Valentine's Day - Love is in the air. And on my iPod I'm playing Iggy and the Stooges' last stand as documented on Metallic KO. Who said I wasn't romantic?
This low-fi / high energy album was mostly recorded at their last gig (until 2003) at the Michigan Palace on February 9th 1974. I'm just a few days out for the 40th anniversary of this incredible show.
It's a legendary gig, but not for the music that was played that night, which does not really show the full power of this band at all, rather for the drama that surrounded it.
The background story surrounding this gig is well known - a local biker gang has been causing trouble at Detroit gigs for some time. A few days before the gig Iggy is interviewed on a Detroit radio show, and (in retrospect, very foolishly) dares the gang to show up at the Michigan Palace gig and 'do your worst'. Predictably they do (show up, and do their worst). Armed with all manner of debris to throw at the stage the gang begins the barrage right from the start of the gig.
Ron Asheton wears his German army helmet for protection, James Williamson skulks at the back of the stage in the shadows, trying not to be seen, Iggy has to be even more fleet-footed across the stage than usual. The two Scotts (Asheton and Thurston) are literally sitting ducks behind drums and piano. Trying to dodge missiles causes Scotty A to lose his way during "Rich Bitch" and the whole song nearly derails completely.
At first Iggy seems defiantly unbothered by the violence and continues to amuse himself baiting the crowd and especially the bikers, but halfway through the set the Stooges have had enough. "Oh there's two guys left the stage" announces Iggy, actually sounding a little dismayed, "we're all gonna have to leave, see ya later".
After a few minutes respite Iggy somehow persuaded the band to return but they were met with a further hail. Even Iggy couldn't believe it and his comments to the crowd are far more subdued after they return to the stage. The band agree to play just one more song, a final, weary, ragged "Louie Louie", which grinds to a halt as light bulbs hit James' guitar and he walks off.
The Stooges had a handful of dates lined up for the rest of February but two days later Iggy called Ron to say that he simply doesn't want to play anymore. The Stooges are finally over.
But they weren't. Who'd have thought that in 2003 the nucleus of the band - Iggy and the Asheton brothers - would reunite? The sad death of Ron Asheton in 2009 didn't even stop the Stooges. James Williamson took early retirement from his senior corporate job at Sony. Despite not having played guitar since 1980 he rehearsed furiously and rejoined the band. And so, 40 years after their 'final' gig, most of the Stooges are still going strong.
What a band!
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