• 1967-1974, 2003-

  Iggy PopVocals

  Scott AshetonDrums1967–1974, 2003–2014)

  Ron AshetonGuitar1967-1974, 2003-2009

  Dave AlexanderBass1967-1970

  James WilliamsonGuitar1970-

  Mike WattBass2003-

  Steve MackaySaxophone2003-
• Vocalist Iggy Pop created his alias by adapting the name of his former band, the Iguanas.
• Pop is credited as the first to perform a stage dive. He was inspired by the onstage antics of The Doors frontman Jim Morrison, and became himself notorious for his onstage performances. He is said to have rolled in glass, and flashed the audience. At the 1970 Cincinnati Pop Festival, he dived into the crowd and smeared himself with peanut butter.
• Iggy Koopa, a character in the Nintendo Super Mario franchise, was named after Pop.
• US Alternative Rock band Sonic Youth dedicated their last album The Eternal to Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton, who died in 2009 of a heart attack. Since his death, his younger brother drummer Scott Asheton and Iggy Pop are the only remaining original members.
• The band were originally called The Psychedelic Stooges, but their name changed along with their sound. They took their name from American vaudeville comedy trio The Three Stooges. Reportedly, Iggy Pop asked The Three Stooges member Moe Howard if he objected to the name change, to which he replied, "I don't care what they call themselves, as long as they're not the Three Stooges!"
• Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, used Iggy Pop's wiry body as a model for the creation of Gollum.
• The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010.
• Since 2009, Iggy Pop has featured in adverts promoting UK car insurance company Swiftcover. He is accompanied by a puppet of his likeness, dubbed 'Little Iggy.' The advert caused controversy when it was revealed that the company do not insure musicians.
• David Bowie's 1982 hit China Girl was originally released by Iggy Pop on his 1977 debut album The Idiot. The two, who have frequently worked together, co-wrote the track, supposedly about Iggy's infatuation with a Vietnamese woman.
• Drummer and founding member Scott Asheton suffered a severe stroke after the Hellfest Festival show of June 17, 2011, in France. He passed away in March 2014, aged 64

Comments

More Songfacts:

Good TimesChic

The disco song "Good Tmes" by Chic was a huge influence on early rap, providing the bassline for "Rapper's Delight."

Right RoundFlo Rida

An unknown Kesha (known then as Ke$ha) sang on Flo-Rida's #1 hit "Right Round," but refused to appear in the video because she wanted to make a name for herself.

American PieDon McLean

Don McLean's "American Pie" starts in mono and gradually goes to stereo. It isn't full stereo until the end of the song, which is over 8 minutes long.

Your Time Is Gonna ComeLed Zeppelin

"Your Time Is Gonna Come" became the first Led Zeppelin song to be covered when Sandie Shaw recorded it in 1969.

You Are Not AloneMichael Jackson

Michael Jackson's 1995 song "You Are Not Alone" was the first single in US history to enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart at #1

Everything Your Heart DesiresHall & Oates

The Hall & Oates hit "Everything Your Heart Desires" has no rhymes.

Editor's Picks

David Bowie Leads the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Long-Haired MenSong Writing

Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.

Women Who RockSong Writing

Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.

Chrissie Hynde of The PretendersSongwriter Interviews

The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.

Paul Stanley of Kiss, Soul StationSongwriter Interviews

Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.