also added electric piano and harmonies. The cover shows a white neon star with BIG in yellow neon at its centre.
Billboard said every track could be a single, but Stax could not get it into stores and it sold fewer than 10,000 copies at first. AllMusic gives it five stars, and Rolling Stone placed it at 474 on its 2020 list of the greatest albums. It was paired with Radio City on a UK double LP in the late 1970s, and Stax reissued it in 2014 with liner notes by R.E.M.'s Mike Mills.
Track listing
- Feel3:34
- The Ballad of El Goodo4:21
- In the Street2:55
- Thirteen2:34
- Don't Lie to Me3:07
- The India Song2:20
- When My Baby's Beside Me3:22
- My Life Is Right3:07
- Give Me Another Chance3:26
- Try Again3:31
- Watch the Sunrise3:45
- ST 100/61:01
Personnel
- Chris Bell guitar, vocals
- Alex Chilton guitar, vocals
- Andy Hummel bass, piano, vocals
- Jody Stephens drums, percussion, vocals
- Terry Manning electric piano, harmony vocals
More from Big Star
Radio City (1974)
Sources
- #1 Record, Wikipedia
- Big Star's #1 Record and Radio City to be reissued on 180-gram vinyl, Stax Records
- Big Star reissue album review, American Songwriter (2014)