Iggy Pop (52 page)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

It seems to be a writers’ convention to open acknowledgements with fulsome praise of agent and editor, and this is a convention I’m happy to adhere to. I had embarked on an Iggy biography more than ten years ago, before joining the staff of
MOJO
, and it was Julian Alexander, subsequently my agent, who singlehandedly re-fired my enthusiasm, and then, along with Celia Hayley, helped hone my ideas into a book that was far more intriguing than the project I’d abandoned a decade before. Antonia Hodgson, of Little, Brown/Sphere, and Gerry Howard, at Random House in New York, both grasped what this book was about, seemingly instantaneously; I count myself privileged to have worked with both of them. Barbara Henry, the wife of Ann Arbor High student George, unlocked a huge resource, presiding over an effort that tracked down around five hundred of Jim Osterberg’s high-school contemporaries. Attending their reunion, and speaking to dozens of people who knew Jim as a boy, gave me an invaluable insight into his upbringing and also enabled me to track down other crucial contacts, notably Jim’s first girlfriends. Dale Withers Peck provided great company at the reunion. Don Swickerath, one-time bassist of the Iguanas, is a delightful gentleman with whom I spent many happy evenings; he also gave me the use of a house in Ann Arbor on one of my first trips, and I will be forever in his debt. Scott Morgan was a great source, and I spent a terrific day with him touring the city’s rock ’n’ roll haunts, including the ten-foot bridge where Scotty trashed the Stooges’ van, and the armoury where an entire generation of Ann Arbor musicians fagged out of the draft. Robert Matheu was a mine of information and great company; he took me on a rock ’n’ roll tour of LA (in a convertible, natch); Tony and Gretchen Horkins were also invaluable friends to me on my stay in LA. Thanks to Carl Glover and Christine Bone for the albums and the tolerance; Keith Cameron and Andrew Perry for their thoughts on grunge; all the staff of
MOJO
magazine, especially Jenny Bulley, Danny Eccleston, Andrew Male and Phill Kalli for their constant assistance and patience; Barry Andrews and Marilyn Fitzgerald for a pleasant summer barbecue. Clare Hulton first suggested writing an Iggy book many years ago; Cliff Jones was my collaborator on that first venture and on my first
MOJO
feature on Iggy; we spent many long hours discussing Iggy and his work, all of which has helped inform this book. Nick Kent and Ben Edmonds are the two writers who’ve consistently shown the most insight into Iggy and the Stooges; they were unfailingly generous with their help. Historical research on James Osterberg Sr’s background was carried out by Al Hahn.

Kat Johnson transcribed literally hundreds of thousands of words of interviews. Per Nilsen supplied his records of Stooges gigs and other information, which was of great help in establishing the timeline of several crucial events. Per also read through an early manuscript, making useful suggestions and correcting several errors. Loren Dobson provided invaluable suggestions and corrections. Esther Friedmann provided a wealth of information; Florian Feineis kindly let me use his apartment during my stay in Frankfurt. I should also thank my schoolfriend Nick Hunter, who brought home a cut-out copy of
The Stooges
when we were fifteen.

Although this is in no respect an official or authorised biography, I must sincerely acknowledge the assistance given by James Osterberg Jr and his manager Henry McGroggan. In several instances, where potential interviewees asked if he approved of their speaking to me, Jim Osterberg not only gave his approval, but actively encouraged them to speak; in particular, he gave me written permission to interview his psychiatrist from NPI, Dr Murray Zucker, an example of openness that is without precedent in my (interminable) experience of working with rock stars and their courtiers. At no point did he or his associates attempt to exert any influence on this book. I have enjoyed my visits to his turbulent, intriguing life and hope I’ve done it justice. Thanks to Iggy Pop, the Stooges and his other musicians for the pretty music. And my enduring gratitude to Curtis and Lucy for their inspirational support, tolerance and lust for life.

