Big Star's Andy Hummel Dies at 59

BY Jason SchreursPublished Jul 20, 2010

Only four months after the death of Big Star's Alex Chilton, more sad news from the band's camp today as former bassist/songwriter Andy Hummel has also passed away.

LA Weekly reports that Hummel has died at the age of 59 after a two-year battle with cancer. A spokesperson from Rhino Records, who recently released a Big Star box set, has also confirmed Hummel's death to EW. Hummel reportedly died on Monday (July 19) in Weatherford, TX.

Hummel was a huge part of Big Star, who were well known for their power pop sound as well as for being the subject of a classic, heartfelt song penned by the Replacements' Paul Westerberg, entitled "Alex Chilton." Hummel was especially instrumental to the band during the recording of their second album, 1974's Radio City.

Big Star began in 1971, but only last three short years before breaking up after their sophomore effort. The band reformed with a new lineup in 1994 that did not include Hummel. He did, however, return to playing Big Star songs during a recent tribute concert to Chilton, and appeared on a SXSW panel just days after Chilton died.

The news of Hummel's death first broke via Posies frontman Ken Stringfellow's Twitter. Stringfellow played with Big Star during their second incarnation.

Funeral services for Hummel are scheduled to take place in Weatherford on Wednesday (July 21).

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