Jody Stephens

When singer-songwriter Alex Chilton and drummer Jody Stephens played their first Big Star concert in almost 20 years in 1993, Stephens said it was the first time the band had performed before a paying audience that actually knew their songs. This soulful Memphis power-pop group’s initial three albums—#1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers—barely were heard upon release but now stand as all-time greats. Stephens, the original lineup’s sole survivor and one of rock’s good guys, recalls the contrasting brilliance and instability of Chilton and original co-leader Chris Bell, Chilton’s instrument-smashing blow-up with bassist Andy Hummel, and the inspired work that led the Replacements’ Paul Westerberg to sing, “I never travel far without a little Big Star!” He's also got a great Ringo story...