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March 11, 2008

Iggy and the Stooges do Madonna's "Ray of Light"

TDS Editors

Detroit Free Press:

“The Stooges represent everything that’s against what she is,” Asheton told the Free Press from his New York hotel Monday afternoon before the show. “I don’t wish her ill. I don’t hate her or anything. But I’d never even heard of these songs until I had to listen to a tape and figure out what’s going on with them.”

In reality, Asheton said, Madonna asked the Stooges to perform as an act of protest: The group, widely considered a linchpin of early punk, has yet to be inducted by the rock hall, despite six appearances on the nomination ballot. By inviting the group on stage, she sent a message, said Asheton.

Last year’s rock hall ceremony featured a similar demonstration, when the night’s inductees performed the Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog” during a jam session finale.

“Basically she was upset that we’ve been nominated so many times and never made it, so she asked us to play in protest. And it was under those auspices that I thought we were doing it,” Asheton said. “At first I went, ‘Whaaat?’ Then Iggy said, ‘Why don’t you think about it?’”

MTV Newsroom: Madonna Totally Blew Off Mike Watt!:

Anyway, backstage, when Iggy & “The Stooges” made their way to say hey to Madonna in person, Iggy introduced her to his band. He saved his best-for-last intro for his bassist, Mike Watt (ex-Minutemen, fIREHOSE), who is a complete Madonna obsessive. And she totally blew him off like he was just some random session musician dude!

(For you youngins, your entry point into this Mike Watt angle is that his old band, the Minutemen, had their song used as the theme song for “Jackass.” That’s a show that used to be on MTV starring…oh nevermind).

Anyway, did she not know he was, like, totally obsessed with her? Did she not know that he was the reason Sonic Youth and friends did that awesome Ciccone Youth album many, many years ago? Did she not know his cultural relevance???!?

No, she did not.


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5 Comments

#1 McKilla DaNilla says:

That's such a Mike Watt moment though. It shows he really is from San Pedro.

#2 Duke Mentat says:

give her a break. most people don't know who the stooges even are, let alone mike watt. she's a busy woman. aren't we all just fans of madonna because of the radio's role in introducing us? when's the last time you heard ANYTHING off of Funhouse or Raw Power on the radio?

no one's a bigger iggy fan than me. but at this point the stooges are just indie-rock-punk lore. madonna's never missed as bad as skull ring.

#3 Steven Patrick Morrissey says:

madonna is a puke stain on iggy's underwear. madonna got where she is by following trends and impeccable timing. she's a businesswoman and an entertainer and if you really believe sales and radio play are the criteria that determined a legend than that's your real deal.

for those who like music and want substance, we know the real deal. madonna is a female, less talented and visionary david bowie copycat.

#4 phoney: says:

If Madonna genuinely felt that strongly about the Stooges not being inducted (to the point of orchestrating a "protest" performance), then it seems to me she'd know enough about the band to know who Mike Watt is . . .

So it looks like the Stooges got played by Madonna because the only net-outcome here is that the Stooges played a Madonna song, increasing her temporary relevance when she's promoting a new release. Kind of like when Madonna and Britney gave each other that heartfelt tongue-lashing.

And it looks like I got played by Madonna because I'm spending my time commenting here . . .

(don't be too amused: you got played by virtue of spending your time reading this story)

#5 2RealEstateMidgets says:

Madonna should know who Mike Watt is. She dated Henry Rollins long enough to soak up his record collection to know.


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