Other crucial sources of help were Robert Altman, Simon Bentley, Rodney Bingenheimer, Johnny Black, Joolz Bosson, Dave Brolan, Duane Brown, David Buckley, Paul Burgess, Garth Cartwright, Sharon Chevin, Rick Conrad, Richard Deakin, Loren Dobson, Clarence ‘Rusty’ Eldridge, David Fricke, Christophe Geudin, Pat Gilbert, Holly Givens, Robert Gordon, Marcus Gray, Julie Hooker, Barney Hoskyns, Jayne Houghton, Mick Houghton, Russell Hunter, Bill Inglot, Mike Kappus, Stuart Kirkham, Bobbie Lam, Patti Maki, Ann McArtor, Margaret Moser, Dennis Muirhead, Kris Needs, Nite Bob, Mark Paytress, Jeremy Pierce, Ira Robbins, Johnny Rogan, Tricia Ronane, Carlton P. Sandercock, Lynn Seager, Joel Selvin, Sylvia Skelton, Dave Thompson, Don Waller, Holly George Warren, Alex Wende, Lois Wilson, Bob Young and Marc Zermati.

Special thanks go to all my interviewees. Many of them submitted to repeated interviews and email queries, and most submitted to this pseudo-stalking with unfailing patience. In some cases interviewees are not directly quoted in the book, but all of them provided crucial help. They are: John ‘Twink’ Alder, Janie Allen, Carlos Alomar, Barry Andrews, Mike Andrews, Pete Andrews, Kevin Armstrong, Kathy Asheton, Ron Asheton, Scott Asheton, Robert Ashley, Hugh Attwooll, Evita Ardura, Jim Avery, Jay Babcock, Hiawatha Bailey, John Baird, Bob Baker, Michael Bartus, Roberta Bayley, Seamus Beaghen, Leo Beattie, Johnny Bee, Rodney Bingenheimer, Al Blixt, Richard Bosworth, Dan Bourgoise, Angie Bowie, Joel Brodsky, Freddie Brooks, Duane Brown, Bebe Buell, Clem Burke, Mary Booth Calder, John Cale, Keith Cameron, Joan Campbell, Ed Caraeff, Dan Carlisle, Bob Carow, Jim Carpenter, Patricia Carson Celusta, Bill Cheatham, Leee ‘Black’ Childers, Bill Coleman, Don Collier, Jayne County, Hal Cragin, Doug Currie, François De Menil, Jannie Densmore, Liz Derringer, Rick Derringer, Michael Des Barres, Pam Des Barres, Wolfgang Diebeling, Dennis Diekman, Richard Dishman, Sigrid Dobat, Richard Dorris, Johnny Drake, Dave Dunlap, Rob Duprey, Ben Edmonds, Robin Eggar, Clarence ‘Rusty’ Eldridge, Luke Engel, Dan Erlewine, Joan Erlewine, Michael Erlewine, Tina Fantusi, Mick Farren, Fayette (the Cockettes), Olivier Ferrand, Danny Fields, Pete Fink, Ted Fosdick, Kim Fowley, Charles ‘Black’ Francis, Dennis Frawley, Esther Friedmann, Rick Frystack, Don Gallucci, Ricky Gardiner, Thom Gardner, Pleasant Gehman, Russ Gibb, Skip Gildersleeve, Dana Gillespie, Brian Glascock, Jeff Gold, Lynn Goldsmith, Tarquin Gotch, Gary Grimshaw, Bob Gruen, Jason Guy, Bob Hallock, Steve Harris, Nigel Harrison, Kathy Heller, Ricky Hodges, Jeep Holland, Jac Holzman, Peter Hook, Julie Hooker, Pat Huetter, Ron Ideson, Frank Infante, Brian James, Nancy Jeffries, Sherry and Bob Johnson, Brad Jones, Lenny Kaye, Andrew Kent, Nick Kent, Dan Kett, Francie King, Bill Kirchen, Whitey Kirst, Erdal Kizilcay, Lynn Klavitter, Annie Klenman, Cub Koda, Bob Koester, Nick Kolokithas, Esther Korinsky, Ivan Kral, Barbara Kramer, Wayne Kramer, Klaus Kruger, Harvey Kubernick, Bill Kurtz, Bobbie Goddard Lam, Sally Larcom, Bill Laswell, Sam Lay, Jenny Lens, Dave Leone, Charles Levison, Lonnie, Dayna Louise, Steve Mackay, Lori Maddox, Gerard Malanga, Andrew Male, John Mann, Ray Manzarek, Dave Marsh, Pete Marshall, Carol Martin, Robert Matheu, Glen Matlock, Nancy McArtor, Maria McCormack, Nancy McCrado, Jim McLaughlin, John McLaughlin, John Mendelssohn, Lewis Merenstein, Eduard Meyer, Arjay Miller, Connie Miller, Rumi Missabu, Philippe Mogane, Scott Morgan, Margaret Moser, Larry Mullins, Laurence Myers, Jon Newey, Kuelan Nguyen, Nite Bob, Ric Ocasek, Richard Ogden, Denny Olmsted, Jim Osterberg, Hugh Padgham, Mike Page, Phil Palmer, Mark Parenteau, Jim Parrett, Phast Phreddie Patterson, Steve Paul, Cynthia Payne, Dale Withers Peck, Randy Poole, Gary Quackenbush, Sharon Ralph Gingras, Joan Raphael, Ron Richardson, Scott Richardson, Lisa Robinson, Mick Rock, Michael Royster, Andrew Sacks, Hunt Sales, Tony Sales, Eric Schermerhorn, Natalie Schlossman, Rachel Schreiber, Roy Seeger, Joel Selvin, Robert Sheff (aka ‘Blue’ Gene Tyranny), Vivian Shevitz, Jimmy Silver, John Sinclair, Leni Sinclair, David Stopps, Robert Stotts, Mim Streiff, Don Swickerath, Sam Swisher, Laura Taylor, Laurent Thibault, Dennis Thompson, Scott Thurston, Michael Tipton, Jaan Uhelszki, Gary Valentine, Cherry Vanilla, Tony Visconti, Jimmie Wade, Jeff Wald, Mike Wall, Don Waller, Sandra Ward, Don Was, Anne Wehrer, Joseph Wehrer, Dana Whipple, Bill Williams, James Williamson, Irvin Wisniewski, Janet Withers, Charlotte Wolter, Ygar of Zolar X, Tony Zanetta, Marc Zermati, Glenn Ziegler and Murray Zucker.

