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Iggy Pop Talks Future of Stooges, Jazzy New Solo Album, “War Child” Disc

3/11/09, 12:09 pm EST

Photo: Hekimian/WireImage

Iggy Pop has puked on his audience, rolled around in broken glass and exposed himself to crowds. But on his new album, the 61-year-old rocker does something that may shock people — he sings in French. The Stooges frontman shows off his multilingualism On “Autumn Leaves,” a track off Préliminaires, due out May 19th. The record was inspired by French author Michel Houellebecq’s 2005 novel, The Possibility of An Island. “As I read scenes in the book, I felt music in my head,” says Pop, who also composed a score for the book’s forthcoming film adaptation. “I wrote less and less for the movie and started writing an alternative score to the novel.”

The disc — which features trombones and clarinets — lifts its sound from 1920s New Orleans. “We get dangerously near jazz,” says Pop, who cut tracks in Woodstock and Miami. “At first, I thought, ‘If I want to pee and I don’t do it with a sign that says Progenitor of Punk, people don’t want to know about it.’ Luckily, at this point in my life, I don’t care very much.”

In other Iggy news, the rocker recently nominated saucy electro provocateur Peaches to cover his “Search and Destroy” for War Child’s Heroes compilation, a charity disc for kids living in war-torn regions. “I get a big shot of pleasure every time I hear her music,” Iggy says of the Canadian singer, with whom he’s collaborated on several tracks in the past. “All the better since it was one of my songs.”

Pop — whose longtime Stooges bandmate, guitarist Ron Asheton, died in January — also hinted at the group’s future plans. “We have a large vault, and I’ve been fooling around with different ways to approach vocals,” he says. The band is also “developing something with a dramatic filmmaker,” but Iggy declined to elaborate. What about rumors that Sex Pistols‘ guitarist Steve Jones might join the Stooges? “I talked to Steve, and if I wanted an extra guitar, he’d be the guy to call,” says Iggy. “The group still exists. I’m not gonna tell you more than that.”

Related Stories:

Photo Gallery: The Stooges – Five Decades of Raw Power
The Rolling Stone Interview: Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop Remembers Stooges’ Ron Asheton In First Interview Since the Guitarist’s Death


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Comments

Craig Hlavaty | 3/11/2009, 12:22 pm EST

So they are going to go on without Ron?

I’m torn between aggravation and sadness.

But I’m sure Ron would’ve not wanted those songs to die with him. And getting younger dudes to play them live with the remaining Stooges can’t be so bad.

but,,,,,,,, | 3/11/2009, 2:22 pm EST

Iggy has made a career of surrounding himself with bitching musicians,,,,,,,Iggy could sing and perform the telephone book and it really would’nt matter. This dude rocks.

Aaron | 3/11/2009, 2:40 pm EST

It’s good to hear Iggy is doing fine. That’s pretty cool he’ll have a new album. As for the Stooges going on, that’s good to hear. I’m not much of an expert when it comes to Iggy but I’m sure Ron would’ve wanted them to go on. At this point, it’s only Iggy and Scott, Ron’s brother who are the original members. What about James Wilkson (I’m sure I’m wrong), the guy who played guitar on Raw Power?

Anonymous | 3/11/2009, 4:03 pm EST

I was a little pissed about the Stooges continuing without Ronnie, but of all people Steve Jones is someone I might be able to accept.

Kims Deeler | 3/11/2009, 5:06 pm EST

Nah Wilkinson died years ago. I was originally thinking the same thing.

Frosted Moses | 3/11/2009, 5:18 pm EST

That would be James WILLIAMson, and yes he’s happily still with us. Whether he’s up for more Stooge time, however, is not known.

killtheindustry | 3/11/2009, 6:03 pm EST

Sorry Iggy… if Williamson is not gonna rejoin the Stooges then just call Deniz Tek…. he’s the only the guitarist who will even come close.

And this time put some effort and blood on instead of phoning it in like on “The Weirdness”.

Stop screwing around … or just retire.

Lee Harvey | 3/11/2009, 7:46 pm EST

Anyone who saw the Stooges live in the past few years knows they can still deliver. I hope they get the right person and continue.

Harley | 3/11/2009, 8:41 pm EST

Yeah, Deniz Tek’s just the man for that job, but I believe that there’s some bad old blood between Iggy and the Radio Birdman crew, something about a gear robbery that Mr. Pop had something to do with…

Candy & Peaches | 3/11/2009, 8:57 pm EST

Iggy is all love and compassion.

killtheindustry | 3/11/2009, 10:17 pm EST

Wow did not know that bit of history about the Birdman – Pop saga … only about Asheton selling New Race outtakes to Revenge Records and pissing Tek off.

