The industrial pounding emanating from the heavy metal factories, the gallons of beer chugged by the hardworking people from the factories and the overall “Fuck You” attitude of the non-nonsense citizens of Detroit, Michigan created a unique demand for music that kicked some ass. As a result the city (and neighboring Ann Arbor) spawned some of the most awesome rock n’ roll bands in the history of music. From the high energy R&B of the Motown sound, to the spicy Latino rock n’ roll of ? and the Mysterians to soul/rock n’ roll from Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, the rock n’ roll haven of Detroit liked its music raw and to the point. In the late 60’s the Grande Ballroom was the place where the big touring bands would play and the local boys would open and really give the headliners tough acts to follow. Two of these bands really stood out from the rest. One of these local bands was focused on the political revolution of the time called the MC5 and the other was a band always searching and evolving. That band was the former Psychedelic Stooges now just called The Stooges.

A band who started out pounding on huge oil drums with a singer wearing a tutu doesn’t seem like one likely to change how people perceive rock music. Going from a performance art act to primitive, monolithic rockers to funky jazz and finally to booty shakin’ blues rock n’ sleaze, they carved their niche with a fucking chainsaw.

A large size and suitably heavy hardcover coffee table book about the legendary Michigan rock band seemed unlikely but this band has merited two with the Robert Matheu release being the first. This new book features page after page of interesting and sometimes impossibly rare memorabilia telling the story of The Stooges. Combined with Iggy being grilled about the facts and sometimes talking about specific items pictured along with the text, it is a treasure trove for Stooges fanatics. Author Jeff Gold has acquired many rare and historically important artifacts. The letters and contracts from the Elektra years are on full display and are fascinating. We learn the crushing news that the band owed the label so much money after the light sales of the first two records that they were expected to notify the label about any upcoming gigs so that they could intercept the band show payment. Put together with much care and respect, the book is essential to your rock n’ roll library.