Iggy Pop | Artist

James Newell Osterberg Jr. aka Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, producer and actor born 1947 in Muskegon, Michigan. In 1968 Iggy formed The Psychedelic Stooges with Ron and Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander. The Stooges went on to make several classic proto-punk albums with the charismatic Iggy up-front. Initially playing a raw, primitive style of rock and roll that progressed stylistically with each album, the band sold few records in their day and gained a reputation for their confrontational performances, which often involved acts of self-mutilation by the singer. He met David Bowie in 1975 starting a lasting collaboration which came to fruition with Pop's excellent first solo album The Idiot released in 1977. Bowie produced and played on The Idiot and the equally good follow-up Lust For Life (1977). Other standout albums include Kill City (1977) with James Williamson, plus New Values (1979), American Caesar (1993), and Post Pop Depression (2016). Throughout his early career Pop was unable to control his drug use and eventually checked himself into a mental institution, the UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, to try to clean up. David Bowie was one of his few visitors, continuing to support his friend and collaborator. In 1976, Bowie took Pop as his companion on the Station to Station tour. This was Pop's first exposure to large-scale professional touring, and he was impressed, particularly with Bowie's work ethic. Following a March 21, 1976, show, Bowie and Pop were arrested together for marijuana possession in Rochester, New York, although charges were later dropped. Bowie and Pop relocated to West Berlin to wean themselves off their respective drug addictions. "Living in a Berlin apartment with Bowie and his friends was interesting…" Pop recalled. "The big event of the week was Thursday night. Anyone who was still alive and able to crawl to the sofa would watch Starsky & Hutch". Despite Iggy's limited commercial success, he has become both a cultural icon and a significant influence on a wide range of musicians in numerous genres. The Stooges' classic album Raw Power influenced generations of aspiring rock and punk bands. Pop's solo album The Idiot has been cited as a major influence on a number of post-punk, electronic and industrial artists including Depeche Mode, Nine Inch Nails and Joy Division.

Artist Website: iggypop.com

Featured Albums: Iggy Pop

Related Artists: Iggy Pop & James Williamson, The Stooges, David Bowie