The definitive biography of one of rock's most extraordinary legends
Iggy Pop s life has been one of extraordinary highs and terrifying lows. Infamous for his wild ways, he is also a towering figure of the rock scene - hugely influential, charismatic and provocative. Every mad, bad, dangerous to know rock star owes a debt to him, and the stories of his shocking behaviour are legendary. But Iggy Pop is also, to a large extent, a construct, the alter ego of the quietly spoken and intriguing Jim Osterberg: the kid voted Most Likely to Succeed by his classmates. So what turned this charming, well-mannered, straight-A student into a poster child for rock n roll debauchery?
IGGY POP: OPEN UP AND BLEED reveals the truth behind the myths. Former MOJO editor Paul Trynka tracked down the star s friends, family, lovers and fellow musicians, conducting over two hundred and fifty interviews, unearthing countless new stories about Iggy s rollercoaster life, his music and his often misunderstood friendship with David Bowie. From this impeccable research he creates a fascinating portrait of a man at war with the world and with himself. The book also features dozens of never-before seen photos.
Paul Trynka gets under Iggy Pop s skin to reveal the real Jim Osterberg. OPEN UP AND BLEED is a hugely impressive feat of research and insights, packed full of yarns that ll make your hair stand on end - Barney Hoskyns, author of HOTEL CALIFORNIA
With its recurring themes of drug addiction, public masochism and self-sabotage, Iggy s story effectively tells itself, but Trynka captures the essential duality of a man as well-versed in Greek art as he is in panhandling for heroin on Sunset Boulevard . . . [an] entertaining and insightful study of one of rock s most enduringly remarkable characters - Q
Compelling. Trynka paints an artful portrait of a rock star who is 'decadent right through to his sweet, Midwestern heart' - OBSERVER
'Incorporates just about every depravity you could wish for in a rock biography: indecent exposure, under-age sex, self-mutilation, psychiatric disorder, drug abuse, infidelity, betrayal, violence, death and David Bowie... When you strip away all the nonsense, Iggy is a pro. Trynka too - GUARDIAN
Trynka s well-researched biography offers not only a small army of previously unseen photos, but the truth behind Iggy s rise from smalltown nobody to internationally recognised bad boy of rock. It offers insights also into some of his high-profile relationships, notably with David Bowie - HERALD