There Was a Light

The Cosmic History of Chris Bell and the Rise of Big Star

By: Rich Tupica

Narrated by: Chris Abernathy

There Was a Light details the pop-culture phenomenon that made Big Star legendary and divulges how its staunch fan base saved the band from obscurity.

With Chris Bell at the center of the Big Star universe, this book carefully reveals the production of the band's masterful 1972 debut LP, #1 Record, for Ardent/Stax Records. Despite stellar reviews, the record suffered abysmal sales. Soon after, toxic personality conflicts and turmoil tore the band apart while Bell battled drug abuse and depression.

There Was a Light then delves into Big Star's second and third albums, while recounting Bell's second act as a struggling solo musician and born-again Christian. During several trips to Europe, he produced ambitious recordings and pitched himself to record labels - even crossing paths with Paul McCartney. From this fertile era arose Bell's lone solo album, the posthumously released I Am the Cosmos - his swan song and masterpiece.

©2020 Rich Tupica (P)2020 Tantor

A must read

If you are a big star fan, it’s a must. Cover all of Chris Bell, but also the entire history of Big Star as a whole.

Thank You, Friendz

At first, with the reader, I was sort of like, where did they find THIS guy — but I came around to his accent and delivery as being evocative of Memphis. I read somewhere that this book was for the converted and if you’re converted you’ll enjoy it — and that’s correct. And if you’re reading this review about a Chris Bell-focused Big Star oral history, what are you doing? Just click buy and enjoy.

Long live Big Star

There Was a Light is a great rock biography about Big Star. The title makes it seem as though it’s mostly focused on cofounder Chris Bell but it covers the career of Alex Chilton in equal measures. I sort of wish it had been more about Chris Bell because Alex Chilton has his own biography A Man Called Destruction. I’m a bigger fan of Chris Bell but can’t complain about the authors choice to cover both members. If you love Big Star or good rock biographies in general, then this is for you!

Big Star Forever!

It’s a mostly oral history of the band Big Star but it’s so much more. (I love their first two records.) This book goes everywhere it needs to to give you an understanding of the relations ships, the personalities, the struggles—so many great and touching anecdotes from people close to the group.