[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-eVsH49_2U[/youtube] OffBeat’s Best of the Beat is Friday night at Generations Hall, and we’re pleased to pay tribute to the late Alex Chilton at the show this year. Chilton alumni Rene Coman and Doug Garrison of the Iguanas will anchor the tribute with Alex McMurray and guests Dave Pirner, Susan Cowsill, Theresa Andersson, Davis Rogan and the Lost Bayou Ramblers’ Louis Michot to play music from Chilton’s time with the Box Tops, Big Star, and on his own. Another Chilton alum, sax player Jim Spake, is coming to town to be a part of the show as well. Here’s a video shot by photographer William Eggleston in the 1970s of Chilton singing “My Rival” with Sid Selvidge.

Tickets to the Best of the Beat are on sale now.

And as a video bonus, Yo La Tengo will be at Tipitina’s Saturday night. Here’s Alex Chilton with Yo La Tengo doing the Velvet Underground’s “Femme Fatale.”
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Ac_rTU62c[/youtube]