Iggy Pop pays tribute to Stiv Bator(s), June 1990

On 4 June 1990, Stiv Bator of the Dead Boys, The Wanderers and Lords of the New Church unexpectedly died in Paris after being hit by a car. At the end of the month I held a benefit to raise money for his parents to help with the cost of their trip to France for the funeral, which was a great success. This tribute was sent to us by long-time friend Iggy Pop, who could not be in Cleveland for the show. Coincidentally he was doing a show in Paris and, after hearing of Stiv's death he dedicated a song to him. This is a very special and personal tribute addressed to Stiv's parents, Steve and Marion.

[@tunesmith3000]

Having known Stiv long before he became Stiv (I knew him as Stevie) I am moved by this heartfelt tribute to him by Stiv's greatest inspiration. In fact, I played guitar in the pickup band with Frank Secich and Myron Grombacher (later of Pat Benatar fame) that backed Stiv in his first ever public performance. The song we did was The Stooges' "I Wanna Be Your Dog."

[@VidMagTV]

Steve Acker just wanted to let you know I'm doing a benefit to raise money for a documentary about Stiv on Friday 30 June at Now That's Class in Cleveland. details are under my VidMag Media events page on Facebook.

[@mjh5437]

@@VidMagTV Was the documentary ever made?

[@lt9316]

Do you know Steve Brickman from Brooklyn at the time. Graduated Juliard an played a blonde 59 fender stratocaster in the CBGB, MERCURY, ETC.

[@666kinski]

@@mjh5437 yes..Check tubitv.com.

[@jzen1455]

What was Stiv like in the 70s? Was he the wild crazy guy he was in the 80s?

[@madeleinehague648]

Another reason we love Iggy. So genuine. RIP Stiv Bators.

[@axlkix5655]

+Madeleine Hague I love you post for more than one reason. Iggy is like the grandfather of punk and Stiv might have been the most talented punk.

[@gtrfreek1]

Wow, very touching words from Iggy. I was there the night Iggy met his parents. Iggy was very cordial. Cool guy.

[@jerrynelson56]

Iggy pop is a really great man. Very smart. Very bright. Everyone acts like punk rockers are degenerates, but the truth is, they're some of the brightest people you'll ever meet.

[@t-man5196]

Jerry Nelson I wouldn’t speak in such generalities, personally.

[@sexobscura]

like Tiny Tim

[@AlecFinderton]

yes, he is smart to making business ...

[@Nantosuelta]

I mean he apparently admitted to sleeping with a 13 yr old when he was at least 22 or 23 so idk. Still a great musician, but light of that kind of information, I would definitely say its very debatable wether or not he's a great guy

[@22lulublu]

@@Nantosuelta talk talk talk, who are you to judge anyone? he's making condolences to Stiv Bator's parents, take it for what it is.

[@twilly999]

For those that aren't aware Iggy has a son which probably explains why he nearly tears up when he says Stiv was the their only boy.

[@PAULLONDEN]

That's incredibly sweet and caring...Bators was one of the very few who could stand in Pop's shadow...

[@JDC352]

The measure of a man is in his service to others. I met Stiv just before he passed. Glad to see someone of merit honored Stiv.

[@VidMagTV]

Glad you got to meet him. He was a wonderful guy and I always enjoyed my interactions with him. Did you get to see the new documentary about Stiv?

[@chasing_dragons]

Stiv and Iggy truly love making people happy with music. Our punk rock musicians are angels who give us that desperately needed medicine called music so we can deal with this thing called life.

[@VidMagTV]

So very true. It's a shame that punk started out with such a bad rap because of that certain band from England. That's why I love the second wave of punk bands (well, many of them) from the 90s and beyond.

[@jamesprouty7792]

Shared my rum and coke with Stiv while he was on stage. Fought my way to and from the bar to get him one of his own. He was happy! Classy words by Iggy ❤

[@VidMagTV]

So cool. This was totally unexpected as I had asked whether I could get a Stooges reunion the night of the benefit but Iggy wasn't available so he had this done and sent it to me. VERY classy and honestly emotional.

[@impalaman9707]

Say want you want to about Iggy on stage, but Jim Osterberg is a very polite gentleman off stage--as is Vince Furnier AKA Alice Cooper

[@Suzismymom]

As was Stiv

[@iwantthe80sback59]

Loved that song Open Your Eyes by Lords of the New Church. RIP Stiv Bator.

