Memphis Power Pop Mainstay Tommy Hoehn Dies at 55

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From Bob Mehr‘s article in The Commercial Appeal:

Memphis musician and power-pop scene staple Tommy Hoehn has died.

Hoehn, known for his solo work and collaborations with Big Star members Alex Chilton and Chris Bell, had been battling cancer for the past year. The 55-year-old Hoehn died on Thursday night [June 24, 2010] at Methodist University Hospital.

In recent months Hoehn had been working on a new project, gathering together a mix of older material and fresh recordings. He had also been scheduled to take part in the Big Star/Alex Chilton tribute at the Levitt Shell last month, but his worsening condition precluded an appearance.

“He was brilliant, one of those people who was a total natural, naturally gifted,” said his friend and frequent musical foil, Van Duren. “Tommy was a really unique and terrific singer, a guitarist and a great keyboard player, and completely self-taught. He appreciated music — all kinds of music.”

Raised in Memphis, Hoehn began playing in high school garage bands with future Scruffs leader Stephen Burns.

Leading the second wave of Memphis power pop in the mid-’70s, Hoehn became a fixture at Midtown’s Ardent Studios.

Hoehn would sing background on Big Star’s seminal Third/Sister Lovers album, and collaborate with band founders Chilton and Bell. “He was always a very easygoing and lighthearted person,” said Ardent owner John Fry. “The sessions that I remember with Tommy were always fun and upbeat.”

Hoehn’s solo career kicked off with a much-revered single, “Blow Yourself Up,” in 1975. He followed that up with a pair of late-’70s LPs, Spacebreak and Losing You to Sleep for the Powerplay and London Records labels, which captured his love for the work of Paul McCartney and Todd Rundgren.

Although his albums never achieved much mainstream notice, Hoehn was beloved among critics and fellow artists. “He was best known to other musicians, and had that cult following,” said Fry.

Hoehn continued releasing records into the early 1980s before going on a long professional hiatus, living in Nashville for a time.

Returning to Memphis in the mid-1990s, Hoehn made a musical comeback as well with a pair of solo records, and later teamed up with fellow pop maven Duren.

Hoehn is survived by his wife, Erin Galtelli-Hoehn; three children from his second marriage: Forbes, Tristan and Elizabeth; his mother, Dianna Fisackerly; sisters Debra Hoehn and Linda Hoehn; and a brother, Tim Hoehn.