Punk icon and dodgy insurance salesman Iggy Pop could be set to re-unite the famed Stooges line up who crafted the seminal 1973 album ‘Raw Power’.
The Stooges stand as one of the most influential rock bands of all time. The group’s brutal take on rock ‘n’ roll stood apart from their progressive peers, and they replaced the political agenda of fellow Detroit residents The MC5 with something more personal.
The band stumbled through two albums before collapsing after being dropped by Elektra. However Iggy Pop re-united the band with new guitarist James Williamson, before heading to England.
Playing a famously debauched showcase gig, the band began crafting ‘Raw Power’ with glam icon (and massive Iggy fan) David Bowie at the controls. Released in 1973, the album is as close to a definitive year zero for punk as ClashMusic can find – savage drums, unhinged guitars and outrageous vocals, you’ll find ’em all here.
The original line up of the Stooges reformed in 2004, with former Minutemen musician Mike Watt filling in on bass. However the band were rocked by the death of guitarist Ron Asheton earlier this year.
Iggy Pop could be set to continue with the band, but will focus on ‘Raw Power’ material. In an interview with The Australian the icon said “I had a meeting in LA last week with James (Williamson)”.
“It was the first time we had seen each other in 30 years. So we talked about doing something together. ‘Raw Power’ would be the repertoire.”
Referring to Asheton’s death, Iggy Pop said “there is always Iggy And The Stooges, the second growth of the band.”
Of course, there are other candidates to fill Ron Asheton’s shoes. The Sex Pistols covered numerous Stooges songs, with ‘No Fun’ being the last song the band’s original incarnation played together at San Francisco’s Winterland venue.
Speaking to NME after Asheton’s death, Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones said “if they wanna carry on, I’d gladly step into his shoes.”
“It’d be a laugh. You can put that out there. If they wanna carry on, I wouldn’t mind playing a bit of guitar.”
Iggy Pop also confirmed in the interview that Asheton had written six or seven tracks which were to have been recorded by The Stooges.
There has been no official announcement on the future of The Stooges.