[@lulainwonderland4244]

Saw Lords of the new church when I was a youngin'. Great show.

[@AndreChandler]

Wow.. I've always loved Iggy Pop. An old housemate of mine got his American Ceaser cd when it came out.. wrote Iggy, how much he enjoyed it ' in detail. A year goes by.. and my roomy gets something in the mail from New York. It was a drawing of a stick figure with a smiling face that looked to be done with Iggy's non dominant hand. In the top left corner it said ' hey nic ... and the bottom right .. salute, Iggy Pop. We were both in shock. Nic framed it of course :) PS: the stick figure was saluting

[@MrRippedRocks]

I also got mail from Iggy after writing to him during the American Ceasar album. Very cool of him.

[@TheChadTI]

Stiv knew more than most about "forbidden knowledge" I always think about that when I think about how he passed. A legend who was doing something with his music few would dare to do. Also, that Wanderers album is soooo good. RIP Stiv.

[@VidMagTV]

I'vevalways thought that about The Wanderers. I got to see them on their one tour and Todd Rundgren dropped in to see the band because he was playing the same night not far away - and I was the only person who noticed him.

[@sharkattacksteve]

Dam I've been listening to Iggy for almost 40 years and that's the first time he made me wanna cry.

[@Enevan1968]

Story i read, but don't know if it is true: Stiv found out the rest of the band wanted to fire him and already had an advert out: Stive made a t-shirt with said advert on it, wore it at a gig and at the end of the gig fired the band. Class act from a class guy!

[@jillianh.7943]

Iggy has such a beautiful heart. God bless him. ♡

[@denisepelayo296]

Blessings

[@derpokerlude]

I know Iggy and i know Stiv...but who the fuck is these God ??

[@martymusch1375]

How thoughtful to send a video message out to Stiv's parents.

[@thomasleroy5309]

Hung out with Stiv in '83 when the Lords played in San Francisco. He was very easy to get along with, talk to. Also, spent Thanksgiving '81 with Iggy. Another easy going person. Maybe he was high? Huh . . .

[@VidMagTV]

Cool Steve. Yes this was very moving and I'm glad you were so touched by it.

[@Punkueberfall]

Thank you for posting, very moving!

[@zemljankavesna]

Person with heart, nice , bright, gentle.

[@FilthyBadges]

Iggy was about to choke up..... compassion is beautiful.

[@Indigodude007]

The memory of an artist is immortal ,for his artistry lives on in the lives it touches.

[@farleyboy6445]

A friend is a Friend and we loose em all to often. Rock on Stiv

[@aro5490]

beautifully human. thank you, Iggy. and thank you Stiv for all you gave us. you are deeply missed.

[@gabbabrasil]

What a gentleman he could be (sometimes).

[@marcrollins]

Iggy's is on the edge because he knows the gift Stiv gave us!

[@supercooloz13]

Open your eyes, see the lies right in front of you!

[@vidmagmedia2156]

Stiv once told me he considered that the most subversive line he ever wrote because he hoped that when people sang along with it that it would somehow seep into their brain subconsciously.

[@supercooloz13]

@VidMag Media as a twelve year old boy I had no idea what that even meant, but as time passed wow so spot on!

[@vidmagmedia2156]

@@supercooloz13 totally

[@michswags]

Good stuff...I remember Stivs parents Wonderful!!

[@VidMagTV]

A major documentary about Stiv is premiering in Cleveland next month and will also play in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Dallas, Chattanooga, Philadelphia, Minneeapolis and San Francisco in the States and in London, Paris and Helsinki in late March and early April, with more dates to follow. I'm an executive producer on the film and it's a real heartbreaker!!!!!!!!!

[@NGAOPC]

I’m quite sure I saw Stiv at a punk show in Charleston WV, oddly enough; Blossom Dairy was the venue, Vampire Lesbos I think were playing, the lead singer stopped to acknowledge and introduce him as “lead singer for the Dead Boys”;” etc, in faded black denim, sunglasses and wild bedhead. Was very humble, just nodded at people and watched the show. Apt to me it was at a venue that I see almost no accounting of as a punk venue, for all its local significance.

[@Axlander]

Remembering Stiv on this very sad day in history!

[@davevanian3128]

wow Fuck Sad. Dead Boys were a great band. I always had the assumption he O.D.'d. Thanks for sharing/posting this for everyone.

