On Feb. 20, 1974, Memphis band Big Star — Alex Chilton (vocals, guitar), Chris Bell (vocals, guitar), Jody Stephens (drums) and Andy Hummel (bass) — released their second album, “Radio City.” Re-creating the album at Crosstown Theater on Oct. 1, 2024, are (from left) Pat Sansone, Jon Auer, Jody Stephens, Mike Mills and Chris Stamey. (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
Pat Sansone of Wilco, who was born in Meridian, Mississippi, performs at the Radio City Big Star Reunion on Oct. 1, 2024. (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
Chris Stamey, left, trades his acoustic guitar for keyboards at the Radio City Big Star Reunion on Oct. 1, 2024. He is joined by (from second left) Pat Sansone, Jon Auer, Jody Stephens and Mike Mills. (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
Original Big Star member Jody Stephens takes the mic at the Radio City Big Star Reunion on Oct. 1, 2024. “Radio City” included two of Big Star’s most famous songs, “September Gurls” and “Back of a Car.” (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
“We’re going to play a record that meant so much to me when I finally got it,” said Chris Stamey of The dBs, right. “It didn’t leave my turntable for two years.” He is joined on stage by (from left) Mike Mills, Pat Sansone, Jon Auer and Jody Stephens at the Radio City Big Star Reunion on Oct. 1, 2024. (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
Pat Sansone of Wilco, a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, musician and music producer, performs at the Radio City Big Star Reunion on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
Original Big Star drummer Jody Stephens co-wrote (with Alex Chilton and Andy Hummel) “Daisy Glaze,” the third song on Side Two of Big Star’s “Radio City.” (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
Jody Stephens (background, on drums), played with Alex Chilton in Big Star and the Box Tops. He is joined on stage at the Crosstown Theater by (foreground, from left) Pat Sansone, Jon Auer, Mike Mills and Chris Stamey. (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
A sandwich board outside the Crosstown Theater advertises the show within, where five music legends performed the 12 tracks of Big Star’s “Radio City” (1974). (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian)
Music heavyweights re-create Big Star LP with original drummer
Jody Stephens, the only surviving member of legendary Memphis band Big Star, was joined on stage by Mike Mills of R.E.M., Pat Sansone of Wilco, Jon Auer of The Posies and Chris Stamey of The dBs to audibly re-create Big Star’s second album, “Radio City,” at Crosstown Theater Tuesday night. Reporter Jody Callahan was there, notepad and phone camera in hand.