RIP Ron Asheton: The Stooges – 1969

Posted in Song of the Week. Written by Albert Costill on January 6th, 2009

2009 has the potential to be an historic year, especially with the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20. However, I’m sure that a lot of people will look back and celebrate the fortieth anniversaries of the moon landing, Woodstock, the assassination of Bobby Kennedy and the end of The Beatles. There will also be a look back at the Vietnam War and the anti-war demonstrations, which would include John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s bed-in and “Give Peace A Chance”.

1969 was also the debut of David Bowie with “Space Oddity” and album debuts from Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley & The Wailers, and The Stooges.

The Stooges self-titled release featured the single “1969″, which Iggy said was “a really weird fucking year” when I had the privilege of seeing Iggy & The Stooges, which I guess he always said. “1969″ would go on to be covered by Joe Strummer during live performances and Joey Ramone on his album Don’t Worry About Me.

Even though I saw them in 2008, the band still played with the energy that electrified music lovers forty years ago. They still sounded fresh, like an upcoming band out to prove that they could set the world on fire. I thought that these guys could go on for another forty years. So, it was an unexpected and sad moment when I heard that Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton passed away today.

If you’re not familiar with The Stooges, then you should be ashamed of yourself. These guys influenced everyone from the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones, Black Flag, R.E.M., Sonic Youth, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Rage Against The Machine, Jack White and the Black Keys, just to name a few. Hands down, they were one of the most influential bands ever.

Here’s to remembering some historic events from 1969 and the awesome work that Ron Asheton left the world.

Enjoy “1969″ live from Detroit in 2004.

Image via Wikipedia