[@bjohnston3659]

Imagine genuine emotion from a celebrity... glad I saw it

[@frankcantley4]

Stiv had the sickest but funniest sense of humor. Same with Lux & few others now gone. They literally could've done comedy. "What a drag it is getting old......"

[@VidMagTV]

I couldn't agree more. I'm one of the executive producers of a documentary about Stiv that's having its world premiere in Cleveland on 23 March, London and Dallas on the 24th, Boston on the 27th, New York on the 29th and 30th, Philadelphia and Helsinki on the 31st, Austin and San Francisco on 3 April, LA on the 7th, Paris and Minneapolis on the 10th and Chattanooga on the 28th. I'm sure there will be more dates added as well.

[@frankcantley4]

@@VidMagTV Ill be at the Cleveland screening if all is well. Its pretty much my second home there.

[@VidMagTV]

@@frankcantley4 cool. Introduce yourself after the Q&A.

[@KowalskiVanishing_Point]

I'm 63. Loved punk when I was young and still do. But, gotta say I love being 63.

[@berdeforcal]

thank you James for Stiv ! You are a great man because your heart is real

[@robertk2007]

Sucks bands like green day sell 30 million records and dead boys end up as a cautionary tale. Real punk vs fake punk

[@F3502000]

Exactly!! I'm not saying there are no more punk bands because maybe there are some young guys now trying to keep the hardcore fire burning. I just don't know of any. GBH, Bad Brains, The Exploited, Black Flag, etc... That's punk.

[@axlkix5655]

+robertk2007 That might actually be the great thing about the real punk band. It's impossible to sell out since they don't sell millions of albums. However, Green Day never sold out because they were never actually punk...more of a pop sound.

[@jimmyjazz9839]

Don't worry, G.D. were never a punk band ;) They are U2 with more edge *cough. Iggys a gent, RIP Stiv.

[@colleendito2046]

Jimmy Jazz. Feel like a soldier, look like a thief. its for the Jazz. J j z z j azz jazz Jimmy Jazz. Did the police find ya yet? RIP the the great Joe Strummer

[@northernpunx1978]

check out my silly band, we really do try and bring this shit back anyway possible

[@LandslideLester]

no words... I love this

[@Nudiescorner]

A WONDERFUL MAN!!!!

[@RiffChris]

What a gentleman!

[@MrCLangfitt]

Always a class act.

[@shaunsk]

Got to know Stiv before his sad demise,a fucking sweetheart.Nothing like his public image.

[@7777srd]

genuine class.

[@PAULLONDEN]

Wow! what a character...

[@thawthepast]

...RIP... God bless!

[@VidMagTV]

Dave, I'm actually pretty shocked you didn't know. I would have thought Brian would have told you about it when it happened. Yeah, he was brushed back by a car on a bank holiday in France when he was out with his girlfriend, Caroline. He apparently said that he wasn't hurt and didn't go to hospital and he died that night from a blot clot from the incident that got into his heart and it killed him. You know what he was like when the Dead Boys were in their (brief) heyday. I guess after all the antics he pulled on stage he figured he was somewhat invinceable. The only time I ever saw him injured was on the first Lords tour when he was forced to have fluid drained from his elbow after jumping off of speaker stacks for so long and did the show wearing a cast in a sling. But you knew him. It didn't slow him down one bit!!!! In fact, the first time I interviewed him was that night, though we had known each other since 1979-1980.

[@mitsygitsy4761]

Iggy set aside his punk persona and became a real human being in that moment.

[@t-man5196]

Stiv is such a legend, man.

[@VidMagTV]

Absolutely. I'm one of the executive producers of a smashing new documentary about his life that's having its world premiere in Cleveland on 23 March. It's also showing in London and Dallas on the 24th, Boston on the 27th, New York on the 29th and 30th, Philly and Helsinki on the 31st, Austin and San Francisco on 3 April, LA on the 7th, Paris and Minneapolis on the 10th, and Chattanooga on the 28th. I will be moderating a Q&A panel after the film with Jimmy Zero and Frank Secich in Cleveland. More dates will be added as well. If you get the chance, I highly suggest you go see it because it's an amazing film featuring a lot of rare footage!!!

[@t-man5196]

@@VidMagTV Cool man, where in New York is it showing?

