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Stooges Guitarist Ron Asheton Dies at 60

Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton was found dead at his Ann Arbor, Mich. home Tuesday morning. The official cause of death is not yet known, but it is believed the Asheton suffered a heart attack. Police discovered Asheton's body on a couch after his personal assistant had been unable to reach him for several days. He was 60.

"I am in shock," Stooges frontman Iggy Pop said in a statement. "He was my best friend."

Asheton, along with his brother Scott on drums, Pop and original bassist Dave Alexander, formed the Stooges in Detroit in 1967. They released two albums, 'The Stooges' and 'Fun House,' before Ron Asheton took over bass duties. As a guitarist, he created a bevy of iconic riffs, including those for 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' and 'TV Eye.'

After the Stooges' initial split, Asheton played in several other bands, including the Wylde Ratttz, featuring Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, Mudhoney's Mark Arm, Dinosaur Jr.'s J. Mascis and Mike Watt. Watt joined Asheton once more when the Stooges reunited in 2003, and Asheton returned to his original place as Stooges guitarist on 2007's 'The Weirdness.'

"We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron's death," a combined statement released by Pop, Asheton's brother Scott, saxophonist Steve Mackay, Watt and the Stooges' management read. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed. For all that knew him behind the facade 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."

Iggy Pop & the Stooges Rewind

    Iggy and The Stooges Circa 1969, L-R: Scott Asheton, Ron Asheton, Dave Alexander, Iggy Pop (born James Osterberg, Jr.).

    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    October 30, 1973, California, West Hollywood, 8901 Sunset Boulevard, Iggy and The Stooges, Front row L-R: Iggy Pop (born James Osterberg, Jr.), Scott Asheton, Back row L-R:Scott Thurston, Ron Asheton, James Williamson backstag

    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    Iggy Pop with Scott "Rock Action" Asheton and Ron Asheton (both original Stooges) at the Second Chance in Ann Arbor, MI in 1981.

    Robert Matheu , Retna Ltd.

    Iggy Pop And The Stooges (L-R) Scott Ashton, Iggy Pop and Ron Ashton pose together at Tower Records November 3, 2003 in New York City.

    Matthew Peyton, Getty Images

    Scott Asheton, Iggy Pop, Mike Watt and Ron Asheton of the Stooges at the Electrical Audio in Chicago, Il.

    Paul Natkin, WireImage

    Honoree Madonna with Iggy Pop and The Stooges pose in the press room during the 23rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria on March 10, 2008 in New York City.

    Theo Wargo, WireImage

    Iggy Pop and the Stooges appears backstage during the 23rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria on March 10, 2008 in New York City.

    Theo Wargo, WireImage


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Mal, MNN

at least they finally got the recognition they deserved, though very late in their career.
rest well ron, and yes, Delaney Bramlett too !

http://www.musicnewsnet.com/

January 06 2009 at 11:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jess Terr

first off F%^$ O@# to the who cares guy dont waste any more time or thought to that a#$w&*^ RIP RON Ive loved your music since i was12 in 72 Scott my heart goes out out to you I nearly lost my brother a couple of days ago in an auto wreck hes ok but I cannot even imagine. Big big loss for all of musos and fans alike. my only consolation is to think of the happiness that RON and the rest of the Stooges must have got and brought to us by getting together and touring and recording again ...saw em in chitown 415 best show ive ever seen and im an old guy whos been lucky enough to see almost all the "greats" I grew up to and was influenced by.......Thanks for all the great music,style and attitude T.V. EYE and RAW POWER FOREVER MAN !!!!!!!

January 06 2009 at 10:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Playcate

Let's be real.. he's no rock legend...Iggy maybe..but even that's a stretch

January 06 2009 at 8:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sk8terboydom

I'm 15 and I know who he is....he will be missed rest in peace Ron....and seriously why would you even leave a comment if you dont know who he is?

January 06 2009 at 8:24 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
zjm006

************************************************
i am a young and handsome man from us.
i just wonder if i can meet a rich momma here,
because i am at the beginning of my career and i need someone's support..
i uploaded my hot photos on S u g a r m o m m a M e e t. c o m under the name piccolo ,
maybe you want to check out my photos first!

January 06 2009 at 8:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mitch

you jerk(rmnjfk1960)! before you post something you have no clue about, then I hope I speak for all concerned, keep your stupid comments to yourself!! May you rest in peace,,,,,Ron

January 06 2009 at 8:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dr. Ed

rmnjkf1960...what a pathetic, juvenile response.
If your birth year is 1960 what a sorry excuse
for a human being you must be....shut up & grow up!

January 06 2009 at 8:08 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Randy

what a great guitarist

January 06 2009 at 8:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
GODFATHER

To imagoofybastrd,
I've heard of them...all three of the Stooges.
Disc, R & B and old Classic Rock is still what's happening...you wired out FREAK.

The Godfather

January 06 2009 at 7:42 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
rob

C'mon AOL headline writers. If this guy was alive and got a DWI the headline would read "Rocker pulled over after wild partying night". But he's dead so he's a "music legend".

January 06 2009 at 7:40 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply