EXTINCTION: RIP Ron Asheton

by Susie Wild

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All of Pinter’s christmases came at once, possibly, in 2008. He couldn’t have left us on a more fitting day. Early January 2009 seems far less fitting for a founding member of The Stooges, but alas, so it has come to be for Number 29 on Rolling Stone’s ‘100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.’ 

Ron Asheton, founder member, bassist and guitarist with The Stooges was found dead at his home in Ann Arbor today (January 6) aged 60. The same place The Stooges formed in 1967. According to his local paper, Ann Arbor News:

"His personal assistant contacted police late Monday night after being unable to reach Asheton for days, Detective Bill Stanford said.

"Officers went to the home on Highlake Avenue at around midnight and discovered Asheton’s body on a living-room couch. He appeared to have been dead for at least several days, Stanford said.

"Detective Sgt. Jim Stephenson said the cause of death is undetermined but investigators do not suspect foul play. Autopsy and toxicology results are pending."

The Stooges reformed in 2007 to release their first (wonderfully named) album in three decades, The Weirdness. At the time Asheton said it was "great to be back on the road."

Responsible for the guitar riffs of No Fun and I Wanna Be Your Dog, Asheton traded guitar in for the bass for their third album Raw Power. Watch him in full live glory over on youtube.

 

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