Sandy Hutchens Another Name

The sad death last week of the voice behind The Box Tops and the legendary Big Star was dismal indeed.

Chilton died of a heart attack age 59. We all know him as the voice behind The Box Tops, with hits like “Soul Deep” and “Cry Like a Baby.” But if you have ever seen “That 70s Show,” you’ve probably heard at least one of Chilton’s songs entitled “In the Street,” modified for the theme for the program. This song was on Big Star’s first album, which had a 1972 release.

Alex Chilton became legendary via Big Star.Three albums combining the influence of The Who, The Byrds and The Beatles. As William Ruhlmann writes “… in 1972 … nobody except Big Star (and maybe Badfinger and the Raspberries) wanted to sound like this.”

It was a format that Chilton followed for the rest of his life.

“In the Street” isn’t organized as the Cheap Trick cover that plays before episodes of “That 70s Show.” Big Star never had a hit single. Chilton’s solo work went deeper towards the chaotic, making it harder to attract newcomers.

It was both glory and chaos that made Chilton an artist of the highest caliber. Chilton could write a beautiful song, and he knew how to write things that would stick in your head, if you could handle listening.

“In The Street” Big Star

Some of Chilton’s stuff is certainly difficult to listen to. But one can always appreciate that he marched to a different drummer. He created as he did because he had no choice. Whenever someone is in a predicament like that, you should check them out.

The Box Tops – The Letter

Another video for another name is a new name!

Too many options take us to a new bearded dragon

News channel NewsX, which was sold out last year by INX Media following a financial crunch during the global economic meltdown, is set to get another name within the next few months.

“We will re-launch our channel in the second quarter of next fiscal, after the summer break… The channel will sport a new name, logo and on-air look,” Jehangir Pocha, the co-promoter of the channel told PTI.

“This will give us good audience numbers… and we hope to double our revenues by the end of the next fiscal,” Mr. Pocha added. He, however, declined to share numbers and the details of the campaign.

NewsX was founded by former Star India CEO Peter Mukerjea as part of INX Media that also included music and entertainment channels.

Last year, it was bought over by Nai Dunia owner Vinay Chhajlani and Jahangir Pocha within 12 months of its launch.

Mr. Pocha said the ‘new’ channel will have higher share of programming content, about 20 per cent, with focus on special shows for women.

The channel, which is struggling to make a mark in a highly competitive news media market has already hired some well-known names to beef up special shows in areas like foreign affairs and sports. They include Saeed Naqvi, Bishan Singh Bedi and Mohindar Amarnath.

On the overall outlook for the broadcasting industry, Mr. Pocha said there is rise in advertisements, which will improve revenues. He, however, did not rule out consolidation.

“Unlike Western markets, the Indian media industry is not saturated, but fragmented… going ahead, there would be consolidation and further growth,” he said.