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Which big names played the Big Star tribute? In the wake of turmoil of the death of Alex Chilton, local media bandied names including Cheap Trick, fresh off a sterling SXSW show at Auditorium Shores, and Paul Westerberg - who had his say-so in Sunday's New York Times - as among those who might appear onstage. Here's our tally of the actual guests: Curt Kirkwood, M. Ward, Evan Dando, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, Chris Stamey, John Doe, Amy Spease, Sondre Lerche, Chuck Prophet, Susan Cowsill and the Watson Twins. It was a rousing if tear-filled occasion; drummer Jody Stephens seemed at times to be in a trance.
One real treat was watching Chilton's collaborators Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow, longtime Posies and members of Big Star since 1994, mix it up with original Big Star guitarist Andy Hummel, who left the band in 1974. When Big Star previously played Antone's during the 2004 edition of SXSW, Hammel was unable to join the showcase.
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