Born James Jewel Osterberg. IGGY POP began his musical career as a drummer for various local bands in the mid West but graduated to becoming a frontman by the time he was 19. The young singer's journey to notoriety accelerated with the formation of THE STOOGES. Iggy taught the drummer how to play, the guitarist had only previously played bass and the bassist had no musical experience whatsoever.

Before choosing his stage name of IGGY POP the man toyed with other nom de guerre's such as Junior John, Jimmy James and Lance Rokkit. (The latter would be adopted by the guitarist from 80's British Glamsters WRATHCHILD).

Iggy's debut post THE STOOGES outing 1977's 'The Idiot' was produced by DAVID BOWIE. Iggy had previously made an appearance on the former's 'Low' album. Bowie had struck a close frienship with Iggy during this period when Pop was exorcising himself from heroin addiction.

The studio band included erstwhile TODD RUNDGREN band members bassist Tony Sales and drummer Hunt Sales along with guitarists Carlos Alomar and ex BEGGARS OPERA man Ricky Gardiner. Both Alomar and Gardiner were also members of Bowie's band. The album included the Pop / Bowie collaboration 'China Girl', years later a huge hit for DAVID BOWIE.

Later the same year guitarist Stacey Heydon and keyboard player Scott Thurston were drafted for the 'Lust For Life' sessions.

His 1978 band saw Thurston's services retained and the inclusion of MC5's Fred Smith on guitar, bassist Gary Rassmussen and former STOOGES colleague drummer Scott Asheton. The Sales brothers rhythm section would much later turn up as part of DAVID BOWIE's band TIN MACHINE.

In 1979 it was all change again with Iggy signing to Arista Records putting together a band of seasoned veterans in the form of Thurston, former TANGERINE DREAM drummer Klaus Kreuger and bassist Jackie Clarke. The resulting album 'New Values' was produced by James Williamson.

Thurston would bail out to found THE MOTELS and 1980's 'Soldier' album predictably had an all new roll call. Kreuger maintained his position on drums with new faces comprising ex-SEX PISTOLS bassist Glen Matlock, former PATTI SMITH guitarist Ivan Kral and Barry Andrews of XTC on keyboards. The accompanying tour had Billy Rath of THE HEARTBREAKERS on bass guitar. Iggy meantime was yet again in the throes of drug addiction and his habit would blight both his music and creativity over the next few years.

Andrews would jump ship to join SHRIEKBACK as Iggy and Kral put together the 1981 'Party' record with guitarist Rob DuPrey, bassist Michael Page, keyboard player Richard Sohl and drummer Douglas Browne. Touring saw the inclusion of BLONDIE members Chris Stein on guitar and Clem Burke on drums.

A new album 'Zombie Birdhouse' saw a switch to the Chrysalis subsidiary Animal Records.

1984 had Iggy involved with the movies taking an acting role in the 'Sid And Nancy' movie as well as contributing to the soundtrack of the cult movie 'Repo Man'. This step into acting would act as a catalyst for Iggy's mid 80's renaissance.

Iggy returned to music for 1986's 'Blah Blah Blah' album. The record, which renewed Iggy's relationship with DAVID BOWIE, also put Iggy back into the charts. Aiding in the studio was erstwhile SEX PISTOLS guitarist STEVE JONES, guitarist Kevin Armstrong and bassist Erdal Kizilcay. The album spawned Iggy's biggest hit to date with his version of JOHNNY O'KEEFE's 50's track 'Real Wild Child' reaching the British top ten.

The 1988 follow up 'Instinct' maintained the union with STEVE JONES. New band members were ex-PSYCHEDELIC FURS drummer Paul Garristo, keyboard player Seamus Beaghan and bassist Leigh Foxx. Touring in 1988 and HANOI ROCKS guitarist ANDY McCOY taking the bass role as Foxx joined DEBORAH HARRY's band. Jones was also out of the picture pursuing his solo career and Alvin Gibbs of the British Punk veterans UK SUBS took his place.

The 1990 album 'Brick By Brick' saw GUNS N' ROSES men guitarist Slash and bassist DUFF McKAGAN contributing alongside drummer Kenny Aronoff. The album included the single 'Candy' which found Iggy dueting with Kate Pierson of the B52'S.

Iggy would also share a lead vocal with DEBORAH HARRY on the 1990 AIDS benefit single, a version of the 1971 NANCY SINATRA & LEE HAZLEWOOD hit 'Did You Evah'.

GUNS N' ROSES would later cut 'Raw Power' by IGGY POP & THE STOOGES on their 1993 covers album 'The Spaghetti Incident'. Iggy meantime cut the 'Wild America' interim EP with U2's Larry Mullen on drums, guitarists Malcolm Burns and Eric Schermhorn and bassist Howell Cragin.

The movies came into Iggy's career once more when 'Lust For Life' was featured extensively in the hit movie 'Trainspotting'. Consequently second time around the song broke into the British charts. His 1996 touring band comprised of guitarist Whitey Kirst, bassist Howell Cragin and drummer Larry Mullens. Joining them at the last minute for the 'R.O.A.R.' tour was former GENOCIDE, MOURNING NOISE and SAMHAIN guitarist Pete Marshall.

1998 found Iggy back in the public consciousness when his 1977 cult track 'The Passenger' was used in a major TV promotion for Toyota cars. Re-released the song hit number 22 in the British charts.

The man guested on vocals for Texan outfit AT THE DRIVE IN's 'Relationship Of Command' 2000 album. Dabbling with acting as an aside to his musical endeavours Iggy has appeared in an episode of 'Miami Vice' and in the movies 'Cry Baby', 'Hardware' and Paul Newman's 'The Color Of Money'.

IGGY POP's 2003 studio album 'Skull Ring' would see collaborations in the song writing department with members of Nu-Punk band GREEN DAY. Guesting on the album would be Ron & Scott Asheton of THE STOOGES, marking their first work together since the historic 1973 'Raw Power' album.