INDEX

A&M records

‘Absolute Beginners’

AC/DC

Academy of Music, NY

Action, Rock
see
Asheton, Scott

Adams, John (‘the Fellow’)

Adamson, Barry

Adverts

Aerosmith

‘Again And Again’

‘Ah-Moon’s Café’

Aladdin Sane
(Bowie album)

Albini, Steve

Alejandra (girlfriend)

Alexander, Dave (Dude Arnet): drops out of high school; in Dirty Shames; and formation of Stooges ; and LSD; interest in mysticism and the occult; at debut party; bass playing ; and Iggy’st birthday ; and Iggy’s first marriage ; as co-creator of Iggy Pop ; withdrawn nature; sacked by Iggy; visits Stooges’ rehearsals; death ; remembered at reunion

Alomar, Carlos

alter ego, concept of

Alu, Nina

‘Ambition’

American Caesar
(Iggy Pop album)

American Legion’s Boys’ State program

Andrews, Barry

Andrews, Ed ‘Punch’

Andrews, Jaime

Andrews, Pete

‘Angel’

Animal records

‘Ann’

Ann Arbor, Michigan: alternative arts scene; Angie Bowie in; Clint’s Club; depicted in Stooges lyrics; Discount Records ; East Town ballroom; economic and industrial status; hippie culture; Iggy’s schooldays in ; John Sinclair’s move to; Morgan Road studio; Mothers Teenage Nightclub (in Armoury) ; music scene; University Towers apartments;
see also
Michigan, University of

Ann Arbor High School ; class of ’ reunion

Apple, Annie

Ardura, Evita

Ardura, Mrs

Arista Records

Arm, Mark

Armstrong, Kevin

Arnet, Dude
see
Alexander, Dave

Arnold, Jerome

Aronoff, Kenny

Artaud, Antonin

Asano, Suchi ; depicted in ‘Shades’; homes with Iggy; Iggy marries; marriage break-up ; in
Sid And Nancy
; writes
In Broken Wigwag
(novel)

