It’s abundantly clear that the 60s were a time of boundless innovation, that forward momentum was at a premium and that the future couldn’t happen quickly enough. Yet while the decade sired countless albums of influence, no single recording sounded more like a portal into the future than The Stooges’ self-titled debut.
The Stooges had formed in Ann Arbour, Michigan, close enough to Detroit to become immersed in the city’s burgeoning musical culture. Aside from Berry Gordy’s all-conquering Motown label, rock’n’roll show bands (all synchronised dance steps and explosive energy) dominated a vibrant live circuit.
