Chris Bell ‘I Am The Cosmos’ 50th anniversary tribute show poster (2024)

 

This one still feels like a dream to me. I have a deep, almost spiritual connection with Big Star, and Chris Bell in particular.

I rarely have time to play around with fan art, but wanted to experiment with some techniques so I illustrated a similar version of this image. When shared it online, Rich Tupica, author of the Chris Bell biography, saw it, loved it and shared it with the Bell family. 
By chance, it was the 50th anniversary of the recording of Bell’s posthumously released classic album, I Am The Cosmos.
Soon, I was in contact with Chris’ niece, and putting together promotional material for a tribute show, including this poster. 
I accepted the gracious invitation to attend the concert and made the pilgrimage to Memphis, met (and stayed with) Chris’ niece Brittain and her family, his brother David, along with last surviving Big Star member Jody Stephens and Bell’s longtime friend and fellow musician Van Duren. 
It was an experience that will stay with me.