Iggy Pop, Jim Jarmusch and ‘Gimme Danger’
In front of a Detroit audience following the premiere of the film “Gimme Danger”, Iggy Pop and Jim Jarmusch talk about making a film about one of rock music’s most influential bands, The Stooges
On October 25, 2016, the Detroit Film Theatre was one of two places in the U.S. to premiere the film “Gimme Danger,” an in-depth look The Stooges told through the eyes of its lead singer and founder, Iggy Pop.
He and filmmaker Jim Jarmusch talked with WDET’s Ann Delisi for the “Essential Conversations” podcast in front of an enthusiastic Detroit audience that had just watched the film.
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During The Stooges heyday, capturing footage of live bands was not as easy or prevalent as it is today, so getting the footage to support Iggy Pop’s stories was a challenge that Jarmusch answered by working with Ben Blackwell at Third Man Records as well as taking over a year to get clearance of historical photos used in the film. Jarmusch interviewed Iggy for 14 hours to tell The Stooges’ story and Jarmusch was the perfect person to do so given that he had been a Stooge fan for most of his life:
“These were bands that spoke to me because it wasn’t the California hippie music, it wasn’t British stuff, it was working-class, ass-kicking incredible rock and roll.” — Jim Jarmusch, filmmaker
For decades, The Stooges have been cited as a major influence for countless rock bands, but Stooges fans have been dedicated for years with a whole new generation of music enthusiasts discovering the raw unbridled power of the bands music.
Delisi asked Iggy Pop why, decades later, fans are still passionate about this band.
“I don’t know, and it surprises me everyday. It doesn’t surprise me intellectually, but it surprises me personally and emotionally.” — Iggy Pop, The Stooges
During the interview, Iggy Pop talks about his well-documented and dangerous performances, The Stooges experience signing with a major record label, Elektra Records, and the influence of activist John Sinclair.
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Ann Delisi’s “Essential Conversations” is sponsored by:
