IGGY POP backstage Interview 1983 by Ron Young, San Antonio Texas

Iggy Pop interviewed Feb 26, 1983 backstage before his performance at the Bonham Exchange in San Antonio Texas by veteran music writer Ron Young (It's Only Rock N Roll fanzine/ San Antonio Light newspaper). Ron gave me a copy of this interview before his death in 2017. I don't claim any rights to it but think he would like it to be available to the public for history's sake. Ron was the first San Antonio journalist to support and cover local punk and new wave bands as well as being a celebrated singer and songwriter. He will be missed.

[@mike196212]

He's ALWAYS a neat,friendly and funny interview---even when he's a wreck. He's smart and insightful.

[@nazfrde]

I met him after a show in 1982 on the Party tour and he was a totally sweet guy. One of the nicest famous people you'd ever want to meet.

[@inrainbowman]

but u didnt meet him lol

[@ndesdsadfd]

I don't think you would know anyway. @@inrainbowman

[@rockdanger]

He probably just wanted to bang you or get some free drugs if you were holding

[@lamelame1779]

I really like the interviewer. He's a very polite dude and doesn't talk down to iggy

[@sherylF5610]

Iggy is a very intelligent dude. Often surprises people.

[@markboland8197]

You mean "try" to talk down to him. If any of these people think they are larger than JIm Osterberg, they are fooling themselves.

[@Vibeagain]

honk! ​@@markboland8197

[@dianwilson4840]

He's more brilliant and insightful when he's wrecked-high than most people I've known in my life.

[@Vibeagain]

You might have upped your cohorts then?

[@blengteng]

Zombie Birdhouse is a really underrated record in Iggy’s discography. Weird, off the wall and rocking. Never seen this interview before. Thanks for uploading it!

[@kurtp8833]

I've never seen the ratings for Iggy Pop's albums. Where is that?

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Yeah that’s a great album that’s often ignored. Much better than the two albums that preceded it, and definitely better than anything that came after, all the way up to Post Pop Depression. Always loved Zombie Birdhouse.

[@TheChadTI]

/Agreed.

[@maovslandlords9244]

@@kurtp8833 Probably from most popular to least popular.

[@wrd980]

Iggy is truly an artist. They don’t make artists like him anymore!!

[@xox6663]

They'd get cancelled right away. Some people were just born in the right time to become legends..... That's Iggy!!!!!!

[@Shikta-poobah67]

@@xox6663Except Iggy kind of was canceled in his time, or at least when the Stooges were rolling (the first time around). The radio wouldn’t touch him/them, the press smeared them/him (if they weren’t simply ignoring him altogether), and a lot of other bands refused to play on the same bill with them/him. It wasn’t until punk blew up in the late 70’s that most people started paying any attention.

[@skythelimit8316]

So true about Iggy because when I was young I did not care all that much for him or the punk stuff. Now I watch some of his live shows and I am amazed at the energy he gives off even when he was fifty years old! Just amazing and riveting!@@Shikta-poobah67

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Fucked up and lucid...at the same time

[@DanChad-er9lh]

Like Jim Morrison

[@danhedonia]

It hits you right away: he's very smart. VERY smart.

[@vascojoao]

if Iggy worked on Macdonnalds I would go there

[@janicepowell109]

He's written a d chord in Germany! Wow!!!

[@throatgorge2]

Daniel Johnston worked at McDonalds and that's exactly what I did. I stared at him through the window while he was on break eating a burger. I was a fan, of course, but also a very competitive rival. He ate that McDonalds and drank that mountain dew and now he's dead. I stopped doing all that and lost weight and got healthy. He also stayed on his meds, probably needed his meds. I rejected my meds, functioned on sheer will power and manic optimism. There's so many ways that I could have wound up like him or him like me, but neither of us were like anyone else. But you know, I felt compelled to stalk him and look at him through the window at the McDonalds at Dobie Mall. I remember it like it was yesterday. I could have gotten to know him, hung out with him, whatever, but the way me and him were VERY different is he was at ease as a social butterfly. I have massive social anxiety and am extremely shy and introverted. Get me on a stage and I'm a completely different person, but I was socially very remote. My first wife became my social proxy so I socialized through her, mostly at the shallow level of someone you meet at a party.

