Iggy Pop In Conversation

The “candid, bare-all account” from Pop marks the first time the history of the punk rock pioneers has been told entirely in the legendary musician’s own words. Readers will get a look at “the incredible tragic and triumphant story of a group who rose from youth, fell prey to drugs, alcohol, and music biz realities, collapsed and nearly 30 years later reformed, recording and touring to great acclaim.”

Gold and contributor Johan Kugelberg spent two days interviewing Pop at his Miami home for the book, which includes a collection of never-before-seen images. Additional contributors include Jon Savage (author of “England’s Dreaming”), Joan Jett, Johnny Marr and Jack White.

“It was a rare privilege to sit with Iggy as he downloaded the story of The Stooges,” Gold said. “He’s an incredible storyteller with a fantastic memory and a great sense of humor, and he held nothing back. The Stooges were pioneers in sound, look, and live presentation, and along the way invented a genre – punk rock – and influenced countless others that followed. There was no precedent in rock music for what they did. They’re definitely the only group in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame who started out playing an amplified Waring blender, a vacuum cleaner, spring water bottles and a 200 gallon oil drum.”

In addition to being a music historian, author and music memorabilia collector, Gold is a former record label executive who worked with the likes of Iggy, Prince, and R.E.M. as the executive vice president/general manager of Warner Bros. Records and a VP at A&M records. He earned a Best Album Package Grammy for Suzanne Vega’s Days Of Open Hand, consulted for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Experience Music Project, and has appeared as an expert on PBS’ “History Detectives.”

Iggy and Gold will appear Oct. 25 in Detroit at Third Man Records Cass Corridor and on Nov. 4 in New York City at Rizzoli Bookstore. The events are open to the public and admittance is first come, first serve. Check with the venues for more information.

“Total Chaos: The Story of The Stooges” is due out Nov. 15 from Third Man Books.