Iggy Pop, a true icon of the music world, has led a career as wild and unpredictable as his music. Starting with his pioneering days with The Stooges and continuing as a solo artist, he has solidified his status as a heavyweight in popular culture.
From collaborations with David Bowie to countless wild adventures with rock legend Dennis Hopper, Iggy Pop’s life could be mistaken for a thrilling novel, embodying the essence of the famous “sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll” era. As a survivor of classic rock’s golden age, he has a treasure trove of anecdotes to share, much to the delight of his fans.
One of the most intriguing stories Iggy Pop has shared is the time he was invited to join the ultimate fun-loving rock ‘n’ roll group: AC/DC.
AC/DC, known for hits like ‘TNT,’ ‘Whole Lotta Rosie,’ and ‘Highway to Hell,’ has had two distinct eras, first with Bon Scott as the frontman and later with Brian Johnson, who took over in 1980 following Scott’s tragic passing and has been the vocalist ever since. Notably, the Brian Johnson era produced timeless classics such as ‘Back in Black’ and ‘Thunderstruck.’
In a 2023 interview with The New York Times, Iggy Pop revealed that the band’s manager approached him about joining AC/DC before he reformed The Stooges.
Although he didn’t delve into the specifics of the conversation, we’ll take his word for it. The mere thought of Iggy Pop fronting the ‘TNT’ band and sharing the stage with guitarist Angus Young is undeniably fascinating.
Iggy Pop also shared a brief memory involving Bon Scott, saying:
“Yeah, Bon. I had some very wonderful encounters with Bon somewhere, and we were both drunk and stoned. I see pictures sometimes, and I go, I don’t remember, but that’s me with Bon! I loved what he did. Many years ago, they had a manager, before I re-formed The Stooges, before I moved to England, and this guy said, ‘Are you interested in joining AC/DC?’ They were looking for a singer.”
However, when asked if he seriously considered the offer.
Iggy Pop explained:
“No, because I listened to their record. I thought, I can’t fill that bill. It wasn’t that I didn’t like them; their music was well-crafted. They paid great attention to detail. But I knew I wasn’t the right fit for what they needed.”