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Biography
James Newell Osterberg was a misfit. Maybe not an outcast but definitely outside of his natural habitat by the time he got to junior high. You see, Osterberg was raised in a trailer park in Ypsilanti, Michigan by a pair of near-penniless parents, while he was going to school with the president of the Ford Motor Company’s son in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His peers were of a certain social and economic stature that Osterberg was not a part of but that’s absolutely not to say that he had an unhappy childhood.
Quite the opposite is true, and a large part of that was due to how unconditionally supporting and loving his parents were. They helped out as much as they could, to the extent that once he took up the drums, his parents let him have the master bedroom of their trailer so he could have enough room for a drum kit. This space to practise paid off, and by the time he was in high school Osterberg was playing for a number of different bands. One of them was called The Iguanas, and playing with them led to him gaining the nickname Iggy, which would stay with him his entire performing career.
While playing, the newly christened Iggy discovered a love of the blues, playing with a number of local blues inspired bands like The Prime Movers. Iggy was so taken with the style that he dropped out of university and moved to Chicago with the express intention of learning as much about the blues as he could. While he was down there, inspired as he was by The Sonics, The Doors and his home state heroes the MC5, he formed a band of his own called The Psychedelic Stooges along with Ron and Dave Asheton on guitar and drums, respectively, and Dave Alexander on bass.
In 1967, Iggy had an experience that would go on to define a lot of his artistry, persona and all of his performance style. He watched The Doors play a concert in Michigan and was utterly taken by Jim Morrison’s extreme behaviour and wilful antagonism of the audience. He was inspired, and he decided to push the boundaries of stage performance as far as they could go, adding stage diving, rolling around in broken glass and even vomiting on stage to his bands live shows. These live shows got them a lot of exposure and hype, and in 1968, they followed The Doors again, signing with Elektra Records a mere year after their live debut.
Between ’68 to ’71, The Stooges released two albums, their self-titled debut in 1969 and 1970’s “Fun House”. Hailed as two of the great rock albums of all time now, at the time they were all but ignored, not selling anywhere near as much as most hoped they would. That, combined with the crippling heroin habit that Iggy had picked up, led to The Stooges splitting soon after “Fun House” was released. However, in the same year Iggy made one of the contacts that would save his career when he met David Bowie at the nightclub Max’s Kansas City.
Bowie wanted to make an album with Iggy in England, so he and new guitarist James Williamson moved across the Atlantic to put a new band together. England promptly failed to deliver, so Scott and Ron Asheton begrudgingly moved across the pond to complete the group on bass and drums respectively. The album they created, “Raw Power”, was even better than anything they’d done before but even the patronage of Bowie himself couldn’t lift their commercial spirits and Iggy’s drug addiction worsened. The Stooges split once more, and Iggy found himself in a mental institution to wean himself off drugs, but from this point, it could only get better.
His friendship with Bowie continued and The Dame’s faith in Iggy led to the first commercially succesful albums of Iggy’s career, both released in 1977. They were “The Idiot” and “Lust For Life”. Ever since then Iggy has remained one of the most respected and acclaimed cult performers in rock and roll, a reputation which he continues to hold to this very day. Still performing, still rocking and still blowing every mind who witnesses him, Iggy Pop comes highly recommended.
Live reviews
Last night (4-11-16) at The Boston Orpheum Iggy Pop finally has transcended himself.
Most musicians at this stage in their careers (if they survived) unfortunately have become a mere shadow of themselves and in some cases a straight out mockery.
That is not the case with Iggy Pop!
I must admit that when the Band came out in red lounge lizard smoking jackets and black slacks I was a bit nervous as to what the evening was to unfold?
And when Iggy himself hobbled out in a black Tux, bare chested though He was under the jacket, I was getting more worried.
"Please not some watered down post punk slop"!!
Two verses into the opening "Lust For Life" my concerns were gone along with Iggy's Jacket!!
At 69 years old, and a very hard 69 years that by all accounts He never should have made it to. His body is undeniably "broken" and He obviously has issues moving at times He none the less stalks the stage like a caged animal and will inexplicably explode with a frenzy for a moment as what ever demons are within him take over.
Josh Homme has put together a remarkable live Band for Iggy to wail over and there were just enough of his signature style to add a nice twist to Iggy's old standards.
But I must admit that the biggest surprise was how much new material they did (I think the whole record) and how bombastic it is live compared to the Studio album which, as is typical, tempered the raw energy of the tracks IMO.
"American Valhalla" in particular was a completely different animal all together!! No longer a prodding show gazer track but a snarling angry tirade!
Iggy doesn't fake anything and He is the real deal to the bitter end (and I think this is the end). Nothing is forced or contrived and when a 69 year old with a bad hip launches himself into the audience to crowd surface and just has the biggest goofy smile on his face the whole time you just have to go with it!!
Iggy is like that Old Lion with all the scars of life on full display with out self consciousness almost ready to walk off into the sunset.
But though He may not be as fast as He once was and there is a paunch in his once lean stomach. When you look in those eyes you still see that fire and those fangs are still there waiting for someone to be stupid enough to try and pat his head and say "Good Kitty".
