 On March 17 , 2010 , Chilton suffered a fatal heart attack . He was pronounced dead on arrival at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans . Big Star had been scheduled to play at SXSW Music Festival that same week . The remaining members , joined by special guests original bassist Andy Hummel , M. Ward , Evan Dando , R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills , and Chris Stamey , staged the concert as a tribute to him . 
