The Good, The Bad and The Unknown — This has been a weird year for music deaths.  It seems like there's a new death every couple weeks.  And it's not minor players or older musicians.  Each of them has been a pivotal member of their musical legacy.  Alex Chilton was Big Star. ... more info

Pop Candy — Last week I mentioned a Big Star/Alex Chilton tribute concert that was scheduled for May 15 in Memphis. Pop reader Sam Z. was among the attendees, and he says it was a night to remember: more info

VH1 News — Katy Perry's "California Gurls" is a nod to ... Big Star? Her manager suggested the spelling variation as a reference to Big Star's "September Gurls." more info

MTV.com News — Her manager suggested the spelling variation as a reference to Big Star's 'September Gurls.'By James Montgomery Katy Perry?s "California Gurls" Photo: Chelsea Lauren/ FilmMagic You might not realize it, what with the redonkulously catchy ch... more info

Guardian Music — This terrific new band's 70s-tinged rock recalls the best sounds of the pre-punk era, like Bolan bopping with Big StarHometown: Pittsburgh.The lineup: Nic Snyder (vocals, guitar and keyboards), Derek White (bass, vocals), Josh Sickels (drums).The bac... more info

The Music Fix — The Big Star wants to 'melt your popsicle' more info

Nialler9 — Kendal Johansson’s cover of Big Star’s ‘Blue Moon’ has been doing the blog rounds this week. Quite right too – it’s a cracker. Buy it from Sincerely Yours. more info

Pitchfork - Forkcast — Not much info out there on Sincerely Yours' latest artist, Kendal Johansson-- and that's not too surprising, considering how the folks at SY operate. What we do know: she's putting out a 7" next week featuring a cover of Big Star's "Blue Moon", and t... more info

Gorilla vs. Bear — Cover of Big Star's "Blue Moon," by new Sincerely Yours artist Kendal Johansson: ****** click through for more... more info

Guardian Music — These heavenly siblings make a spectral, even sepulchral, sound that could function effectively as alternative church musicHometown: Seattle, Washington.The lineup: Zach Tillman (vocals, guitar), Josh Tillman (drums), Joe Syverson (bass), Colin Wolbe... more info