[@RossHMay]

used to see the Stooges in Ann Arbour n Gordie Howe Towne (Detroit). the Stooges were Macrobiotic Vegans B 4 anyone new about GMO'd Shit Food. they were the coolest mothah phuckahz in Michigan. Iggy is also a killer Jazz alto saxophonist.

[@darrensiegel6651]

How Iggy is still alive is mind boggling.... he's in Keith Richards territory by now. He looks like he's in his 50s here and this was 83. God bless him man

[@markboland8197]

I think that Keith and Iggy should do a project together immediately. It would be the greatest thing to come out of rock n roll in decades, even if it sucked big bouncy nut balls.

[@henrikpersson4698]

probably strung out here - a few years later he looked great again. god bless the man

[@ni9aszeven347]

I don't think he was ever as f*t up as the press and his mystique would have everyone believe. He's in amazing shape. Obviously he works out a lot. He did party a lot. But a lot of his behavior is probably due to ADHD.

[@ndesdsadfd]

And he was like only 37 (or something around that ) here, ahahahah. Anyway, he cleaned up not long after this and 4 years later he came back stronger than ever.

[@lynnehuff9659]

So true, I wasn't a fan when I was younger. I wish I had been, we could have seen him in Holllyweird. That would have been a blast. I'm a fan now, and have two autographed photos. Lots of records. that being said, I too am gobsmacked that Iggy is still alive. I would love to see him. He might not be touring. I'm so happy that he's married now. He and his friends drove cars into the swimming pool when they lived together in Hollywood. If you want to learn about Iggy, the book "Please Kill Me" is great! Love him and he looks cute with eyeliner.The book is by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain

[@padmadison]

Iggy pop is an icon in all the ways could exist

[@paulkinosian8518]

"...a year lef0 (!?) He's 70-something and better than ever! THAT'S why he's my hero.

[@richardmcmasky5638]

37 years later and lookin great(I mean, yeah, his body can look a bit shot at times, but there's great and then there's *great*, right?). Iggy is a Demi-God. And we are resilient, people.

[@dummytree]

Thanks for sharing, interviews with Iggy from that era are rare! It was a hard time for him but I love "Zombie Birdhouse".

[@tammyedwards4635]

Iggy is a National Treasure w a heart full of napalm

[@SFVGIRL]

❤❤❤

[@allthingshorrorrelated]

Iggy Pop is completely insane here, but in an entertaining way.

[@jill5917]

He reminds me of Stiv Bators and Johnny Thunders. Love his laugh ❤️

[@leahflower9924]

Yeah I was thinking stiv too there's something about skinny pale Midwest punks lol

[@Slig1977]

It's crazy to think about how he's not only outlived his fellow Stooges, but several younger punk rockers who he influenced. Stiv, Sid Vicious, GG Allin, Darby Crash, The Ramones...

[@jamoandb8470]

I feel like if Stiv hadn’t had his accident he’d definitely be alive. He wasn’t one of the reckless ones. That being said, miss them all and long live the kings!

[@cecile5090]

@@Slig1977Hard to believe that all the original Sex Pistols are still alive. Go figure.😁

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Stiv idolized Iggy and modeled most of his stage presence on him, and JT was a close friend/partner in crime of his, so it stands to reason. Not to mention that it was Iggy who turned JT on to heroin for the very first time. 😬

[@thevelointhevale1132]

He really is an actor and a chameleon playing a range of parts ... you see him shift and chance during various albums and periods to fit what was happening at the time musically. Here he is playing up the the English Punk ethos ... playing down his inherent intelligence and playing a part. It's all theatre ...

