 The frustration at # 1 Record 's obstructed sales contributed to tension within the band . There was physical fighting between members : Bell , after being punched in the face by Hummel , retaliated by smashing Hummel 's new bass guitar to pieces against the wall . Hummel took revenge at a later date : finding Bell 's acoustic guitar in the latter 's unattended car , he repeatedly punched it with a screwdriver . In November 1972 , Bell quit the band . When work continued on songs for a second album , Bell rejoined , but further conflict soon erupted . A master tape of the new songs inexplicably went missing , and Bell , whose heavy drug intake was affecting his judgment , attacked Fry 's parked car . In late 1972 , struggling with severe depression , Bell quit the band once more , and by the end of the year Big Star disbanded . 
