Behind the Scenes with Iggy Pop
Drummer Clem Burke had a unique experience with the legendary Iggy Pop. The two met while on the road in 1977 with Blondie. However, Burke’s most memorable encounter with Pop wasn’t during his time with Blondie, but rather as part of Pop’s band for six weeks in 1981.
Touring Chaos
During the 1981 tour, Pop was "basically out of his mind," according to Burke. "There was no food allowed backstage, only drugs and booze." The tour was promoted for Pop’s album "Party," which saw Pop smashing a microphone into his own face, dislodging a front tooth.
The madness of the tour was captured in 1983’s "Live in San Francisco 1981," recorded at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco. The live album and DVD, which was released in 2005, gave fans a glimpse into the chaos of the tour. According to Burke, the tour motto was "no blow, no show," with Pop’s only mandate being to "play as loud and as fast as possible."
Commercial Decline
Despite the energy of the tour, Pop’s album "Party" stalled at a paltry No. 166 on the Billboard Top 200. This marked a significant decline for Pop, who had previously reached great commercial success with albums like "The Idiot," a collaboration with David Bowie.
Touring with Blondie
Burke’s encounter with Pop began while he was touring with Blondie. Blondie was invited to open for Iggy Pop and David Bowie on the Idiot World Tour in 1977. Pop’s collaboration with Bowie was marked by the release of "The Idiot," which hit the U.K. Top 30.
A Moment of Clarity
One of the most memorable moments of the tour was the night before the start of the tour, when Pop and Bowie surprised the band by arriving at the dressing room. "Everyone was still crashed out in a funky dressing room backstage when the door opened and in walked Bowie and Iggy," Burke recalled. "They couldn’t have been nicer." The encounter was made more special by the fact that Burke and Pop both wore Anello and Davide Beatle boots, which Burke had brought back from his first trip to the U.K. in 1975.
More than Just a Tour
Burke’s experience with Pop goes beyond just a memorable tour. It’s a story of two musicians who shared a connection that transcended their music. While the tour may have been chaotic, it also marked a significant moment in the careers of both Pop and Burke.
FAQs
Q: What was the most memorable experience Clem Burke had with Iggy Pop?
A: Burke’s most memorable experience with Pop was touring as part of Pop’s band for six weeks in 1981, promoting the album "Party."
Q: What was the atmosphere like on tour during the 1981 "Party" tour?
A: The tour was marked by a chaotic atmosphere, with no food allowed backstage and only drugs and booze available. This led to Pop smashing a microphone into his own face, dislodging a front tooth.
Q: How did the tour inspire the release of "Live in San Francisco 1981"?
A: The chaos of the tour was captured in the live album and DVD, which was released in 2005.
Q: How did Pop’s career fare after the release of "Party"?
A: "Party" marked a significant commercial decline for Pop, who had previously reached great success with albums like "The Idiot," a collaboration with David Bowie.
Q: What was the significance of Burke and Pop both wearing Anello and Davide Beatle boots on tour?
A: The shared moment of the two musicians wearing the same Beatle boots was a symbol of their connection, which transcended their music.
