Book Review: Iggy Pop: Open Up & Bleed by Paul Trynka

Well, it would appear that my summer reading list has a theme.  As usual, I am obsessed with music.  Moreover, I can't stop reading about the early 1970s.  It was a time filled with strong characters and among them Iggy Pop stands tallest.

By all accounts, I'm surprised that Iggy Pop has survived this long.  After spending a good 25 years heavily abusing drugs, mutilating himself on stage, and taking enormous risks, it's surprising that anyone could sustain that lifestyle. But Iggy did, perhaps its part of his genius.  It's definitely what makes him so interesting.  In Open Up & Bleed, Paul Trynka takes a look at James Osterberg from the very beginning.  As a quick-witted over-acheiving child, he charmed fellow students and teachers.  Later in life, he formed bands that would introduce him to the people who eventually make up the Stooges.  Through the ups and downs of his career, it was his charm and wit that opened up new situations.  As the book details his life and career, it seems Iggy has a penchant for self-destruction.  But perhaps his creativity needed to rise out of the ashes like a phoenix, a shirtless, angry phoenix.  He seems to possess a duality of personality, yin and yang to the extreme.  On one side Jim Osterberg is intelligent, nurturing and level-headed.  Iggy, on the other hand, is frantic, creative, restless and eager to create a commotion.  Together, they created most influential music of the time.

Iggy's influence cannot be discounted.  Early punk bands not only covered his songs, but aped his style and attitude.  Although he never appreciated at this time, always one step ahead of the status quo, he deserves his place in the pantheon of rock goods.

Open Up & Bleed is a fun read, for the antics and travails of Iggy Pop.  It's also interesting for a look at musical history.