Iggy Pop, sometimes called the “Godfather of Punk,” got his start as the front man for the Stooges, with three loud, abrasive, classic proto-punk albums spanning 1969-1973. His shirtless stage antics—rolling in broken glass, smearing himself with peanut butter, diving from the stage, convulsing and writhing and shouting as if barely in control—earned him a reputation for being a little unhinged (which, to be fair, he probably was).
After the Stooges’ demise, years of substance abuse, and some time spent in a mental institution, Pop accompanied David Bowie—who was also trying to clean himself up—to Europe (mostly Berlin), where they each recorded some of the key works of their respective careers.
Pop released two albums in 1977, The Idiot and Lust for Life. Both show the influence of David Bowie. The Idiot slows things down to an apocalyptic crawl (almost every song feels like one of those dark, drawn-out, devastating end-of-album numbers); Lust for Life features a more rocking sound, like a new wave update of his Stooges work.
Here’s a blend of the best of Iggy Pop, circa 1977.
More Iggy Pop
Of course, the Stooges are required listening for anyone with even a mild interest in punk, post-punk, or alt-rock music. Although his two 1977 releases are generally considered the best of his solo work, Iggy Pop had other solo albums, too, which are worth checking out for those interested. New Values (1979) tends to be a fan favorite, as are his more recent comeback albums, Post Pop Depression (2016) and Free (2019).
Cover Art:
- Lust for Life: Source, Discogs.com, Fair use.
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