[@Vibeagain]

meh

[@Shikta-poobah67]

😳

[@Vibeagain]

Maybe more time outdoors with some vigorous exercise for you

[@hotticket7772]

Like his tribute to Morrison. He’s in fun spirits here.

[@cbond1c113]

He's a total mess here, but still more lucid & intelligent than 99.9% of most straight people you can name. Iggy Pop is the only hero of mine who is still living as of this writing, which is considerable given his track record (excuse the pun). It's good to see him looking well and prosperous these days. At this rate... he might even outlive me!

[@leahflower9924]

He looks like what Billie Joe Armstrong was trying to look like but failed

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

​@leahflower9924 no doubt about!!

[@sexobscura]

@@leahflower9924 coz he's an american idiot

[@three69]

Lol, “track record”

[@joshuawilliams7351]

Total mess? I guess that's opinion and relative. As you even say he completes thoughts and is coherent. His personality is kinetic and he doesn't feel compelled to behave in any prescribed or expected way. I hope to see him some day. I saw Bowie perform with Lou Reed at Bowie's 50th b-day. Wish Iggy was there.

[@Teriyaki-vj8ny]

Love this guy all over Sexy, Sense of humor, intelligent Refreshing. I'm a 80's girl who was into Fleetwood Mac, Journey, Led Zeppelin,Madonna, gag, always heard of Iggy Pop. I'm going backwards starting with"Grunge" bands. Lol.

[@alien9616]

You're gorgeous

[@edwingomez5442]

Yo igual, es tan sexy hasta ahora que esta viejo 🤣❤️

[@sexobscura]

better late than fever

[@Teriyaki-vj8ny]

@@alien9616 thank you ❤️

[@giorgiolocosimo7478]

the jacket that Iggy has is the same that Keith Richards had in some concerts of the Rolling Stones tour in 1981-82

[@Itsa6stringthang]

Really? That's pretty cool. I'm going to keep an eye out for those photos.

[@KarolusMagnus]

Iggy opened for the Rolling Stones during their 1981 tour, so it could very well be the exact same jacket Keith wore.

[@angryeel2864]

@@KarolusMagnus I was thinking that. You may be right.

[@angryeel2864]

@@Itsa6stringthang Yeah there's band photos from that time where Keith is wearing it and he also has on these weird fingerless knit gloves with Stones tongues silkscreened on them. If I remember correctly the gloves were yellow LOL

[@annekaelliot5417]

74 years later and he has stopped stage diving

[@alexandernagel8205]

Looks like our dear Iggy could use a hug

[@DIYTFY]

Retitle this video: Iggy Pop does his best Keith Richards impression.

[@sabellstar]

I was there! Damn great show! Got spit on! Still love Iggy! ❤

[@MikeIXWilliams]

I don’t think he’s acting erratic at all here honestly. It’s Iggy being smart, fun and Iggy

[@Zopf-international]

What a wonderful great fun interview.

[@thefleecer3673]

Iggy trips on life he knows the other beyond this mortal coil he will always be. Great interview Ron thank you so much for uploading 👍

[@roxannequeen2842]

We were so fucked up, we searched and survived, we're still kicking ass, see ya soon j

[@MrBillagordon]

So true!

[@allaboutdatGDA]

time is going backwards and we are eternal energy

[@Vibeagain]

:- D

[@Shikta-poobah67]

If my aunt had a dick, she’d be my uncle.

[@houseofdogzz5908]

He’s a genius. I had no idea! Wow!

[@ndesdsadfd]

Legend. But thank goodness he changed his ways sometime in the mid 80s. Otherwise I seriously doubt he would still be with us nowadays, and we'd be talking about Iggy as another fallen punk rock hero along the lines of Stiv Bators and Johnny Thunders.

