Iggy Pop is sometimes called the "godfather of punk". His original band, the Stooges, recorded only 3 records and they are 3 of the most classic of all rock and roll records, though you won't hear them, or any of his other records, on the "classic rock" radio stations. He has continued to tour and release solo records since the Stooges broke up in 1973. My favorite Iggy Pop record is Zombie Birdhouse, an overlooked masterpiece. I saw him on the Zombie Birdhouse tour at the Sooner Theatre in Norman, Oklahoma (FEB 23, 1983). I got there a little late and found him involved in some sort of ugly interaction with the crowd, with insults and maybe spit flying back and forth. He had a spikey haircut, died black. The show was awesome. The band took a break halfway through but the drummer kept playing, like a 15-minute solo. His records feature different bands and are produced by different people and all sound different.

I saw him on Letterman several times. He was on with Steve Jones after Instinct. Dave bumped off the last guest to keep talking to Iggy. He was on again after Brick by Brick. He sang a song with his band (I think he also played guitar), then there was a commercial and Iggy was seated next to Dave. I was hoping for another long conversation. Dave said "Well Iggy, what have you been up to?" Iggy said, "Well I've been out in California and you know, just licking and sucking." Dave immediately responded with "Uh... well it looks like it's time for a commercial" and when they came back Iggy was gone. He was on again on August 2, 2001 (reran 10/26/01), performing the opening song from Beat'Em Up, one of the wildest performances I've seen on the show. There wasn't much time to talk with Dave afterwards. Dave said "Good to see you, good to see you're still gettin' it done, my friend." (can probably find all this on Youtube)

Besides the regular releases listed below, there's plenty more - bootlegs, live records, etc. Other sites have giant lists. He also did the title track for Repo Man. The soundtrack is available on CD and includes lots of other cool music. He's been in a bunch of movies and there's a couple of autobiographical books. Check him out in the Jim Jarmusch film - Coffee and Cigarettes. Be sure to get ahold of Escaped Maniacs, a 2-disc DVD with a live show of the reunited Stooges in Belgium plus an hour-long documentary on Iggy, plus an hour-long interview with Iggy, plus shorter interviews with Ron and Scott Ashton.

Check out Jim Jarmusch's documentary on the Stooges - Gimme Danger! www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYRDGU4/

Much more info on the sites below.

Iggy Pop - Official Site: www.iggypop.com

Iggy and the Stooges - Official Site: www.iggyandthestoogesmusic.com

Iggy Pop - Official Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/iggypopofficial

Iggy Pop - Twitter: http://twitter.com/IggyPop

Wikipedia (Iggy Pop): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iggy_Pop

Wikipedia (The Stooges): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Stooges

Iggy Pop Interviewed by Jim Jarmusch - High Times NOV/DEC 2004 - http://hightimes.com/high-times-greats/iggy-pop-jim-jarmusch/

Iggy Pop - The Rock Iguana: Iggy-Pop.com

Iggy Pop: Experimental Design: IggyPop.org

Iggy Confidential (BBC Radio show): http://bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03yblbx

Database of all Iggy Pop shows: http://theconcertdatabase.com/artists/iggy-pop

The Records:

Funhouse (1970) Produced by Don Gallucci
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_Power_(The_Stooges_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000005IU2/
Another super-classic.

Raw Power (1973) Produced by Iggy Pop
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raw_Power
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000002AP1
Another classic record, but the sound quality is kind of weird (mixed by David Bowie and Iggy Pop). I think this has been reissued with a different mix. This is also set to be reissued in April 2010 as both a 2-disc "Legacy Edition" (original tracks + outtakes + a live show) and a 4-disc "Deluxe Edition", which will include additional songs on a 3rd disc and a DVD with a documentary on the making of the record. See www.iggyandthestoogesmusic.com.

The Idiot (1976) Produced by David Bowie
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Idiot_(album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000000WH7
Recorded in Berlin, David Bowie co-wrote the songs with Iggy. Has the original version of China Girl, way better than Bowie's version, which was a big hit later.

Lust for Life (1977) Produced by Bewlay Brothers
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lust_for_Life_(album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000000WH8
Recorded in Berlin, David Bowie co-wrote songs with Iggy.

New Values (1978) Produced by Jame Williamson
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Values
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00004TY93
"I'm bored, I'm the chairman of the bored".

Soldier (1980) Produced by Pat Moran
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soldier_(album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00004TY92

Party (1981) Produced by Thom Panunzio
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_(Iggy_Pop_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00004TY95
No one seems to like this one much, but there is some cool stuff on it, like Pumpin' for Jill, Houston and the first song, Pleasure (with horns!).

Zombie Birdhouse (1982) Produced by Chris Stein
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_Birdhouse
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00000DHLD
Very interesting and unique record. Super cool. One of my top favorite records. Originally issued on LP in 1982. CD issued in 1991. CD and LP reissued in 2019.
Review of 2019 reissue at The Line of Best Fit - Ross Horton - JUL 04, 2019 - http://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/albums/iggy-pop-zombie-birdhouse-album-review

Blah Blah Blah (1986) Produced by David Bowie and David Richards
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blah_Blah_Blah_(Iggy_Pop_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000002GHD/
Kind of a slick sound, but some cool songs. Bowie co-wrote most songs with Iggy.

Instinct (1988) Produced by Bill Laswell
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instinct_(Iggy_Pop_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0000072ZK/
All the songs have a similar sound, kind of punk rock metal. Features Steve Jones on guitar (he was the guitar player in the Sex Pistols). Used to see this in the bargain bins alot.

Brick By Brick (1990) Produced by Don Was
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brick_by_Brick
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000000WHF/
Lots of variety. Excellent record. Kate from the B-52's sings on Candy, which could have been a hit on the radio, if there was a radio. Iggy plays some guitar on this record (and on the next 3 also). The CD booklet is a cool fold-out poster by Charles Burns.

American Caesar (1993) Produced by Malcolm Burn
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Ceasar_(album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000000W4H/
Some of the wildest stuff since the Stooges. Very cool record.

Naughty Little Doggy (1996) Produced by Thom Wilson and Iggy Pop
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naughty_Little_Doggie
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000000WHF/
Kicks off with I Wanna Live followed by Pussy Walk.

Avenue B (1999) Produced by Don Was
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avenue_B_(album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00000K4FD/
Very introspective, not much wild rock and roll. There is a great cover of Shakin' All Over.

Beat 'Em Up (2001) Produced by Iggy Pop
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beat_'Em_Up
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00005KFVR/
Sounds great. Kicks right in. A strong record.

Skull Ring (2003) Produced by Iggy Pop
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_Ring
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0000D9YE7/
Featuring many guest musicians, including Peaches, Green Day and The Trolls.

The Weirdness (2007) Iggy Pop and the Stooges. Produced by Steve Albini
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Weirdness
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000MTDRJU/
This is actually a Stooges reunion record.

Preliminaires (2009) Produced by Hal Cragin
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preliminaires
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0023HPI1E/
He's a crooner!

Apres (2012) Produced by Hal Cragin
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apres
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0089VIX60/
More crooning.

Ready to Die (2013) - Iggy Pop and the Stooges
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ready_to_Die_(The_Stooges_album)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000MTDRJU/

Post Pop Depression (2016)
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_Pop_Depression

Free (2019)
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_(Iggy_Pop_album)

Revised 10/27/22, 10/22/22, 05/02/22, 01/07/14