DOUG FIEGER (1952-2010), ALEX CHILTON (1950-2010)

Corren malos tiempos para el POWER POP, ya no sólo por que estos últimos meses no se están publicados discos dignos de ser destacados, también porque los grandes del género nos empiezan a abandonar.

El primero fue DOUG FIEGER, lider de THE KNACK, en el mes de febrero. Y ayer por la noche, nos dejaba ALEX CHILTON, uno de los pioneros del power pop a principios de los Setenta con su grupo BIG STAR, pero antes estaban los BOX TOPS y tampoco hay que menospreciar sus discos en solitario o sus trabajos para grupos como los Cramps o Tav Falco; además de haber influenciado a grupos favoritos míos como los Scruffs, los Replacements, Teenage Fanclub... la lista sería larguísima.


Dos formas distintas de entender el Power Pop, la de Doug Fieger y la de Alex Chilton, la de los Knack y la de Big Star. A los dos tuve la suerte de verlos en directo. A Alex Chilton en la Tropicana de León en un Purple Weekend a comienzos de la década del dos mil, y a los Knack también en un Purple Weekend hace tres años. Han muerto relativamente jóvenes, con 58 y 59 años. Eso sí, nos han dejado un buen puñado de canciones para disfrutar.

Los KNACK eran algo más que el "My Sharona":

Y tres de mis canciones favoritas de BIG STAR. Cuando se habla de artesanía POP es para referirse a canciones como estas. Después está el pop con minúsculas, los experimentos las moderneces, las estupideces, las heces.

"Thirteen", o como describir con sencillez lo que es el ROCK AND ROLL:

Won't you let me walk you home from school
Won't you let me meet you at the pool
Maybe Friday I can
get tickets for the dance
and I'll take you
Won't you tell your dad, "Get off my back"
Tell him what we said 'bout 'Paint It Black'
Rock 'n Roll is here to stay
Come inside where it's okay
And I'll shake you.
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of
Would you be an outlaw for my love
If it's so, well, let me know
If it's "no", well, I can go
I won't make you



"September Gurls" de la banda sonora de mi vida. Ufff!:

September gurls do so much

I was your butch and you were touched

I loved you well never mind

I've been crying all the time
December boys got it bad.

December boys got it bad.



September gurls I don't know why

how can I deny what's inside

even thought I keep away

maybe we'll love all our days.

december boys got it bad

december boys got it bad



When I get to bed

late at night

that's the time

she makes things right

ooh when she makes luv to me



September gurls do so much

I was your butch and you were touched

I loved you well never mind

I've been crying all the time

December boys got it bad.

december boys got it bad

december boys got it bad



La primera canción que escuché de BIG STAR, y claro... ya me enamoré para siempre. Piel de gallina. Sólo puedo decir que hoy el POP se ha quedado huérfano:

Years ago, my heart was set to live, oh
But i've been trying hard against unbelievable odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
My guns they're waiting to be stuck by
At my side is god

And there ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round

There's people around who tell you that they know
The places where they send you, and it's easy to go
They'll zip you up and dress you down
Stand you in a row
But you know you don't have to
You can just say no

And there ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round

I've been built up and trusted
Broke down and busted
But they'll get theirs and we'll get ours
Just if we can
Just, ah, hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

Years ago my heart was set to live, oh
But i've been trying hard against strong odds
It gets so hard at times like now to hold on
Well, i'll fall if i don't fight
And at my side is god

Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Ain't no one gonna turn me 'round
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on
Hold on

[alternate lines of last verse:]
Years ago i was all set to go
And i've been trying hard against long odds
It gets so hard at times like this to even hang around
I can either stand or fall
And i believe i'm gonna stand tall