[@VidMagTV]

@@t-man5196 Theatre 80 St Marks - web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10372976?fbclid=IwAR2pOsp737xE-uTqhZGoJo1NvmRM6ovqNqV421iq8Na-zzmhxQLeqaLasik for the 29th and web.ovationtix.com/trs/pe.c/10372977?fbclid=IwAR3gX-2wwHG2H8DXPL64fHIAE0DTT8Jo1Ke1q_Xg2kvQb8OLWIdWn_lT3oM for the 30th. I'm moderating a Q&A panel here in Cleveland with Jimmy Zero and Frank Secich after the film and I believe that Danny Garcia, the director, will be doing it in New York. At least he said he'd be there in any case.

[@VidMagTV]

@@t-man5196 Oh, and please spread the word. It's a great film - I've seen a prerelease copy and it totally choked me up. Great interviews and amazing rare footage.

[@Suzismymom]

​@@VidMagTVJust saw this years later, what's the name of the doc and is it still available to see?

[@dinkweed21]

Heartfelt.

[@NBM3]

In that vein... thank you Mr Freud. Thank you Stiv,rest now.

[@miguelangelsilva5278]

I listen Stiv with the Dead Boys In a LP this contain other groups Runaways, New York Dolls, Talking Heads, Flaming Growes, He was a Punk Imagen

[@darkChristian]

everydayz a good day when i hear Iggy,all wayz cheerz 2 ig.

[@MrBoomboomkid]

💜Stiv, Iggy, Joey, 💜

[@AL2000FL]

thanks iggy ! u loved him !

[@cherylchaison5085]

Love stiv. Beautiful

[@enzosallu3444]

grande Iggy,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, non ci sono parole ,,+,, r i p Stiv ,

[@SlimyboyDave]

R.I.Paradise Stiv Bators!

[@DjangoThunders]

Sweetheart inside.

[@amandamaluk7668]

💔

[@lindacensi2750]

Si vede la commozione ....molto genuina

[@ZiolaBee]

aww

[@AdolfStalin]

there needs to be a statue erected here in downtown Youngstown of the legendary Stiv Bators. I demand it!

[@LannieLord]

Was this filmed at MTV ? How would the parents get to see this ????

[@VidMagTV]

Iggy paid to have this shot in Paris and his management sent it to me. We showed it and one of the two that John Waters sent during the tribute concert.

[@thomasnikkola5600]

Long.love Stiv!! Iggy genuine love!! Ohio GGtoo!!

[@teelee5559]

COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@woodbell67]

0:36 - love how he reminds them of what happened- in case you forgot...

[@aroama11]

onya iggy...

[@LarzGustafsson]

Stiv would be proud if this tribute. It's better to pay hommage while people are alive though. With all due respect.

[@velvetbruise]

It was June 4

[@VidMagTV]

M Peery yeah when he died but this was recorded a couple weeks later.

[@velvetbruise]

Ok I'm sorry I don't mean to be critical, it just says that he died on June 2, 1990 and wasn't it June 4th? Thank you for sharing this, so touching!

[@VidMagTV]

M Peery you're right. nobody else caught that, least of all me. Thanks for pointing it out. I misunderstood your first message. I'm putting on a benefit at the end of June, 27 years and a day after the benefit I held for his parents that this video was part of, for a documentary on him. Search for Stiv TV and see the last interview we did with him in 1986. And there's a bunch of other stuff on my channel connected to the benefit - performances and tributes. with Cheetah, Dark Carnnival and Jeff Dahl.

[@velvetbruise]

Oh its ok! Thank you for the information! Such a tragedy! I (and many others) appreciate what you are doing!!!!!!

[@VidMagTV]

M Peery He was a friend and. keeping his name out there is the least I could do! 😀

[@warbloid]

There is something really sexy about Iggy.

[@jaymusseato]

>How?...What kind of JOB?...send me a message...i'd like to know...!!!

[@louvuitton6447]

Sounds like Iggy almost coughed up a lung there.

[@j.s.connolly8579]

No you can TELL he is holding back tears! He is VERY Sad and Heart Broken! :(

[@fernandor948]

why do people go straight to GD when describing punk vs f punk ..

[@cquilty1]

Iggy looks like an old lady here!

[@glennoc8585]

😳

[@AlecFinderton]

he is acting...

[@vidmagmedia2156]

Sorry, NO.

[@louvuitton6447]

Who cares!

[@putocardi]

Ladies and gentleman i give you Iggy Pop🙂

[@vidmagmedia2156]

I completely agree Madeleine!!!!!!!!!