Iggy Pop Confirms Stooges 2010 Tour

Will test the waters initially with a gig in Brazil this week.

By Fred Mills

Two months ago word began circulating that Stooges frontman Iggy Pop had been in conversations with Raw Power-era guitarist James Williamson about the possibility of resuming operations as the Stooges. Williamson, bassist Mike Watt, drummer Scott Asheton and saxman Steve Mackay subsequently did some rehearsing together in L.A. to see if they could generate chemistry on par with what the Stooges had with the late Ron Asheton.

Now, speaking to the BBC yesterday, Iggy Pop has confirmed that the new Williamson incarnation of the band will indeed be mounting a full tour next year.

Said the singer, "We're bringing The Stooges back next year. They've been rehearsing more without me than with me because I've been doing other things this year. But we have been rehearsing all together more recently and they kept going without me again last week. We're going to be doing a one off show in Brazil in a few weeks but the real touring starts next year."

The Stooges are doing the Planeta Terra Festival in Brazil this week (Nov. 7) and have already scheduled a UK appearance next May 2-3 at the All Tomorrow's Parties fest. Full tour dates have yet to be announced.

Iggy added that Asheton won't be soon forgotten, however: "We're all very sorry about Ron. His spirit within the group remains with the rest of us and he is still a presence within the group without being on the physical plain."