Iggy Pop has opened up about his wild days and longevity, noting how his younger years once saw him smoke spider webs in an attempt to get high.
There’s a famous quote out there from an anonymous author which claims that, “There are two things that would survive a nuclear holocaust: cockroaches and Keith Richards.” However, given some of the stories we’ve heard about Iggy Pop, that list might need to be amended to include a third.
As one of the most energetic and active rockers on the scene today, the 72-year-old shows no signs of slowing down, revealing back in August that he wants to live into his 80s, even if for the sole purpose of spiting his detractors.
“I always wonder, if I stopped doing music, would I really start drinking tea instead of coffee, and, you know, brush my teeth more, and all that?” he mused. “Or would I become, like, an alcoholic depressive?
“Don’t tell me that I can’t strip off my shirt and go make a big primitive noise.”
However, given his wild younger years, it could be viewed by many people as amazing that the rocker has managed to reach the age of 72. To Iggy Pop though, he seems rather nonplussed by the whole idea.
Check out Iggy Pop on The Jonathan Ross Show:
Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show recently, Iggy Pop responded to questions about whether he is himself shocked by his longevity. “People all assume they’re going to live forever,” he responded. “It’s brinksmanship.”
“My psychiatrist told me in the ’70s ‘you have amazing brinkmanship, you go to a certain place and you know when to pull back,'” he recalled. “I always have and I’m a very conservative guy in my daily life. I go to bed early. “
When asked by Ross about some of his younger antics, the host questioned a famous story in which Iggy Pop reportedly stuck his tongue into an electrical socket to gain a high after being unable to find any narcotics.
“Well it was an electric train transformer,” Pop corrected the host. “I tried spider webs too. I tried to smoke them. You know, you’ve got to start somewhere.”
While Iggy Pop noted that the latter experience was indeed quite “harsh”, he still shows no signs of slowing down, with his latest record, Free, being released last month and scoring widespread critical acclaim.
Elsewhere in the interview, Iggy also opened up about his experiences and friendship with the late David Bowie, and even discussing their infamous ‘Berlin Period’ of the ’70s. Check it out above.
Check out ‘Sonali’ by Iggy Pop:
