Ron Asheton Tribute Features Members of the Stooges, Jane's Addiction and Red Hot Chili Peppers

Posted on Jan 14th 2010 12:00PM by Steve Baltin
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One year ago on Jan. 13, friends and family gathered to lay Stooges' guitarist Ron Asheton to rest. Rather than honor the anniversary with some staid service, Asheton's legacy was celebrated with the kind of chaotic club show that finally brought the band their long overdue spot in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this year.

A 'Jam for Ron Asheton,' which was put together by his 18-year-old niece, Leanna Asheton, saw the famed Roxy on the Sunset Strip infused with the true spirit of punk on Wednesday night. The concert featured all-star guests along with headliners the Living Things and very impressive turns by up-and-coming acts the Entrance Band and Nighthorse, both of whom were personally invited by the Asheton clan.

The "anything goes" spirit was seen throughout the night. Bassist Mike Watt, who toured with the Stooges in support of their last studio album, 'The Weirdness,' asked the crowd, "Does anybody know 'I Wanna Be Your Dog'?" Being one the Stooges' most famous songs, Watt's question could have been seen as a call to get the audience fired up. Instead, when an audience member raised his hand, Watt brought him onstage and handed him a microphone. The man shined in the moment, twirling the microphone, shaking his hips and got the dream opportunity of rocking out with Stooges drummer Scott Asheton, Watt and saxophonist Steve Mackay.

Watt then led the jam session in a rousing '1969,' which featured Jane's Addiction's Stephen Perkins on drums, followed by the Red Hot Chili Peppers' Chad Smith taking a turn on the skins during the five-song jam. The event was chaotic and crazy, but so was the Stooges' sound and that's how they revolutionized rock 'n' roll.

"I think about that sound in 1969," Perkins said to Spinner backstage after the show, "And I think of Jimi Hendrix, I think of the Grateful Dead. Then you have the Stooges. Detroit f---ing brought it and that's what we're here to celebrate. It's 2010 and we're jamming the Stooges, it's timeless." Amen!

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Inside the Jam for Ron Asheton

Flip through photos of this tribute concert for the late Stooges guitarist. The Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, Calif. January 13, 2009

Joseph Llanes for Spinner