April 25, 2010
Alex Chilton | “My Rival”
Video footage by William Eggleston, from “Stranded in Canton,” of Alex Chilton and Sid Selvidge playing “My Rival” in Memphis, TN, circa mid-1970s. Video property of the Eggleston Artistic Trust.
Stranded in Canton is the title given to multiple versions of compiled video footage shot by William Eggleston in 1973 and 1974. The Alex Chilton segment does not appear in any of the recently edited versions shown in public; I’ve read that Chilton, like many of those captured in Stranded, did not like the way he looked in the footage and refused permission to include it.
Alex Chilton died on March 17 at the age of 59. Not long after, the Eggleston Trust released this footage. It makes for a heartbreakingly lovely tribute; I only this morning discovered it.
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59 is way too young, or I’m counting the days!
Lovely footage – I have odd feelings about releasing something that was objected to in the subject’s lifetime. I’m glad it was, but, well, you know. I’m sure he’s cool about it as he looks down or up.
I know, Phil. It is something I have struggled with as an archivist — the wishes of the creator or the subject of a ‘document’ to withhold versus the desires of others to reveal and share. I suspect that in this instance, as in most, it is complicated and that what little I have read is but partial truth. I gather there was some disagreement over use of the footage between Chilton and Eggleston’s son Winston, who administers the Eggleston Trust. Hell, who knows?
But I like to think that all is forgiven.
OMG, he’s beautiful!
Isn’t he, Cece? Just breaks my damn heart.
(Yesterday I saw part of the current ‘official’ version of Stranded as part of a video installation at the Eggleston retrospective that is now at the Art Institute of Chicago. As it was, tears were falling. If the Chilton segment had been included, I would have been even more of a wreck.)
I just lost a longish comment, no matter. Suffice it to say, Phil, 59 is too young and if that is the future, I’m counting the days right there with you, buddy.
Then to Sheila, I asked something like, “What artist has control of his leavings, after s/he leaves?” I was thinking of Rothko. Are the pieces he wouldn’t sell to hang in the restaurant of the Seagram’s building, now hanging there, having been finally sold by the heirs. Is there a master negotiator working for some major publisher, plying Salinger’s heirs with all manner of good, good, shit to land that account?
Such a good question, Rick. And thank you, Phil, for sparking it.
(And thank you, Cece, for sharing your appreciation! Somehow I am not surprised.)
He looks that way and sounds that way and he didn’t want anyone to see it. Like he didn’t have any idea. That makes me want to cry.
Going by all I’ve ever read, he was a mercurial guy.
Speaking of all I’ve ever read, this piece by Keith Spera of the Times-Picayune seems quite a good sketch of Chilton.
Yeah, he was probably just being pissy. I’m still glad it’s out now!
Being pissy is such a hurt. One of the hurtfullest things there is. I try to snap my wrist with a rubber band when I catch myself being pissy. Maybe one day I’ll learn.
I usually am told I am being persnickety when I’m in a mood, which is a little easier to hear. But both the p’s are an improvement over pouting, withdrawing and flat out running. If you feel me. And I know you do.
I like the rubber band idea and am going to put one on my wrist now. To deal with the “p” problem.
Pop!
And — oh. Yeah. This footage. And what I saw of additional Stranded in Canton footage yesterday in Chicago. It is the real true genuine version of the craptacular *H*A*U*N*T*E*D* videos of ostensibly paranormal beings that you see on the teevee. Eggleston used a mechanical medium to capture spirits, and he succeeded.
Does one of the films include a cameo by Jerry McGill, the piano man/bank robber? They’re roaming around the South acting crazy/high? And his mother lectures him “is he drunk? Do we need to feed him?” That kind of thing?
Cece, I did not see all of the current version of Stranded in Canton, but what I did see included much drunkenness, craziness, and highness. And piano playing.
At the end of the hour-plus home video I saw, McGill, who played guitar for Waylon Jennings, sang a song and then one of Egg’s friends was carrying on about something. And McGill took out one of the several guns he carried as a rule or had a girlfriend stash for him and fired it into the air several times. Completely unstaged, just, you know, life as usual for that era-place. Everyone was frozen — my God he’s going to shoot the man or somebody. Unforgettable. Oh, and it was Egg’s cousin doing the lecturing not his mother. I’m going to find the link. You will love it.
And, btw, when he captured spirits as you mentioned, are we talking ghost ghosts here?
Fuckmerunning, yes! I know I will love it.
(But I was not talking ghost ghosts. Spirits. Vibrations.)
For Shelia: Enjoy!
http://thehoundblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/stranded-in-canton-egglestons-harrowing.html
Fuck. Me. Running.
Ditto that!
Except for the scene with the “geeks” and the chickens. Don’t watch that.
Aw, I’ve seen the geek scene. Ain’t skeered of no geeks. Seen me some geeks in my time.
Actually, that’s not true. I’ve not seen a live geek show. But I have seen me some live freak shows (literally — in a tent — on a midway) that would give most folks a shudder. Gave me a shudder.
Be nice. Be real nice.