Iggy Pop Pays Tribute To Scott Asheton – Rolling Stone

Iggy Pop Pays Tribute To Scott Asheton – Rolling Stone

I first met Scott Asheton when I was working at Discount Records in Ann Arbor to augment my drumming. …Scott played drums with a boxer’s authority. When he wanted to, he had a heavy hand on the drums. He hit the drum very hard, but there were never a lot of elbows flying. He wasn’t showy. He didn’t have to make a physical demonstration to get the job done. When he played with you, it was always swinging. He brought a swinging truth to the music he played and extreme musical honesty.

…Scott always played a little behind the beat, always a little back. He would hold the band back, just very slightly, from where it might have gone if it was going to rush ahead. It gave authority and a kind of trance to the music. He always, always, always played the song. He never got up there and started playing the kit to show everyone what he could play.

Scott just had a certain dignity about him and everyone was always glad to have him in the room. He looked like he could be a tough customer, but I never even heard of him flicking a fly. He looked like the Marlboro Man.

…He started playing with Ron in their basement with a little equipment and some dreams. Now they’re back together again in some sense.

Read more from the tribute at Rolling Stone. Photo by Mick Rock