Chris Bell

Christopher Branford "Chris" Bell (January 12, 1951 – December 27, 1978).

Original line-up of Big Star. Chris Bell, second from left.

Career: musician. Cause of death: auto accident.

Chris Bell left Alex Chilton's power pop group Big Star in 1972, continuing to struggle with depression stemming partly from his repressed homosexuality and his dependence on heroin which he tried to deal with through a strong belief in Christianity. Neither of these three vices killed him, though.

Bell died in the middle of the night after he lost control of his Triumph TR-7 sports car on his way home from his father's restaurant in East Memphis, Tennessee. His car struck a wooden light pole on the side of the road, killing him instantly. The TR-7 is generally praised for its good handling, if suffering from slightly heavy turning. One can only speculate whether repression viz a viz homosexuality, heroin dependence, post-prandial slumber, or a misplaced belief in divine provenance are compounding factors in this accident.

Yonder TR7: good handling, chick magnet, but heavy on the wheel.

Bell's funeral, held the next day, was the birthday of former band mate Chilton, who as of 2010 is recently deceased. We looked very fine / As we were leaving. RIP.

Eye on the road, Bell.