CONGRATS TO THE STOOGES

I was really happy to see Genesis and Jimmy Cliff getting into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tonight. I've been listening to Genesis for almost as long as I've been listening to music, and Jimmy Cliff was the second reggae artist I ever got turned on to (after Bob Marley of course). I like The Hollies. And ABBA... well, I think they belong in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

But for me, and probably many others, it's all about The Stooges. They influenced almost every band who followed that I love. Not every band, but almost every band. Punk rock, "alternative," heavy metal, it wouldn't be the same without them. And their performance tonight was classic Stooges, they were as bad-ass as ever, they didn't water it down for the millionaire audience. They even invited the audience up on stage, and Eddie Vedder, Mike McCready, the Green Day dudes and some non-rock star folks obliged. It was amazing. For a lot of us, it was our first time seeing the band with James Williamson back. I will go to see them wherever they play, whenever they play there. I just read a quote by Henry Rollins, who said that he loves lots of older rock bands, but he isn't too into the idea of seeing guys in their '50s or '60s doing their old hits. Except for The Stooges. I get it. Congrats Iggy Pop, Scott Asheton, Dave Alexander, James Williamson and Ron Asheton. I wish the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame could have given this honor to you last year, so Ron could have been on stage with you guys.

STOOGES "RAW POWER" REISSUED IN APRIL

It makes sense that right after The Stooges are finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and right after they reunited with former guitarist James Williamson, Sony Legacy will  be reissuing the band's sole album for that label, the classic 1973 Raw Power.

The album itself has a weird history. It was sort of the band's "reunion" album, and featured a different lineup.  Iggy Pop forced the late guitarist Ron Asheton to switch to bass, as he brought in Williamson to be the new guitarist. David Bowie mixed the album, much to the chagrin of many fans. For years there were "Bowie-free" bootleg Raw Power albums out there. Then, about ten years ago, Sony had Iggy remix it, and it does sound better (in my opinion anyway).

Now, they are putting out an expanded box set version of the album. The first disc contains the original Bowie mixes, which have been out of print ever since the aforementioned reissue. The second disc is the "Georgia Peaches" bootleg, which was a live concert recorded in 1973 in Georgia. It also includes two previously unreleased songs. Disc three has more unreleased tracks and a few remixed ones.  The box also comes with a doc about the album and a book. I think it's kind of annoying that it doesn't include the last Bowie-free remixed album, but I already have that.  I recommend you get that, and if you love it, check out this box set.

With Williamson back in the band, The Stooges are going to be playing Raw Power start to finish on their tour, which is cool, because they didn't play much of that on their recent tours, sticking instead with the first two albums which featured Ron Asheton on guitar, The Stooges and Funhouse.

THE JAM FOR RON ASHETON

It was a year ago that Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton died. A week from tomorrow, The Roxy in in L.A. will host a tribute concert to the man, which will feature his brother and bandmate, drummer Scott Asheton, Stooges touring bassist (and legend in his own right) Mike Watt and longtime Stooges sax player Steve Mackay, as well as Jane's Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. It is particularly fitting that members of Jane's and the Chili Peppers will be there, as neither bands would have existed without the influence of The Stooges.  Hopefully Iggy Pop will show up also. If you're in L.A., you can get info about tickets here.