Instead, he is mourning his friend and bandmate Alex Chilton,who died yesterday.
It took me completely by surprise, Stephens said this afternoon, over the phone from Austin, Texas.
I saw Alex in November and he looked great.
Alex was doing wonderfully.
Yesterday, I get a call from his wife and, you know, hes passed away.
I spent the rest of the day and this morning just feeling numb.
You really have to bare yourself emotionally to be in a band.
And when you do that, it opens up stronger bonds.
Theres a profound relationship.
There has been this outpouring, he revealed.
It means a lot.
Stephens also confirmed that Saturdays Big Star show will go ahead in some form or other.
And that, to me.
is the important thing.
I had this great sibling feel with Alex.
Its not like we talked a lot, but we had this wonderful connection onstage.
More on Alex Chilton:
Alex Chilton: The House of Representatives pays tribute
Alex Chilton, R.I.P.
