Iggy Pop has paid tribute to his “best friend”, Stooges bandmate Ron Asheton, who has died at the age of 60, from a suspected heart attack.
The guitarist, the mastermind behind The Stooges’ feedback guitar sound was found dead at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on January 6.
Asheton was a founder member of the band along with his brother Scott, bassist Dave Alexander and frontman Pop. He also co-wrote the group’s most enduring
songs, including No Fun and I Wanna Be Your Dog.
Pop said: “I am in shock – he was my best friend.” A statement on behalf of The Stooges, their management and crew, said: “We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron’s death. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed.
“For all that knew him behind the façade of Mr Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not.
“As a musician Ron was The Guitar God, idol to follow and inspire others. That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him,” the statement added.
By the band’s third album, Raw Power, Asheton was relegated to bass, his place on guitar taken by James Williamson. Following the band’s demise in 1974, Asheton played in a number of other acts including Destroy All Monsters as well as collaborating with other alt-rock luminaries such as Thurston Moore of Sonic
Youth and Mark Arm of Mudhoney for the soundtrack of the movie Velvet Goldmine.
When the Stooges reunited in 1975, he regained his role as guitarist and the band’s triumphant shows included a set at Glastonbury and new material in the shape of the album The Weirdness. Asheton is thought to have died several days before his body was found.
Here he is in action playing TV Eye with the reformed Stooges ...
6:51 PM | 06/01/2009
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