Iggy Pop is sometimes called the "godfather of punk". His original band, the Stooges, recorded only 3 records and they are 3 of the most classic of all rock and roll records (you won't hear them, or any of his other records, on the "classic rock" radio stations, though). He has continued to tour and release solo records since the Stooges broke up in 1973. My favorite Iggy Pop record is Zombie Birdhouse, an overlooked masterpiece. I saw him on the Zombie Birdhouse tour at the Sooner Theatre in Norman, Oklahoma. I got there a little late and found him involved in some sort of ugly interaction with the crowd, with insults and spit flying back and forth. He had a spikey haircut, died black. The show was awesome. The band took a break halfway through but the drummer kept playing, like a 15-minute solo. His records are produced by different people and all sound different.
I've seen him on Letterman several times. He was on with Steve Jones after Instinct. Dave bumped off the last guest to keep talking to Iggy. He was on again after Brick by Brick. He sang a song with his band (I think he also played guitar), then there was a commercial and Iggy was seated next to Dave. I was hoping for another long conversation. Dave said "Well Iggy, what have you been up to?" Iggy said, "Well I've been out in California and you know, just licking and sucking." Dave immediately responded with "Uh... well it looks like it's time for a commercial" and when they came back Iggy was gone. (Dave gets uncomfortable with certain kinds of language). He was on again on August 2, 2001 (reran 10/26/01), performing the opening song from Beat'Em Up, one of the wildest performances I've seen on the show. There wasn't much time to talk with Dave afterwards. Dave said "Good to see you, good to see you're still gettin' it done, my friend."
If you want to get a few Iggy records to check him out, I would say get at least one of the Stooges records, plus maybe the Idiot or Lust for Life, Brick by Brick or American Ceasar, Zombie Birdhouse and the newest one, Beat Em Up. Of course all of his records are essential for fans. Besides the regular releases listed below, there's plenty more - bootlegs, live records, etc. Other sites have giant lists. He also did the title track for Repo Man. The soundtrack is available on CD and includes lots of other cool music. He's been in a bunch of movies and there's a couple of autobiographical books. Check him out in the Jim Jarmusch film - Coffee and Cigarettes. Much more info on the sites below.
Links:
Raw Iguana I Need More Experimental Design
AllMusic Guide Listing Official Site - Virgin Records
iMusic Showcase Entry in alt.culture database
Webring list (The Ring of the Igguana) Iggy Photos
Kill City's Iggy Pop Page 2.13.61 2.13.61 - I Need More
The Records:
The Stooges (1969)
Ultraclassic. Produced by John Cale. Includes I Wanna Be Your Dog,
No Fun, Real Cool Time, Not Right.
Amazon
Funhouse (1970)
Another super-classic. Produced by Don Gallucci.
Amazon
Raw Power (1973)
And another super-classic, but the sound quality is kind of weird
(mixed by David Bowie and Iggy Pop). I think this has been reissued
with a different mix. Produced by Iggy Pop.
Amazon
The Idiot (1976)
Recorded in Berlin, produced by David Bowie, who also wrote all the songs.
Has the original version of China Girl, way better that Bowie's version, which
was a big hit later.
Amazon
Lust for Life (1977)
Produced by Bewlay Brothers. Recorded in Berlin with David Bowie.
Amazon
New Values (1978)
Produced by Jame Williamson. "I'm bored, I'm the chairman of the bored".
Amazon
Soldier (1980)
Produced by Pat Moran.
Amazon
Party (1981)
No one seems to like this one much, but there is some cool stuff on it,
like Pumpin' for Jill and the first song, Pleasure, featuring
the best use of horns in an Iggy Pop song.
Amazon
Zombie Birdhouse (1982)
Very interesting record! Super cool. Produced by Chris Stein.
Amazon
Blah Blah Blah (1986)
Produced by David Bowie and David Richards. Kind of a slick sound, but
some cool songs.
Amazon
Instinct (1988)
All the songs have a similar sound, kind of punk rock metal. Steve Jones is
the guitar player. Produced by Bill Laswell. USed to see this in the bargain bins
alot. May only be available as an import now.
Amazon
Brick By Brick (1990)
Produced by Don Was. Lots of variety. Excellent record. Kate from the B-52's
sings on Candy, which could have been a hit on the radio, if the
radio wasn't insane. Iggy plays some guitar on this record (and on the
next 3 also). The CD booklet is a cool fold-out poster by Charles Burns.
Amazon
American Caesar (1993)
Some of the wildest stuff since the Stooges. Very cool record.
Produced by Malcolm Burn.
Amazon
Naughty Little Doggy (1996)
Kicks off with I Wanna Live
followed by Pussy Walk. Produced by Thom Wilson and Iggy Pop.
Amazon
Avenue B (09/21/1999)
Produced by Don Was. Very introspective, not much wild rock and roll. There
is a cover of Shakin' All Over.
Amazon
Beat Em Up (07/17/2001)
Produced by Iggy Pop. Sounds great. Kicks right in. Maybe the best
Iggy Pop record since the Stooges.
Amazon
Skull Ring (11/04/2003)
Amazon
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Revised 09/11/05 All links verified 12/02/99