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Early Retirement Helped James Williamson Rejoin the Stooges

Posted on Mar 12th 2010 6:12AM by Julian Marszalek

As they ready themselves to unleash a full-concert rendition of their 1973 proto-punk classic 'Raw Power,' Iggy and the Stooges' guitarist James Williamson has revealed that he was asked to take part in the band's initial reunion in 2003, but had to turn the gig down due to a punishing schedule of ... board meetings.

Having quit rock 'n' roll in 1980, Williamson left behind the excesses of the previous decade to join the then-nascent microchip industry before rising to the position of Vice President of Technology Standards at Sony Electronics. It was this job that prevented Williamson from rejoining his erstwhile bandmates.

However, events took a very weird turn. Original Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton died of a heart attack in February of 2009 and the global recession offered Williamson an opportunity to pick up his guitar again, 29 years later.

Speaking to the Guardian, Williamson said: "I told [Stooges singer Iggy Pop] I had a full-time job and couldn't do it. Then the recession caught up with Sony and they offered me early retirement. And then I remembered the Stooges."

Williamson's first gig with the reformed Iggy and the Stooges was in front of 30,000 people in Sao Paulo, Brazil last November.

"It's really strange to be doing it now," Williamson told the paper. "We're basically pensioners. It's fun, but nobody wants to get so old that playing rock 'n' roll becomes a joke."

For Iggy Pop, it's business as usual. He says, "I'm pleased to report that James has now learned to use his intelligence in balance with his more impulsive, aggressive side."

Iggy and the Stooges will play 'Raw Power' in its entirety at London's All Tomorrow's Parties festival on May 2 and 3.

Iggy and the Stooges Play 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' Live

Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, UK
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Eddy in R.I.

IGGY POP-The Stooges, The Runaways, The Ramones,Dead Kennedys, who would say they never heard of these rockstars? Ya gotta be livin' under a rock for yrs. IF ya never heard of the "STOOGES" or IGGY. SHEEZ, I'll bet the dope never heard of C.B.G.B.'s or the Mud Club. Get a life

March 14 2010 at 7:54 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

dansamga

I am still so bummed out that ROn Ashton is gopne. What an awesome contribution he has made to Rock/Punk. His bro is still hitting the drums and Iggy with Mike Watt are bound to be superb with James Williamson rejoining the group. I went to Detroit for the first reunion of the Stooges in 2003 and would do it again to see the band with James back on guitar. For those of you who don't know who these guys are, you have no idea what you have missed - better catch up soon while they are still touring.

March 14 2010 at 5:37 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

upurs

well what are you talking about???..have you heard this garbage.."kiidie" stuff they call music???...generation gap my a&&....jeeze...the rich families of america used our government to gut the music industry..so they could put sublime msic in place,back when we were free thinkers ....we scared them...they couldn't control us...so they brought out the militia...how soon you people forget...now there is no music..just a bunch of overpaid people with instruments who sing and dance...big deal...!..the music is about as interesting as watching grass grow..!

March 14 2010 at 4:06 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

reverbnation.comhipster

I'm only Five Foot One. I got a pain in my neck, from looking up in the city, what the hell, what the heck! A bottle of Aspirin, a sackful of Jokes, I wish I could go home with all the Big Folks! Welcome back Iggy. The youngsters have nothing around like you!.... I wish life could be... Swedish Magazines!

March 14 2010 at 3:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Dee

I LOVE Iggy, but he really needs to start wearing a shirt now!!

March 14 2010 at 1:40 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

irocker350

Yes! I'm kinda surprised that I'm still around.
even more surprised that a lot of these guys are still around and kicking ass
I'm 53 and still like hard rock and old school punk, and I do like the newer rock and punk as well
but the younger posters that are putting these guys down can only hope to last as long.
the newer bands might not ever be nearly as influential as a lot of the bands we grew up with that pretty much invented a genre that is still around.
and you know what? it is very gratifying to see younger people enjoying the old school rock, punk, metal.
We, the "old" guys, been there, done that and are still doing it till we drop dead

March 14 2010 at 1:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to irocker350's comment

shyinarizona

You got that right John!

March 14 2010 at 1:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Glen

I have seen alot of shows but none of them are as great as IGGY. You should see him before you put him down.

Irish who do you like?

March 13 2010 at 11:59 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

GacyHorror

what's the deal with all the retards and the lame unfunny "3 stooges" jokes? the joke's on you if you never heard this band. losers.

March 13 2010 at 11:17 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

WBO

very cool-as a musician myself,I hope to be playing at that age-congrats................

March 13 2010 at 11:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Roy Root

Williamson and Asheton used to be considered too primitive in most circles. It's about time they got their due as innovators and some of the most emotional , expressive musicians in the so-called punk movement.They changed many muscians' lives. - Roy RootAj

March 13 2010 at 10:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply