So much has been written about The Stooges over the years – inevitably homing in on the singer and dissolute chaos surrounding the band’s first phase – that it’s refreshing to find their longawaited official version of the story slicing away myths and theorising to simply tell it like it was, while also making sure it looks damn good. Longtime photographer and confidante Matheu is better placed than anyone to relate their remarkable tale, outlining his mission to present “an entirely different view… an unabashed celebration of a band”.
Consequently, the book’s mood is positive, praising but honest where necessary, with lively narrative from Matheu and Jeffrey Morgan, plus a foreword by Alice Cooper, guest album essays led by former Creem editor Dave DiMartino, fabulous memorabilia and a raft of often stunning photos (many previously-unseen), which tell a story in themselves. In short, everything a Stooges fan could wish for.
Happily, the Asheton brothers get much-deserved credit as the dum dum soul of the band. Sadly, Ron died as the book was being put together, but at least he knew the original ending was the happy one he’d waited for all those years.
