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Iggy Pop A Million in Prizes - The Iggy Pop Anthology Virgin Records

      The Stooges, although never a massive commercial success, were undeniably an essential ingredient in the development of punk rock. In fact they were so important and influential that members of what are known to be the two all time greatest punk bands, The Ramones and the Sex Pistols, idolized Iggy and the Stooges. The Stooges were formed in 1967 after Iggy witnessed a Doors concert in Chicago, IL. For the next year, the group toured fiercely throughout the Midwest, earning a dubious reputation for their wild, primitive performances, which ironically were also largely reviled. In particular, Iggy gained attention for his bizarre and shocking onstage behavior. Sometimes performing shirtless he would smear food, such as steaks and peanut butter, on his body. He was also known for cutting himself with shards of glass and unexpectedly diving into entranced audiences.

      The Stooges were infamous for their risqué’ antics so naturally they acquired a wildly devoted following, and also a following that despised their whacky ways. Regardless, the group worked with an Elektra talent scout and signed onto a major-label record. Their debut album was self-titled and released in 1969. Unfortunately they only managed to sell a few copies in the underground scene. As the band recorded their second album, each member became increasingly more dependent on alcohol and drugs. Their exaggerated substance abuse and deviant behaviors began to show at concerts. Eventually it became so bad they could hardly hold a chord. In 1970 Funhouse was released and sold even fewer copies than their debut. After the release of that album the band dismembered, as Iggy drowned deeper and deeper into his destructive heroin addiction.

      For the next few years Iggy weaned himself of heroin and worked various jobs while the band seemed to be in a state of very uncertainty. That quickly changed in early 1972 when a run-in with David Bowie became a monumental meeting. With Bowie’s help the Stooges landed a deal with Columbia and released their final album "Raw Power." This was the release of the wildly popular "Search and Destroy," whose list of covers is as impressive as it is long. "Gimme Danger," "Shake Appeal," and "Raw Power" of the same album are also featured on various soundtracks and are known for their paramount success.

      After the dismemberment of the noteworthy band "The Stooges," Pop took some time off for a couple of years. After his brief hiatus he moved on to a successful solo career that sprinkled itself into mainstream audiences while never losing the flickering flames of his intense punk spirit. In 1977 Iggy released two David Bowie-produced albums The Idiot and "Lust for Life." These records expanded on his exclusive trademark of being a hard-core rock & roll artist, to also incorporate a softer, more pop-oriented sound that in turn increased his listeners. Songs such as "Nightclubbing," "China Girl," "Fun Time," and "The Passenger" were releases of these albums and have had long-term success, appeal, and many renditions made of them. Although Iggy is a world-wide legend The Idiot remains his highest-charting album, peaking at number 72 in America.

      However, Pop had a craving to return to his more aggressive, excited roots while recording with former Stooges guitarist James Williamson in the late 70’s. Albums Eye Live and New Values are the releases of their work. In the 80’s Soldier and Party followed a somewhat similar format to the sound of the later 70’s work, although they were recorded with various backing bands. Also in the early 80’s Zombie Birdhouse was released and was known to be a more varied collection of works. Mainly these albums were overlooked and Iggy termed them as the ‘lost weekend’ of the 80’s.

      After the release of Zombie Birdhouse, Pop took some time off returning fours later to release the popular Bowie-produced album Blah-Blah-Blah. Instinct and Brick by Brick were released the following years. Brick by Brick was his most commercially successful album, producing his first Top 40 hit "Candy." "Candy" showing up in several movies and soundtracks is still a popular request today.

      After the release of Brick by Brick, Iggy moved on to begin a side-line acting career. It happened almost by accident and came to him with great ease. He first appeared in "Sid and Nancy" and Paul Neumens’ "The Color of Money." He also appeared in the John Waters’ release "Cry Baby" with actor Johnny Depp. These co-stars later worked on another movie together and in 1995 "Dead Man" was released. "The Crow," "Snow Day," "Coffee & Cigarettes," along with assorted movies and numerous TV appearances proves his accomplishments in acting are as impressive as in his music releases.

      His first album released after Brick by Brick was the 1993 release of American Caesar which included a tweaked out version of "Louie, Louie." In 1996 Naughty Little Doggie and Nude & Rude: The Best of Iggy Pop were both released. The jazzy, soulful album Avenue B was released in 1999 that featured the cover "Shakin’ all Over," which appeared on numerous collections. Beat ‘em Up was released in 2001 and had the 13-minute long track "V.I.P." In 2003 Skull Ring was released and features collaborations with Green Day and Sum 41, as well as the Ashton brothers.

      After five decades of being the rock star that he is, Iggy has released A Million in Prizes. This album treats listeners to 37 tracks that are chronologically sequenced on 2 discs. Some may say this piece of punk has been released as a means to hold us over while audiences anxiously wait for a definitive box set. It is not enough that the Stooges literally godfathered Punk Rock, Garage Rock and American Heavy Metal, or that Iggy went on to become a world-wide phenomenon in the 90’s, you really have to describe him as a universal legend.

-Christine Beals 07/29/05