Historical Figure
Iggy Pop
b. 1947
American rock musician (born 1947)
What do you want Iggy Pop to say?
Sign up free to hear it.
Hear the original recording — “MTV News Interview on David Bowie” (2016) →
Talk to Iggy Pop
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Biography
James Newell Osterberg Jr., known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor who was the lead vocalist of the proto-punk band the Stooges. Regarded as the "Godfather of Punk", he is noted for his outrageous and unpredictable stage antics, poetic lyrics, and unique voice. He was named one of the 50 Great Voices by NPR, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Stooges in 2010, and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 for his solo career.
Timeline
The story of Iggy Pop, told in moments.
Born James Newell Osterberg Jr. in Muskegon, Michigan. Grew up in a trailer park in Ypsilanti. His parents let him convert their master bedroom into a drum practice room. He took the name Iggy from his first band, The Iguanas.
The Stooges release their self-titled debut. It sells poorly. The sound is loud, primitive, and ten years ahead of punk. Ron Asheton's guitar, Iggy's howling. Rolling Stone gives it a bad review. The album becomes sacred later.
Raw Power comes out, mixed by David Bowie. The Stooges are falling apart. Iggy is deep into heroin. The band implodes after a legendarily chaotic show in Detroit where bikers throw bottles at the stage. He keeps playing.
Releases The Idiot, produced by David Bowie in West Berlin. They're roommates in Schoneberg, drying out together. "China Girl" appears on this album five years before Bowie records his own version. Lust for Life follows seven months later.
Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Stooges. He's 62 and still performing shirtless. The Stooges had been eligible since 1994 but were passed over repeatedly.
In Their Own Words (20)
Yeah, she's heard the war stories ... I tell it all to her. I think one has to, because one wants to know somebody, and one wants to feel that somebody knows one. I mean, the embarrassment quotient has been going down for a long time, and the fond amusement has been rising.
On discussing his past escapades with his girlfriend., 2003
As society has changed, what had formerly been unacceptable has become colorful, even the broken-glass thing. Although, you know, there's an archetypal element to that anyway. ... It's about the blood ... The Christians used that riff with Christ. What did Christ really do? He hung out with hard-drinking fishermen. And when they asked him, "Why are you hanging out with prostitutes and fishermen?" he said, "Because they need me." What a line, you know? But what your martial society really wants is blood. We need some blood. We need some suffering. Like, the individual must suffer for the good of the whole. I toy around with that. Early on, I wasn't looking at Jesus Christ, saying to myself, "What an angle." I wasn't trying to be Christ-y. But, after all, on one level, this is showbiz.
On his stage performances, including acts where he would crawl and roll on broken glass., 2003
I wore that because it makes me look beautiful. I stare at myself in the mirror and I think, "Wow, I'm really great-looking." ... I think I'm the greatest, anyway.
On wearing leotards and fishnet stockings in his early performances., 2003
I've never had any sort of macho revulsion of fags, but Bowie and I — never, never, never, never. Everybody would think that, but I never saw him be that way anyway. I'll tell you this. That guy got more p-u-s-s-y. I couldn't believe it. Talk about a bitch magnet. Damn! Actresses, heiresses, waitresses, skateresses. And me? I was just left holding my dick most of the time. I had this short haircut, and I looked like a duck. But I got lucky sometimes. I got a good song out of a girl I was knocking off at the time, and it became "China Girl."
On rumours that he and Bowie were lovers., 2003
If I don't terrorize, I'm not Pop.
An earlier statement, quoted in the article., 2003
Artifacts (15)
More from the Postwar
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Iggy Pop's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.