Alex Chilton, best known as a member of ‘60s pop-soul act the Box Tops and the ‘70s power-pop act Big Star, has died in New Orleans aged 59.

His Big Star bandmate Jody Stephens confirmed the news of Chilton’s death from Austin, Texas, where the band was set to play at the annual South By Southwest Festival. “Alex passed away a couple of hours ago,” Stephens said, “I don’t have a lot of particulars, but they kind of suspect that it was a heart attack.”

The Memphis-born Chilton first fame fame at 16, with the Box Tops massive hit The Letter. After the Box Tops ended in 1970, Chilton founded Big Star with songwriter/guitarist Chris Bell, bassist Andy Hummel and drummer Jody Stephens.

In 2003, all three Big Star albums – #1 Record, Radio City and Third/Sister Lovers – were included in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.