Asheton, Ann

Asheton, Kathy

Asheton, Ron: background; Iggy’s first meeting with; on Iggy as schoolboy; interest in Nazis ; and formation of Iguanas; in Prime Movers; avoids military service; in Chosen Few; bad behaviour with Koester; and formation of Stooges; role in Stooges; heroes; starts as bass player; as lead guitarist ; and drugs ; at debut party ; finances; loses virginity ; on Iggy’s alter ego; reaction to Danny Fields; and New York ; and Stooges’ first album ; as Iggy’s best man; TV tastes; as co-creator of Iggy Pop; known as ‘Cummings’ ; role in Fun House; songwriting; and
Fun House
sessions; and first Stooges split ; feels betrayed by Iggy’s Bowie contract; demoted to bass for Stooges reunion and feels sidelined; contributes to Williamson’s sacking ; on end of the Stooges; skill as bass player; positive attitude and humour; sexual activities ; lucky memento; scarred by flying coin; and Stooges’ last gig ; starts New Order; post-Stooges contact with Iggy ; depicted in ‘Dum Dum Boys’; and
Velvet Goldmine
soundtrack; Iggy blames for failure; still lives with mother ; and reformed Stooges

Asheton, Scott (Rock Action): appearance; background ; Iggy’s first meeting with; and formation of Iguanas; bad behaviour with Koester; and formation of Stooges; drumming style; role in Stooges; and drugs ; at debut party; arguments with Iggy; home near Fun House; and New York ; teases Iggy’s first wife; and Stooges’ first album; as co-creator of Iggy Pop; in Los Angeles; on Iggy’s decline; friendship with Williamson; road accident; sidelined in reunited Stooges; contributes to Williamson’s sacking ; and Stooges’ last gig; on end of the Stooges; lucky memento; threatens Slade roadies; depicted in ‘Dum Dum Boys’; in SRB; reaction to Iggy’s autobiography; Iggy blames for failure; and reformed Stooges

Ashley, Robert

‘Asthma Attack’

Atlanta, Georgia

Attwooll, Hugh

avant-garde

Avenue B
(Iggy Pop album)

Ayeroff, Jeff

Aylesbury Friars

Babcock, Jay

Back Door Man
(magazine)

Bailey, Hiawatha

Baker, Bob

‘Ballad Of Cookie McBride, The’

‘Bang Bang’

Bangs, Lester

Bart, Lionel

Bauhaus

Bayley, Roberta

Baylis, Farmer (‘the Bear’)

Beach Boys

Beaghen, Seamus

Beat ’Em Up
(Iggy Pop album)

Beatles

Beattie, Leo

Benson, Eric (Iggy’s son)

Benson, Paulette

Berg, Karin

Berlin: Café Exil; Hansa studios;
The Idiot
sessions; Iggy’s flat in; life in ;
Low
sessions ;
Lust For Life
sessions; Schlosshotel Gerhus; UFA studios

Berlin, East

Berlin Wall

Berry, Chuck

‘Beside You’

‘Beyond The Law’

bikers

Billboard

Bimbo’s, San Francisco

Bindon, Johnny

Bingenheimer, Rodney

bipolar disorders

Birthday Party

Bishop family

Black Flag

Black Rain
(film)

Blah Blah Blah
(Iggy Pop album) ; promotional tour

Blondie

Blood Sweat and Tears

Bolan, Marc

Bomp Records

Bomser, Alan

Booth, Mary

‘Borderline’

