Iggy Pop

Iggy Pop

James Newell Osterberg Jr., professionally known as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, musician, songwriter, actor, and radio broadcaster, born on April 21, 1947. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the proto-punk band The Stooges, formed in 1967. Pop has been dubbed the "Godfather of Punk" and was named one of the 50 Great Voices by NPR.
The Stooges, while initially playing a raw and primitive style of rock and roll, gained notoriety for their confrontational performances, often involving acts of self-mutilation by Pop. Despite limited commercial success during their original run, The Stooges left a significant impact on the music scene.


Pop had a close collaborative relationship with David Bowie, particularly during the 1970s. They worked together on albums like "The Idiot" and "Lust for Life," with Pop contributing lyrics and Bowie providing musical direction. Pop's solo career, which began in earnest with these collaborations, showcased his poetic lyrics, distinctive voice, and unpredictable stage antics.


Throughout his career, Pop's music has spanned various genres including garage rock, punk rock, hard rock, heavy metal, art rock, new wave, grunge, jazz, blues, and electronic. He is known for hits like "Lust for Life," "The Passenger," and "Real Wild Child (Wild One)," as well as his influence on artists across different musical styles.


Despite not achieving widespread commercial success, Pop has maintained a strong cultural presence and continues to be revered as an icon and influence in the music industry. His work with The Stooges and his solo career have left an indelible mark on rock and roll history, inspiring generations of musicians across diverse genres.


James Newell Osterberg Jr., better known as Iggy Pop, was born on April 21, 1947, in Muskegon, Michigan. His parents were Louella and James Newell Osterberg Sr. His father was an English teacher and baseball coach at Fordson High School in Dearborn, Michigan. Iggy Pop has a diverse ancestry, including English, German, Irish, Danish, and Norwegian heritage.


During his upbringing, the family resided in a trailer park in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Iggy's interest in music began early, and he started playing drums in the fifth grade. His parents supported his musical endeavors wholeheartedly, even to the extent of sacrificing their own bedroom to accommodate his drum set.


Despite growing up in relatively modest circumstances, Iggy had a supportive and nurturing environment at home. He described how his parents invested in him emotionally and materially, allowing him to explore his interests freely. This support played a significant role in his development as a musician and artist.

James Newell Osterberg Jr., later known as Iggy Pop, embarked on his music career as a drummer in various high school bands in Ann Arbor, Michigan. One of these bands was The Iguanas, which covered songs like Bo Diddley's "Mona" in 1965. This early experience with music laid the foundation for his future endeavors.


Osterberg's musical journey led him to explore local blues-style bands like the Prime Movers, where he joined forces with Dan and Michael Erlewine at the age of 18. It was during his two-year tenure with the Prime Movers that Osterberg earned the nickname "Iggy," derived from his earlier involvement with The Iguanas. This period proved formative for him, exposing him to new ideas in art, politics, and experimentation.


Seeking to deepen his understanding of blues music, Osterberg left the University of Michigan and relocated to Chicago. There, he immersed himself in the city's blues scene, honing his skills as a drummer in blues clubs. His connections with Sam Lay, a former member of the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, facilitated his entry into the Chicago music scene.


Inspired by the Chicago blues scene and influenced by bands like The Sonics, MC5, and The Doors, Osterberg formed The Psychedelic Stooges. The band, comprising Osterberg on vocals, Ron Asheton on guitar, Scott Asheton on drums, and Dave Alexander on bass, marked the beginning of Iggy Pop's journey as a frontman. Their inaugural performance took place at a Halloween party in Detroit, Michigan, where members of the MC5 were also present.


Osterberg's admiration for Ron Asheton's musical prowess, coupled with Asheton's rugged appearance, solidified their collaboration. Osterberg's striking resemblance to a local character named Jim Popp earned him the moniker "Pop" from his bandmates. This marked the inception of Iggy Pop's iconic persona and the beginning of The Stooges' legendary career in rock music.


The development of Iggy Pop's iconic stage persona can be traced back to his experiences witnessing the performances of influential musicians like Jim Morrison of The Doors. Pop attended two concerts by The Doors in 1967 at the University of Michigan, where he was captivated by Morrison's stage antics and confrontational style. Morrison's uninhibited behavior, coupled with the band's rising popularity, inspired Pop to explore the boundaries of stage performance and push the envelope with his own band, The Stooges.


Reflecting on Morrison's performance, Pop expressed admiration for the singer's audacity and the reactions he elicited from the audience. The confrontational nature of Morrison's stage presence resonated deeply with Pop, fueling his determination to make a similar impact with his own music. Witnessing The Doors' success despite their provocative performances served as a catalyst for Pop to fully embrace his artistic aspirations and take his band's stage presence to new heights.


Pop's encounter with an all-girls rock band called The Untouchable from Princeton, New Jersey, further solidified his commitment to his musical journey. Impressed by The Untouchable's electrifying performance, Pop and his bandmates recognized the potential of their own music and felt inspired to elevate their own sound and stage presence.


In 1968, The Stooges, formerly known as the Psychedelic Stooges, signed with Elektra Records, following in the footsteps of The Doors, who were Elektra's biggest act at the time. The band's debut album, "The Stooges," produced by John Cale, failed to garner significant commercial success. However, they continued to evolve their sound with their follow-up album, "Fun House," produced by Don Gallucci. Despite initial sales struggles, "Fun House" eventually received critical acclaim and was recognized as one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone.


Unfortunately, Pop's worsening heroin addiction led to the disbandment of The Stooges shortly after the release of "Fun House." Despite this setback, the impact of The Stooges' music and Pop's stage presence continued to resonate with audiences and influence generations of musicians across various genres.

References

1.  "The Stooges Reuinion at Coachella 2003". iggypop.org. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
2. ^ "But somewhere between his last album, "Naughty Little Doggie", and his latest one, "Avenue B", the godfather of punk turned 50 ...", in Christman, Ed (August 7, 1999), "Iggy Pop opens a 'window into the soul' on Virgin's contemplative 'Avenue B'", Billboard, vol. 111, p. 14, ISSN 0006-2510
3. ^ "Looking remarkably healthy for a man who nurtured a world-class drug habit for many years, the "Godfather of Punk" Iggy Pop is set to close the Other Stage on Saturday night." in "Godfather of punk still has lust for life", Western Daily Press, p. 30, June 5, 2007
4. a b "Iggy Pop, Public Enemy & More to Receive 2020 Lifetime Achievement Awards From the Recording Academy". Billboard. December 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
5. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Stooges biography". AllMusic. Retrieved July 15, 2015.
6. ^ Harness, Jill (March 9, 2009). "Music Tidbits: Iggy Pop – Neatorama". Neatorama. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
7. ^ "Iggy Pop Biography | Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2014.