Setlist:
http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/iggy-pop/2016/orpheum-theatre-boston-ma-bf19d5e.html
Opening Act: Noveller
Iggy's Support Band:
Josh Homme
Dean Fertita
Matt Helders
Troy Van Leeuwen
Matt Sweeney:
tommyv
Many rock artists reach a point in their career where they consider the logistics of whether or not they can match the raw energetic performances they have given in the past. Often you find musicians settling into more subdued genres ( for instance Deep Purple's guitarist Richie Blackmore chose Celtic Folk). This simply isn't the case for Iggy Pop. Sure he's released albums that have drifted from his punk background. Remember Préliminaires? This was an album steeped in the rich New Orleans traditions of jazz, finding Iggy singing standards like "Autumn Leaves" in French. This trend continued on his 2012 album Après finding him singing a wide variety of pop hits many times in the French language.
Ok. Right now it sounds like I am contradicting myself. Iggy Pop is an incredibly prolific artist and these albums are really a testament to his diverse and experimental career. However after hearing The Stooges album "Ready to Die" and seeing some of the groups performances it seems like Iggy Pop took it upon himself to exponentially crank up the volume and rage with each year he's been performing. Some of his performances are so erratic and in your face that Black Flag would cringe. Going to one of his shows it is very possible that you might be consumed by a storming crowd with a shirtless Iggy jumping right in the middle of the chaos.
Obviously you shouldn't expect all of Iggy's shows to be equivocal to gang fights, although it might seem like that depending on the tour or songs he chooses. Iggy's career is flavored with variety, and similar to like minded artist and frequent collaborator David Bowie his music is multilayered and in constant flux. Iggy is likely to blast you out with his psychedelic tinged-punk classic "I Wanna Be Your Dog" or he may decide to serenade you with his Dylanesque "Passenger". You just might even want to bring your dancing shoes for his more catchy tracks such as "Night Clubbing" and "China Girl".
wjmcc
The influential frontman of protopunk band The Stooges continues to tour to this date to his loyal fanbase. Perhaps now equally famous for remaining topless during almost all of his public appearances, the icon of rock still has mass appeal and is one of the century's most naturally gifted frontmen.
There is no denying that his vocal is wavering with age not helped by Iggy's fragmented past yet the crowd are more than happy to help out as they bellow along the chorus to 'Gimme Danger'. Iggy continues to perform with the snarling demeanour that fans became accustomed to during his rise to fame in the 70's and they respond well to jeers to move and be heard.
They do not need any encouragement during 'Real Wild Child (Wild One' which they chant back with fists raised to the stage as a sort of punk call to arms. The final track 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' is the most chaotic as Iggy launches himself from side to side of stage and makes sure he is still seen as an epitome of classic rock & roll.
sean-ward
An Iggy Pop concert is a once in a lifetime experience, perhaps because, seated in an arena of thousands, you can only be too aware that you are in the presence of a legend. An icon in rock history. The Michigan born rock singer, songwriter and producer has been performing for decades now, and has well and truly cemented himself in musical history, first as frontman of The Stooges and then as a solo artist in his own right. Through Iggy Pop’s varied and impressive career, he has never once lost the iconic energy and passion that first enabled his rise to stardom. He is a fireball on stage, as punk god glorious as ever, and entertains the crowd with as much gusto as ever. He performed all his greatest hits, for which the crowd went wild, as well as a number of his pop hits and even a French number. Iggy’s vocals may be aged, but this barely mattered as the crowd sang with such enthusiasm throughout that most of his vocals were blasted by the brilliant, crazy crowd.
sabraziz
Had an amazing experience seeing Iggy Pop perform with Joshua Homme and crew. Dean Fertita, Troy Van Leeuwan played guitars, keys, and backup vocals. Matt Helders from Arctic Monkeys on drums. I'm not sure who the bass player was but he played well also.
They hit every song from Post Pop Depression album except for Vulture. There was also quite a few other songs played that I was unfamiliar with but they were great!
Even at 68 Iggy was stage diving, trusting those in the front row to catch him. He climbed down into the crowd for one of the songs which was pretty cool.
Wasn't a whole lot of talking, Iggy and crew kept the music going and there was hardly any down time during their set.
If this tour is coming to a city near you I highly recommend going to see it.
jeremy-lozano-1
I enjoyed his real performance.
But Iggy looked so exhausted and tired due to the 3 stages in a row and the rare heat in the UK.
He must cut the show and it was too short not to play"No Fun" etc. "Jean Genie " become the last song.
I went to the UK in order to experience the real Iggy,
and he gave me power and notified the important things how to live and survive in this confused world.
Thank you and See you again. Iggy very soon !
tatsubonbon
Superb show! Comprising entirely of the new post-pop depression songs interlaced with songs from two Bowie-produced albums, 'The Idiot' and 'Lust For Life', almost in tribute to his great friend. Iggy enacted out everyone's inner fantasy, hurling himself into the crowd, creating mayhem by visting the entire downstairs floor and sound desk, and together with the band, generally performing these songs brilliantly. An incredible night.
Venetian
He was super awesome (Iggy), full of energy giving is best to everybody who went...
I cant say anything negative about last night performance... The band, (queens of the stone age) the red coat, the list of the songs, the Jacuzzy Boys, all the production was very nice.
Thank you Iggy Pop!!!
ramon-l-enrique-rive
Unbelievable. The energy was incredible and it was a pleasure to be a part of. He may be knocking on bit this didn't stop Iggy getting involved in several stage dives aswell as spending a good 10 minutes out in the crowd just getting involved.
matthewbourne1991
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