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Even when Iggy was completely strung out he still maintained a strict health food diet and exercise regimen, strangely enough. I think that might possibly be a factor in his overcoming the odds.

[@rickweber7734]

Jim is nobody's fool, he's educated and lucid, never make the assumption to judge one based upon circumstance or lifestyle..

[@silviazanicotti5054]

Yes, drunk but educated and sensitive...I can see...fantastic guy!

[@richardmcmasky5638]

Iggy's the Nazz!

[@Robebabu]

Thanks, Ron!

[@clarkewi]

Forty years later...The other Stooges are gone. Iggy and James Williamson still going strong.

[@ndesdsadfd]

I'm pretty sure few would have believed back then, if you told 'em Iggy would have been still breathing in 40 years time.

[@markboland8197]

What happened to Zeke? He's dead man How about Dave? O.D'd on alcohol Oh, what's Ron doing? Oh, he's living with his mother What about James? He's gone straight

[@markboland8197]

If I told Iggy at that moment that in 2021 he would release an album on which he would actually attain the voice he's talking about having then, it would probably have killed him.

[@morganspont3060]

Thank you for sharing The enigma of Iggy.

[@janbak2306]

Such a gorgeous smile🔥

[@cuchopenaloza3725]

Crazy as fuck at 82 83 ,,, Luv for the Ig

[@billykessler6668]

Wow this is impressive!

[@sherylF5610]

It's been a damn long good year Iggy!

[@weser1965]

good interview

[@scott7521]

Watching this video it's almost impossible to think that Iggy is still here and has outlived so many of his contemporaries.

[@derekr3607]

"I applied to McD'sin 1975 and they wouldn't have me" I think that says it all.

[@Michael-jr1dc]

This is great! I love Iggy Pop and San Antonio!

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Puffy tacos!

[@FatherGuidoSardoochbag]

Crackhead Iggy comes off more intelligent than a lot of people, happy he's still kicking it today 🤘💜

[@StephenKramerstevefunk]

I love Zombie Birdhouse but Christ it does sound like it was recorded in a cut rate hundred buck studio!

[@kikkirow]

Iggy is such a great guy. I think he was on cocaine during this interview or speed. If he was on heroin, it isn't apparent. He is all fidgety and slightly slurs his words. I wish that there was a current rock star like this.

[@rookmaster7502]

Although obviously dis-shelved, he still offers plenty of very intelligent and thought-provoking insights during the interview. A most fascinating individual.

[@neltymind]

@@ndesdsadfd That's mostly luck, though. He is probably just tough by birth. As well know there are enough examples of people living in the fast lane and dying early.

[@mj.l]

heroin, and probably other things. his pupils are tiny.

[@throatgorge2]

After my marriage was shot to hell and my kids turned feral from their mother's amphetamine abuse I get triggered every time I see someone who is obviously on speed. Triggered real bad. Makes me want to start killing people. Not Iggy or my wife-- but the assholes who she abandoned me nightly, all night, to go get drugs from or do drugs with while I had to raise her kids with very little help. This makes me hate my entire lifelong obsession with rock and roll. Makes me hate punk rock. Makes me hate the impulsiveness, the recklessness, the excess, the indulgence. I never thought I would be this way, but then again I never thought I'd watch the most perfect union get destroyed by stupid, careless, unmoderated use of crystal meth. I hate the shit and everything to do with it. I'd have been enthralled, dazzled, star struck, filled with purpose and inspiration to have been in that room watching this interview in 1983. If I was somehow transported to that room today I'd yell at him and probably wind up punching him in the mouth. I fucking hate god damned mother fucking piece of shit tweakers. I smoke more weed in my life than I ever have thanks to my PTSD. Triggers are a bitch. They make me an awful person. No I don't ever want to idolize another stupid shit tweaker again. I don't care how much of a genius they are. I built my entire life around rock and roll and this makes me hate it. This makes me wish I were dead and the whole planet blasted to shit with nukes or an asteroid strike.

