Iggy Pop is an American-born singer, songwriter, producer and actor. Known as the “godfather of Punk”, Pop rose to fame as the frontman of the rock band ‘The Stooges’. The group disbanded in the 70s before reuniting in 2003. Iggy Pop had a volatile yet successful solo career – during the Stooges’ hiatus – with numerous albums and hit singles like 1977’s “The Passenger” and “Real Wild Child (Wild One)”.
The Stooges continued to create music after their reunion in 2003 and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. The group finally dissolved in 2016 following the death of some of its members. Iggy Pop’s music style over the years has comprised of several forms of rock with a fusion and jazz and blues.
Iggy Pop’s Bio, Age
Iggy Pop was born James Newell Osterberg Jr. on April 21, 1947, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His parents were Louella (née Christensen) and James Newell Osterberg, Sr. Osterberg Jr. was the only child of the family and they resided in a trailer park in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He developed a keen interest in music at a very young age and his parents were very supportive. They gave up their master bedroom for their young musical genius because that was the only room large enough for his drums.
As a teenager, Osterberg Jr. performed for several bands in his home state including Prime Movers and the Iguanas from where he derived his stage moniker “Iggy”. He dropped out of college and relocated to Chicago to pursue a full-time career in music. He formed the band “the Psychedelic Stooges” in 1967 alongside Ron Asheton as the guitarist, Scott, Asheton’s brother on the drums, and Dave Alexander as bassist.
Having signed to Elektra Records, the Stooges released their self-titled debut album in 1969 followed by their sophomore album Fun House (1970). However, both releases fared poorly. The band’s poor commercial success coupled with increasing drug addiction by almost every member of the band cost the Stooges their record deal and also culminated in their disbandment in 1971.
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As a solo act, Iggy Pop earned a major boost to his career after striking a friendship with English music star David Bowie in the early 70s. This was followed by a brief reunion of the Stooges as the band collaborated with Bowie on their 3rd album Raw Power (1973). The album fared modestly, however, the Stooges disbanded again in 1974 owing to Pop’s persistent drug problems. Pop spent the years that followed trying to rid himself of drug addiction.
In 1977, the singer collaborated with David Bowie on the release of his first 2 solo albums The Idiot and Lust for Life, both of which remain Pop’s most successful solo releases yet. The duo also collaborated on Pop’s 3rd studio album TV Eye Live which was released in 1978. This was followed by a couple of other albums, however, they were not commercially successful.
Iggy Pop’s fortunes changed for the better in 1990 following the release of his 9th album Brick by Brick which became his first album to attain Gold certification. The singer gained more prominence in 1996 when his 1977 single “Lust for Life” was featured in the highly successful British film Trainspotting. A revamped music video was made for the song and it has gained more popularity.
By the turn of the century, Iggy Pop had recorded 13 studio albums as a solo artist. His 14th album Skull Ring (2003) featured collaborations with his former bandmates Ron and Scott Asheton as well as several other artists. Being the only surviving members of the band, Iggy Pop and the Ashetons reformed the Stooges with the addition of bassist Mike Watt and saxophonist Steve Mackay.
Following the reunion of the Stooges, Iggy Pop maintained his solo career even as he performed and created music with the band. In April 2011, he performed on an episode of the 10th season of American Idol. He was voted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2012. The Stooges released their 5th and final album Ready to Die in 2013. Iggy Pop has continued his solo career following the disbandment of the Stooges in June 2016.
Wife, Son
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Iggy Pop is currently married to his long-term partner Nina Alu, an air hostess. The couple met way back in 1999 and started living together the following year. They eventually tied the knot in November 2008. Iggy Pop has one child. However, in 1970, he welcomed a son named Eric Benson with his girlfriend at that time, Paulette Benson.
Is He Gay?
Going by the relationship history of Iggy Pop, it is safe to assume that the music icon is not gay. Before getting together with his current wife, Pop was married to 2 other women. His first marriage dates back to 1968 to a young woman named Wendy Weissberg. The marriage lasted for only a couple of weeks before it was annulled. In 1984, the singer gave a second shot at marriage as he tied the knot with Japanese-born actress Suchi Asano. Their marriage lasted for 14 years and ended in a divorce in 1998.
Net Worth
Iggy Pop has recorded over 30 fairly successful albums as a solo artist and with his former band the Stooges. He has also enjoyed several endorsement deals during his long-running career and has earned substantial royalties from music collaborations. Iggy Pop’s net worth is currently pegged at $20 million.
See Also: Bob Dylan Son (Children), Height, Wife, Where Is He Now, Is He Dead?
Height & Other Body Measurements
Iggy Pop stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm). Never afraid to show off his torso, the rock icon maintains a body weight of 65 kg (143 lbs). Iggy Pop has gained a reputation for his extreme stage antics which according to him, were influenced by iconic performers such as Jim Morrison, Mick Jagger, and James Brown. Pop is credited in many quarters as the first performer to do a stage-dive.