Saw both the Stooges and Birdman play Seattle… they all still have the fire.

RIP Ron Asheton… my personal guitar hero…. hard shoes to fill.

CR1ZZ | 3/11/2009, 11:04 pm EST

Iggy Pop is recording again! YES! Finally some real news on Rolling Stone! Not hugely fussed on whos doing the shredding with Iggy. As long as he does a full world tour and performs the great songs like ‘Lust for life’, (to name one), and the new stuff so long as it’s good, which it will be.
Just looking at that picture and he has’nt aged a day from what he was in the 60’s.

The Barman | 3/12/2009, 7:01 am EST

Sorry but the comment about there being a rift between Iggy and the Birdmen is nonsense.

Deniz is on great terms with Iggy, Scott’s a close friend. Ron was the godfather of one of his children.

Nor did Ron piss off Deniz by selling New Race outtakes. He upset Rob by giving unmixed tapes of the band to Revenge prior to the official album coming out. Rob still has the utmost respect for him as a guitarist.

dlt | 3/12/2009, 10:05 am EST

Yeah, Ron Asheton was/is a great guitarist. But Iggy performed for many years w/ out him. (Ever check out New Order, Destroy All Monsters–is there something by the Chosen Few?–some of Ron Asheton’s other bands?) Maybe they should nab James Willimson, do the Raw Power album, and the songs written between Funhouse and Raw Power.

I think the Weirdness was not enough jazz for some Stooge fans. Will they pooh pooh Iggy’s next solo (French) effort?

bob | 3/12/2009, 5:06 pm EST

Let me just say that the last 2 New York Stooges shows I wnet to were without a doubt the best 2 live shows I have ever seen (I’ve seen a few hundred). Iggy humped thw amps, dived into the crowd several times and the vocals were perfect. As for Ron… well I need not say that the riffs were FURIOUS. I was on stage with Iggy, beaten up by the bouncer and I couldn’t have had a better time. Anyone who was at the Highline and the Roseland knows what I’m talking about.

killtheindustry | 3/12/2009, 5:55 pm EST

Thanks for the clarification Barman…

I will venture to guess you are with I-94 Bar and if so you would know the real truth.

Have you heard any more about the release of the supposed Deniz Tek biography?

The Barman | 3/13/2009, 8:35 am EST

Haven’t heard any update killtheindustry except something is in the works.

Rob J | 3/13/2009, 11:49 am EST

Iggy has nothing left to prove. I saw The Stooges in concert in 2005,and it was THE greatest performance I have ever seen in my life. It was so good I actually stopped going to any more live shows for nearly three years. As for his new jazz influenced album, Ig has cited Coltrane, Sun Ra, Pharaoh Saunders and Sinatra as influences for many decades. After all, “We Will Fall” is based on the chords of Saunders’ “Upper And Lower Egypt” and “LA Blues” is pure Coltrane. The more open minded Stooges fan should not be surprised by this move. I wish him well……

stupid | 3/13/2009, 1:15 pm EST

I freak’n love you Iggy!!! You and your band(s) remind us what rock and roll is all about,,,,,,,,

di | 3/13/2009, 4:43 pm EST

I heard he was going to work with Jeff Beck next?

Karl | 4/12/2009, 1:38 pm EST

Deniz Tek would be a great creative force for the future of the Stooges.

jennefer osterhoudt | 4/18/2009, 1:46 pm EST

i think that James williamson has to step up and get back with stooges. its so lame that he went straight and is like a computer dude in silicon valley or something. please james williamson , please. it would be so cool.

jennefer osterhoudt | 4/18/2009, 1:46 pm EST

i think that James williamson has to step up and get back with stooges. its so lame that he went straight and is like a computer dude in silicon valley or something. please james williamson , please. it would be so cool.

jennefer osterhoudt | 4/18/2009, 1:46 pm EST

i think that James williamson has to step up and get back with stooges. its so lame that he went straight and is like a computer dude in silicon valley or something. please james williamson , please. it would be so cool.

ziggypopx | 4/26/2009, 9:55 am EST

” iggy sings in french !!!…” a surprise ??? maybe rolling stone needs to get people who are into iggy to write reveiws ?? the igster is a dabhand at speaking french..and has sung in french in the past…do your homework !!

Simon | 11/8/2009, 12:02 pm EST

I love Iggy and God bless him. I never question his musical choices because he and others (especially The Stooges) have given me so much enjoyment. Yes James Williamson a damn good writer and musician would be cool.

Anyway the last time I saw Iggy with the Stooges in Montreal 2008 I was amazed that this man at 61 can blow the shit out of people one-third his age like nothing.

Long may the Ig rock !

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