[@YungTrinidad407]

@@throatgorge2 ur not stoned enough

[@anonymous-yk9sz]

Rip ron young

[@jasonpeters9716]

Very cool guy.. Very interesting/intelligent

[@ric9759]

saw this show

[@clydekimsey7503]

Great to have Ron for posterity

[@llg3pe]

Iggy was always light hearted and polite. He did t have the typical $ hit attitude of most punk rockers.

[@markkevorkian]

Jesus. That must have been some amazing coke and dope.

[@TabethaAurochs]

I am so grateful there's no footage of me from my hard drug years talking about ??? looking like rained on cat shit and thinking "I'm totally pulling this off!" Iggy is doing so much better than I ever did.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

"Looking like rained on cat sheet". Spot on, A friend of mine videotaped a house party on new years 1997 and it's an abomination of drunken cokehead rambling. Not a time I look back on fondly.

[@CaptainFantastic222]

Can’t picture this man golfing

[@modeljetjuggernaut4864]

17:00 how he is with the tube and how most people r with smart phones today 😩

[@belanchax]

The one! Mi marido ❤

[@1967PONTIACGTO]

The Horse Song is my favourite on Zombie Birdhouse

[@jonny9884]

It's more than likely not alcohol. A friend had a photo from the show that night, a close-up of him with the mic to his mouth, and one could clearly see the track marks on his wrist. Apparently, the guy who took the photo was also the guy who gave him the junk, speed, whatever. I'd also have to double check this, but I believe he was too out of it to finish the gig that night.

[@bmoneyrancidfan91]

I dont see tracks on his wrist in the pic

[@drbenway612]

jonnie why ya lyin?

[@Shikta-poobah67]

🎶Johnny’s got a problem and he’s out of control🎶

[@robroyce6845]

late 70s - early 80s...Iggys best solo work....other than IPs American Caesar of the early 90s...

[@Shikta-poobah67]

😳

[@eyoung1683]

3:33 I bought that record lol 9:36 Burgeon ... as in ''burgeoning on greatness'' 12:24 ''I'm livin' on dog food!'' - Iggy Pop, from the album ''Soldier''

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

Thought ALL of Motley Crue was completely original and authentic.

[@Latexlaila]

Iggy dressed as a punk,talking about Napoleon HAH!

[@richardmcmasky5638]

He's a fuckin genius!

[@leahflower9924]

@Corey Bakers Entertainment Channel iggy didn't realize he was starting punk i feel like alice cooper kinda did too there was something about the midwest lol but he looked more psychedelic back in the day in this video he's gotta keep up with the Brit punk lol

[@Shikta-poobah67]

Yeah, well believe it or not, there was actually a time when most punks were highly intelligent, creative, and interesting people.

[@sergiestevecarbo7310]

time goes by and he's not bald, any dioptria neither, it's weirness my dear

[@xxcelr8rs]

I heard he inheirited Jim Morrison's leather pants.

[@melliniewashington1442]

❤❤❤❤...iggy

[@rudypierucci5770]

X me a quei tempi era a San salvi

[@David-h4z2s]

He looks raw here 🍟🧙

[@shelby8364]

this is definitely around the time Iggy had the curse put on him while in Haiti. I mean he brought it on himself by fucking with a voodoo ceremony but damn look at those eyes. Coke and voodoo, what a mix.

[@scott7521]

Iggy was rough by this point

[@lynnehuff9659]

Doesn't really look like himself, here.

[@ivorytower99]

Right before he cleaned up. Again.

[@weser1965]

proof bonham exchange did pop and punk shows backin theday.

[@SuperStrik9]

Iggy rules.

[@edwingomez5442]

Que sexy aquí el chico malo, lo amo hasta en estos días. Un grande este loco 😁🔥😍

[@miumeu3125]

Wow, his is great! Iggy at the very end of his fucked up period, right before he moved to New York and cleaned up.

