Holly George-Warren: A Man Called Destruction

"Alex could be the biggest fanboy in the world when it came to other people's music," says rock journalist and award-winning author Holly George-Warren about singer/songwriter Alex Chilton of the Box Tops and Big Star. Among the artists Chilton was most influenced by was Lux Interior, the lead singer of The Cramps. (Holly remembers almost getting puked on by Lux Interior one night at CBGB's in New York). George-Warren's new book, A Man Called Destruction: The Life and Music of Alex Chilton, From Box Tops to Big Star to Backdoor Man, tells in detail Chilton's story of "rags to riches in reverse," beginning with a top of the Pops single at age 16 and ending with his leadership of the 70's pop group Big Star. Big Star never achieved great commercial success, but were widely respected by those in the music industry. In 1987, The Replacements even penned a song called "Alex Chilton" for their album Pleased to Meet Me.

Holly George-Warren has written for pretty much every music publication on the planet, including Rolling Stone, the New York Times, and the Village Voice. She's also the author of several books, including Public Cowboy No. 1: The Life and Times of Gene Autry.

Banner image: Mark Loete