As drummer for the legendary early '70s pop group Big Star, Jody Stephens possesses a glimmering reputation among pop aficionados. Less defensive about the legend of Big Star than lead vocalist and songwriter Alex Chilton, Stephens has become somewhat of an ambassador to those who are interested in the troubled and turbulent story of the short-lived group. The role of ambassador is an appropriate one as it was Stephens who remained with the erratic Chilton, playing drums and adding his own composition to the haunting Sister Lovers album, long after original members Chris Bell and Andy Hummell bailed out of the group. After the demise of Big Star Stephens stayed on at John Fry's Ardent Studios, where all three Big Star records were recorded, acting as a session drummer, producer and administrator for the successful studio. In recent years Stephens has added his superb power-pop drumming skills to the likes of Mathew Sweet and the Posies while helping to re-start the Ardent label. ~ Steve Kurutz, Rovi