[@jeffmarkwood8351]

high af

[@ryanjonestownmassaker5943]

Fun house ❤

[@highschoolbyeschool3908]

Damn.. stimulants and whatever else he’s on really have an effect on his short term memory, it seems like he’s just speaking without any point.

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

"Speaking without any point" is a perfect description of cocaine washed down with booze.

[@Shikta-poobah67]

He’s making more sense and speaking more intelligent here than most so called ‘normal’ people make or do on a good day.

[@theodoreconstantini2548]

He seems quite crazy but loveable/sweet, and like he would be fun to hang out with, though he could lead you up the garden path, lol.

[@MrYowen88]

great ending

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

What did Iggy and Bowie see in each other?

[@neatchipops3428]

Still kicking ass... all I wanna do, is tell Gardenia what to do tonight

[@dalegriffin6768]

Iggy would never show up to a interview drugged up he is such a good Christian.

[@rockdanger]

Saw him on this tour (Zombie Birdhouse) at the university of calgary... he was definitely messed up and at a career low point. I think the Robbie Dupree guy who walks thru the interview was his drug buddy and "partner in crime" during this period. My buddy did an interview with them for the university radio station and they were openly using during the interview. The show was great tho... ended about half way thru the set when ig had an argument with the drummer and pulled his entire kit down off the riser in the middle of a song. Drummer was pissed and pacing the stage and ig was following him taunting: "Well, what are you gonna do about it? Huh?" Got a chance years later at SXSW to ask the other guitar player about if he remembered the incident and he said he didn't but "shit like that happened almost every night on that tour".

[@courtneygillespie1187]

He's not dumb..... chaotic mess but could be a genius 😏

[@markrago5338]

I don't believe Iggy is intoxicated from alcohol. He's got some sort of narcotics fuelled mojo here. Fidgety, itching, exaggerated mannerisms, either stimulants or opioids

[@CafeHueyLong]

He was big into coke and heroin during this time

[@Deester302]

Yes this is def dopey Iggy. We were both trashheads (meaning we took what came our way) his complexion is that of heroin tho. So glad he's still here!

[@sunrise5494]

Yeah he is real fidgety and jumpy and off, but it is fun

[@romancingtheimpulse8380]

💖💖💖

[@davidorama6690]

Totally wired

[@radiomindchatter7994]

Never seen him with an earring before!

[@francisanosissi1]

He's even more intelligent than the interviewer..in general.

[@PAULLONDEN]

Was Jim acting here ? The mascara was definitely "subtly" applied........🖐😵 His 80-90s incarnation was definitely geared towards the new blinky 'punks' . and would do almost anything to "get rich". In which he succeeded.These days he lives in well deserved Florida domesticity .

[@clydebk]

Check out Ron Young and his friend.

[@lilise3965]

Whoever thinks doing drugs is cool should see this video. It's shocking, honestly, compared to how well Iggy looked during his clean spells.

[@markboland8197]

I do. I think its cool. And i love you and want to have a child with you.

[@Shikta-poobah67]

“Shocking”? Ok 😳

[@alvesmonteiro5022]

Ganda Mocka iggy

[@derekmoody1358]

A chat with God❤

[@weser1965]

agreed.

[@kirkbartlett6884]

Zombie Birdhouse

[@CrookedEyeSniper]

He suggests that he has only another year left before he dies. Well, it's now 2024, and Iggy Pop will be 77 years old this year.

[@auralepiphanies4055]

Even post birdhouse is good...brick by brick and American Caesars have killer tracks...I think he was in some relapse mode around then. Not fun or funny to go through. I love Iggy all the way through for life!

[@Shikta-poobah67]

I hate American Caesar. With the exception of a few cherry-picked songs, I don’t think he made a single remotely interesting album (after Zombie Birdhouse) until Post Pop Depression.

[@franciscocastillo1702]

Q alguien la subtitule