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
Posted by Jessica Robertson on Jan 6th 2009 11:00AM
Filed under: News, R.I.P.
Reader Comments(1 of 4)
rmnjfk1960at 1-06-2009
Never heard of him. Who cares.
Bob and Johnat 1-06-2009
So you take the time to make a silly remark just to see your name on the board?? Sad, He was a fellow human being
imagoofybastrdat 1-06-2009
you never heard of him because your an putz who listens to britney spears and disco.
If you were into real music you would of heard to the stooges.
IGGYPOPRULES
cney212at 1-06-2009
are you fucking kidding me. thats real nice asshole
Groupat 1-06-2009
you ignorant. if you have not heard of him, then why post it...keep going...
pwpicsat 1-06-2009
Why bother to write anything? I think Bob and John (first reply) hit the nail on the head. Too bad it wasn't in YOUR head. You just like seeing your name in lights!
mrsshopsalotat 1-06-2009
never heard of you either.so if you should expire like a library book..no one else will care..and we really mean no one else.. j.
matureblackstudat 1-06-2009
if you took the time to read the entire story and respond you obviously care.
newacct1267427at 1-06-2009
and when you die, alllll the other assholes in the world will say the same thing about you. Karma.
D-TOXat 1-06-2009
Hey, rmnjfk1960... iggy pop and the stooges are rock icons. the only kind of person that would say "who cares" are ignorant, and if you dont care about great musicians then !!!FUCK YOU!!! i'm not a big fan of the stooges but at least i show some respect for a fellow musician
R.I.P - Ron
Miezekatzeat 1-06-2009
A very sad day in music history!
tehunter55at 1-06-2009
Is that the best picture you could use? That is sad. Delaneys talent was HUGE. He may not have been as newsworthy because he wasn't locked up half the time for shooting up the place, or other TMZ crap etc. But, Come on, please. Delaney was and will be an inspiration to many people through his talent and music. If you don't know who he is, go to youtube, buy a cd etc. You might like it. God rest your soul Delaney Brammlet.
Julieat 1-06-2009
Wow, I'll bet Jack White is creaming himself right now. He's ripped off the Stooges countless times, I'm sure he thinks he deserves to play with the band now.
particlewmanat 1-06-2009
Wow you obviously have no idea what you're talking about. Jack White has far too much love and respect for the Stooges to even think about trying to replace him. No way in hell is he creaming himself, he's probably extremely upset. I can think of very few modern day musicians who express their love for their idols as frequently as Jack does. You obviously know nothing about him.
Lindaat 1-06-2009
rmnjfk1960....doesn't matter if "you" have never heard of him...he is dead, have some sympathy for his family and friends.
rmnjfk1960at 1-06-2009
lots of people die i don't even know who that guy is so get off my back biatche
judyjudyjudyat 1-06-2009
Motown is in mourning for one of the icons of Detroit rock/punk. Rest in peace, Ron.
John Tusseyat 1-06-2009
Anyone that says they've never heard of Delaney should go out and get a "Bonnie & Delaney" CD. The music is timeless and without that band there would have been no 'Derek & the Dominoes' and that music stands up to time better than anything coming out nowadays.
May Delaney rest in peace, thanks for the memorable music you gave us!!
Billat 1-06-2009
WHO?????
John Tusseyat 1-06-2009
And may Ron Asheton rest in peace as well. While I wasn't a big fan of the Stooges, one has to admire those who did bring joy to others thru music. The Stooges were punk before punk was even a genre of music!