A storied account of 70s Memphis power pop band Big Star, widely regarded as one of the greatest bands in rock history, and tragically little known in their day. “A boon to members of the Big Star cult.” — Hollywood Reporter
I never go far without a little Big Star.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2013
Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me 2012
The 70s Memphis power pop band Big Star is widely regarded as one of the greatest bands in rock history, which is poor consolation for being one of the most tragically unappreciated in their day. Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me traces the origins and history of the band from the late 60s when Alex Chilton, who had rocketed up the charts aged 16 as lead singer with The Box Tops, was already a jaded pop star at the age of 19. His collaboration with Memphis singer-songwriter-guitarist Chris Bell, produced their first album, #1 Record, in 1971. Despite disastrously inept marketing by Stax Records, there were to be two more records, but the band was to implode due to continuing commercial failure, personal differences and the tragic death of Bell in 1978 at the age of 27. Director Drew DeNicola knows his Big Star backwards. He has a profusion of great stories to offer, along with plentiful testimony to the legendary aggression of Chilton, the debilitating diffidence of Bell, and the lonely beauty of the music they began together with Big Star.