James Williamson's Interview

Here it is, an exclusive interview with the man who needs no introduction to Iggy and the Stooges fans...six stringer extraordinaire "Straight" James Williamson!



1. 'Raw Power' and 'Kill City' are considered "classics" by many fans and critics. Do you agree? Why or why not?

In the sense that it is a unique and authoritative work, I'd agree. Nothing before or after it has sounded quite like it. It was a stand alone effort.

2. Back in the early 70s, you had a "dark" sort of image with the make-up and the black clothes. Was that an extension of your personality, or was it just experimentation?

Is there a differance between an "extension of your personality" and "experimentation"? Yes. However, the darkness aspect was overrated. Those who know me, know that I'm actually a little shy and certainly reserved so that can come off as dark sometimes.

3. If the original line-up of Iggy and the Stooges did in fact succeed, where do you think the band would have went?

If I understand you question, you are asking if the two guitar lineup had succeeded? If this is what you are asking, its impossible to answer other than, we had started working up new material as you can hear on the new release 1971 from easyaction records...beyound that it's anybody's guess.

Regarding the 72'-74' lineup, I think we would have continued to evolve new material...in all likely hood we would have done the album Kill City with the stooge or at least alot of that material and is its totally appropriate that the reunited Iggy and the Stooges have that material to draw on as well....of course what's ifs very hard to determine, but we were truely evolving very rapidly and it could have become really interesting....well it did become really interesting, but I just mean it could have taken on very new and differant directions...who knows?

4. What do you believe it would have taken to gain commercial success in '73 and '74?

You needed very accessible music...like pop music...catchy tunes, that sort of thing which we were never about..people didn't want to think too much, they just wanted to sing along to the radio...still do I guess.

5. I understand that Columbia Records recorded a show on New Year's Eve of '73. Is this true? If it is, will you and/or Iggy see to it that it is released?

I'm not sure about that, I vaguely recall discussions about that but all I remember was our rehersals being taped (not videoed)

6. When you heard about the death of Ron Asheton, what was your reaction?

I was intially shocked, then sad that Ron should pass away at such a young age. However, as time passed I was comforted in the knowledge that he went out doing what he wanted to do most, which was playing with the Stooges. You know none of us are getting out of here alive, so you've got to do your best to make things the way you want them.

I also wanted to add that Ron Ashton was a great guitar player in his own right. I had known him intially as the bass player in one of the last incarnations of my first band the Chosen Few. However, after he went on the found the Stooges with Iggy and his brother Scott along with Dave, I became one of their biggest fans. I saw them playing from day 1 in their house in Ann Arbor long before I was ever in the band.

Ron made a meaningful and lasting contribution to music and he'll be sorely missed by all those who ever rocked out to the Stooges.

7. Since you have rejoined the band, were there any restrictions and conditions that you felt had to be met?

Just that we were a band.

8. According to Iggy, most (if not all of) 'Raw Power' will be performed. Will there be songs performed that didn't make it on 'Raw Power' such as 'I'm Sick of You,' Cock in my Pocket,' and 'I Got a Right?'

No doubt. We're working on all of those that you mention and many, many more, however the final set list has not been decided yet.

9. When performing the 'Raw Power' tracks, will the various additional instrumentations (such as the celeste, acoustic guitar, and piano) be recreated?

No, probably not as we're going out as a simple line up.

10. Finally, does rejoining the band mean that you can make-up for the mistakes that were made 35 years ago? Why or why not?

Mistakes?, what mistakes? Anyway, certainly one mistake that we will correct is that we will perform songs that the audience actually knows this time around. It should make for a more enjoyable experience for all concerned.