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Ron Asheton, Stooges guitarist, found dead at 60

by Jarrett Martineau | January 6, 2009 at 10:50 am

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Ron Asheton, guitarist for The Stooges has died at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the age of 60.

Asheton co-founded the legendary American rock group along with his brother Scott and front-man, punk rock icon, Iggy Pop.

He also performed with bands including The New Order (not the same as the UK new wave group), Destroy All Monsters, and New Race, as well as with artists such as J. Mascis (of Dinosaur Jr.) and Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth.

Ron Asheton was perhaps best known for his memorable guitar riffs on Stooges classics such as "Search and Destroy", "TV Eye" and "I Wanna Be Your Dog".

Asheton, 60, was found on his couch and appeared to have been dead for several days, Ann Arbor Police Sgt. Brad Hill said.
"We do not expect foul play," Hill said.

Police were called to Asheton's home shortly after midnight after an acquaintance reported that he had been unable to contact him for several days.

Asheton's brother, Scott, is the drummer for The Stooges. The pair were founding members of the band formed in 1967 in Ann Arbor along with front-man Iggy Pop.

Other members of The Stooges were shocked to learn of Asheton's death and the band have released the following statement.

The Stooges have released a statement following the death of guitarist and founding member Ron Asheton. “We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron’s death. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed,” reads the statement from Iggy Pop, Scott Asheton, Mike Watt and the band’s management. “For all that knew him behind the facade of Mr. Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not.
“As a musician Ron was ‘The Guitar God’, idol to follow and inspire others. That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him,” the statement continues. Iggy Pop adds, “I am in shock. He was my best friend.”

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Secular

at 11:56 on January 6th, 2009

January 1974, Toronto. We were fans of The Stooges in their original incarnation, so had serious misgivings regarding the "new" group (and their association with David Bowie). Ron on bass? But hey, Raw Power was ferocious and there was no way we were gonna miss "Iggy and The Stooges" when they rolled through town. I'm not sure what we expected, but I think we got "more". I can honestly say, this show "changed my life" and it all comes back when I look through the blurry slides I shot (with a borrowed Kodak Pony and minimal skills). By the way, Ron was (surprise) one bad ass on the bass guitar.

R.I.P. Ron Asheton.

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