The Stooges are often credited with being the first punk-rock band, emerging a full seven years before the 70s punk explosion. There's truth in that, with leader Iggy Pop being the epitome of a punk, and with their sharp, aggressive guitar noise and debauched lyrical themes. But the Stooges, because of the same guitar sound, must also be seen as forerunners to heavy metal - along with contemporaries MC5, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.
Comprising Jim Osterberg (more commonly known as Iggy Pop) on vocals, brothers Ron and Scott Asheton on guitar and drums respectively, and Dave Alexander on bass, the band formed in Detroit in 1967. They soon won a reputation as an exciting live experience, thanks to their thrilling guitar riffs and Iggy's unhinged onstage antics. He was famous for smearing raw meat over his bare chest, swearing and vomiting on the audience, cutting himself with broken glass, and stage-diving (a practice he invented). Signing to Elektra in 1968, their self-titled debut album the following year was a flop, though it has since been re-evaluated and is now considered a classic. In 1970, their second album Fun House was also a critical and commercial failure. Recorded with few overdubs, it was intended to recreate the sound of the band playing live, even if that included sloppy playing or distorted sound. Now, Fun House is regarded as one of the greatest rock albums of the 70s.
Problems followed with line-up changes and heroin abuse, and the band went on hiatus. In 1971, Iggy Pop met David Bowie (or 'Ziggy Stardust', as he was known at the time) and the pair became friends. In 1973, Bowie produced the third album from the band now known as Iggy & The Stooges - Raw Power. Again, it sold poorly and few critics noticed it. However, in later years Raw Power emerged as one of the most influential albums to precede the punk-rock era.
The Stooges continued to tour, but Iggy's heroin addiction and wild behaviour was causing difficulties. Their final performance is caught on the infamous live album Metallic K.O. (1975), where Iggy insults and baits the audience while dodging hails of beer bottles and eggs.
In 2003, The Stooges reformed to play with Iggy on his solo album Skull Ring, before going on tour with him again. In 2006, The Stooges released their fourth official studio album, The Weirdness, though it was met with poor reviews and sales.