Bosworth, Richard

Bourgoise, Dan

Bowbeer, Chuck

Bowie, Angie

Bowie, David ; Iggy’s first meetings with ; Williamson and; and Ziggy Stardust; motives for championing Iggy; compared to Stooges’ decadence ; US tour;
Raw Power
mixed by; Iggy inspires tracks on
Aladdin Sane
; ‘Cock In My Pocket’ inspired by; Japanese tour; allows MainMan to drop the Stooges; rivalry with Elton John; Iggy tries to contact; visits Iggy in hospital; overwork; and cocaine; records with Iggy in LA; offers Iggy ‘Sister Midnight’; Station To Station tour; relationship with Iggy ; rumours of gay relationship; visits Moscow with Iggy; and fascism ;
The Idiot
sessions ; cuts down on drugs; paints portrait of Iggy;
Low
sessions; and promotional tour for
The Idiot
;
Lust For Life
sessions; and
“Heroes”
; RCA and; finds drummer for
New Values
; visits and enlivens
Soldier
sessions ; asks Iggy not to release ‘Play It Safe’; interrogates Kral ; charm with musicians; and
Baal
; gives advice on Iggy’s autobiography; and
Let’s Dance
; success of ‘China Girl’; guitar borrowed from; Iggy holidays with; later songwriting collaborations with Iggy; and
Tonight
; film projects ; and Live Aid; records
Blah Blah Blah
with Iggy; admires’s
Album
; depicted with Iggy in
Velvet Goldmine
; visits Tony Sales in hospital; on Iggy’s compulsion to tour

Bowie, Zowie

Bowne, Doug

Boyce, Tommy

Boyle, Joan

Bramble, Derek

Branson, Richard

Breaking Point, The
(tour)

Brick By Brick
(Iggy Pop album)

Brodsky, Joel

Brown, Duane

Brown, James

Brown, Pam

Browne, Jackson

Brownsville Station

Buell, Bebe

Bug Music

Burden, Chris

Burke, Clem

Burn, Malcolm

Butcher, Phil

Butterfield, Paul

Butterfield Blues Band

Byrds

Cale, John

Cameron, Keith

‘Candy’

Caraeff, Ed

Carlisle, Dan

Carnal Kitchen

Carpenter Elementary School, Ypsilanti

Cash, Johnny

Cave, Nick

CBGB, NY

CBS

Celusta, Patricia Carson

Charging Rhinoceros of Soul

Charles, Ray

Charters, Sam

Chateau’Herouville, France

Cheatham, Bill ; as Stooges’ guitarist ; as Stooges’ roadie

Chelsea Hotel, NY

Chequered Past

Chicago

Childers, Leee ‘Black’

‘China Girl’; Bowie’s version

Chosen Few

Cincinnati, Ohio,

Circle Jerks

City of Angels
(film)

‘City Slang’ (SRB single)

Clark, Jackie

Clash

Clinton, Bill

Club Ponytail, Harbor Springs

Coachella festival

Coachville Gardens trailer park,

Michigan

Cobain, Kurt

cocaine: Bowie and; effect on recording sessions; at Goose Lake festival; and Hollywood lifestyle; Iggy and ; Iggy obtains from experimental monkeys; Iggy’s mood swings worsened by; John Adams and; Mike Page and ; Peter Davies and; reduced use in Los Angeles; Thin Lizzy roadie and; used to cover exhaustion on tour; and Ungano’s gig

‘Cock In My Pocket’

Cocker, Joe

Cockettes

Coffee And Cigarettes
(film)

‘Cold Metal’

Cole, John

Collier, Don

Collins, Art

Color of Money, The
(film)

Columbia Records

Commander Cody

Cooper, Alice

Coronet, LA

Cotton, James

County, Wayne

Cox, Alex

Cragin, Hal

Crawford, Jesse (J.C.)

Cream

Creem
(magazine)

Crow, The
(film)

Crowe, Cameron

‘Cry For Love’

Crybaby
(film)

‘Curiosity’

Currie, Doug

Curtis, Ian

Curtis, Jackie

Czaykowski, Bob (‘Nite Bob’)

Dadomo, Giovanni

Damned

‘Dance of Romance’

‘Dancing With The Big Boys’

Darts

Davies, Peter

Davis, Clive

Davis, Dennis

Davis, Michael

Death of Glitter
see
Hollywood Street Revival and Trash Dance

‘Death Trip’

