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Iggy Pop Pays Tribute to The Stooges' Ron Asheton: "He Was My Best Friend"

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January 6, 2009 1:40 PM ET

The Stooges have released a statement following the death of guitarist and founding member Ron Asheton. "We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron's death. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed," reads the statement from Iggy Pop, Scott Asheton, Mike Watt and the band's management. "For all that knew him behind the facade of Mr. Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not.

"As a musician Ron was 'The Guitar God', idol to follow and inspire others. That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him," the statement continues. Iggy Pop adds, "I am in shock. He was my best friend." Asheton was found dead in his Ann Arbor, Michigan home this morning. He was 60.

In addition to bandmates and friends, fans have taken to the Web to pay tribute to the Detroit rocker. "The Stooges Funhouse album was, and is, the blueprint for how Detroit rock is supposed to be played. R.I.P. Ron," Joey writes on Rock Daily, while Craig Hlavaty adds, "The Stooges are my Beatles."

"The rawness and ferocity of his playing will remain unmatched till the end of the guitar," writes LoveTheSun. "The musical dynamite that you and the Stooges created will live on forever," promises Swingline. Many fans have announced their intention to celebrate Asheton's legacy by digging back into the Stooges' catalog.

Related Stories:
• Photo Gallery: The Stooges — Five Decades of Raw Power
• The Immortals: The Stooges by Thurston Moore
• The Stooges Back to Destroy
• Iggy and the Stooges Cause a Near Riot at Lollapalooza

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