Scott Asheton, drummer of The Stooges has passed away aged 64.
The drummer passed away on saturday (March 15), as was announced by Iggy Pop; the Stooges frontman describing Asheton as being “like my brother”.
Having temporarily retired following a stroke in 2011, Asheton returned to record The Stooges’ 2013 album ‘Ready To Die’, but was unable to tour due to health concerns. The cause of his death has not yet been confirmed.
In tribute to his former bandmate, Iggy wrote:
“My dear friend Scott Asheton passed away last night. Scott was a great artist, I have never heard anyone play the drums with more meaning than Scott Asheton. He was like my brother.
He and Ron have left a huge legacy to the world. The Ashetons have always been and continue to be a second family to me. My thoughts are with his sister Kathy, his wife Liz and his daughter Leanna, who was the light of his life.”
Often noted as the group that laid the foundations for Punk-rock, Scott Asheton founded The Stooges along with his brother Ron, who passed away in 2009. Other founding members were Dave Alexander and Iggy Pop, and together they released their self-titled debut back 1969, with ‘Fun House’ coming the following year; their masterpiece ‘Raw Power’ making its impact on the world in 1973.
The Stooges split in 1974, and following this, Asheton worked with several artists, including Sonic’s Rendezvous Band, the Scott Morgan Band, Dark Carnival and Sonny Vincent.
Iggy Pop is now the only remaining original member of The Stooges.