Defries, Tony: abilities as manager ; advice to Iggy and James ; arranges Columbia deal; and Bowie’s tour; influence on
Raw Power
; invites Iggy to join Gem; and John Cougar Mellencamp; launches MainMan ; London apartment; loses patience with Iggy and drops him ; mocks RCA; only interested in solo stars; sacks Hugh Attwooll; tries to stop release of
Metallic KO

Delaware, Ohio: Grey Chapel

Delta Pops festival

de Menil, François

Denim Delinquent
(magazine)

Densmore, Jannie

Depp, Johnny

Derringer, Rick and Liz

Des Barres, Michael

Des Barres, Pamela

Detroit, Michigan: Ann Arbor convenient for; car industry ; Dylan concert at Cobo Hall ; Ford Auditorium ; Grande Ballroom ; Hilton hotel; Hudsons record store; Michigan Palace ; music scene ; Pontiac Silverdome; repression of hippie culture; riots ; St Clair Lake Ice Arena; United sound recorders; WABX radio; West Side violence; White Panther activity

de Witt, Barbara and Tim

Dickies

‘Did You Evah’

Diddley, Bo

Dieckmann, Dennis

Dinosaur Jr

Dionysus
(play and film)

‘Dirt’

Dirty Shames

Discount Records, Ann Arbor

DMA (agency)

Dobat, Sigrid

Doc the parakeet

Dr John

‘Dog Food’

Don And The Good Times

‘Don’t Look Down’

Doors

Dostoevsky, Fyodor:
The Idiot

Douglas, Jim

‘Down On The Street’

Drayton, Charlie

drugs: DMT; effect of Operation Intercept; exacerbate Iggy’s mood swings; Iggy as trashcan user; psilocybin; ‘Stern’ pills ; THC;
see also
cocaine; heroin; LSD; marijuana; Quaaludes

Duff

‘Dum Dum Boys, The’ (formerly ‘Dum Dum

Days’)

Dunlap, Dave

Duprey, Rob

Dylan, Bob

Eastern Michigan University

Eddy, Duane

Edmonds, Ben

Eggar, Robin

Ehring, Chris

Eldridge, Clarence ‘Rusty’

Elektra Records ; album covers; Fields sacked by; and
Fun House
; Sound Recorders studio ; Stooges sacked by; try to retain Iggy as solo artist; and unreleased Stooges material

EMI

‘Endless Sea, The’

Engel, Luke

England’s Glory

Eno, Brian

Erlewine, Dan

Erlewine, Michael

‘Fall In Love With Me’

Fantusi, Tina

Farrell, Perry

FBI (agency)

Fields, Danny: and Elektra Records ; and MC5 ; enthusiasm for the Stooges ; and Iggy’s asthma; hires John Cale as producer ; sacked by Elektra; continues as Stooges’ publicist ; gives Iggy his first cocaine ; Iggy’s phone calls to; and Iggy’s drugs problem; ousted by Steve Paul as Iggy’s manager; helps Iggy; takes Iggy to meet Bowie; at Max’s gig; and the Ramones

films: Bowie’s projects; Iggy’s roles in; inspired by Iggy and Bowie; soundtracks

‘Fire Girl’

‘Five Foot One’

Flamin’ Groovies

Flanagan, Jerry

Flo and Eddie (DJs)

Flynn, Errol

Ford Auditorium, Detroit

Ford Motor Company

Fosdick, Ted

Four Tops

Fowley, Kim

Foxe, Cyrinda

Foxx, Leigh

Francis, Black

Franklin, Aretha

Fraternity of Man

Frawley, Dennis

Friedmann, Esther: as photographer ; meets and is attracted to Iggy; influence on songs; leaves boyfriend for Iggy; lives with Iggy in Berlin; on Iggy’s personality ; and Iggy’s finances ; reaction to Iggy’s groupies ; friendships; on Peter Davies; Iggy’s dissatisfaction with; New York homes with Iggy; and Iggy’s son; and Johnny Depp ; in Haiti; split with Iggy

Frost

Frostrup, Mariella

Frusciante, John

Frystack, Ricky

Fugitives

Fun House (Stooge Hall) ; Iggy, James and Scott move out; demolished

Fun House
(Stooges album)

‘Fun House’ (song)

Gallucci, Don