The album was hailed by critics and with its mixture of pop smarts and raw talent seemed very likely to be a commercial success. Tensions between Bell and Chilton led to Bell's departure. The lingering animosity resulted in Bell's refusal of any credit for his involvement in Big Star's 1974 album, Radio City . Bell would record ornate demos that eventually were collected and released posthumously as I Am the Cosmos . Bell was killed in a car accident in 1978.
Radio City crackles with enervated genius.
Commercially, the album fared poorly. Their 1978 recording, Third , also known as Sister Lovers , is a Big Star album in name only. It was recorded years before its release, with only Jody Stephens joining Chilton. Its baroque production and darkening lyrics showed Chilton giving up on Big Star and the band's prospects. Big Star's influence was felt on countless bands including the dBs, the Plimsouls, and, of course, the Posies.