Iggy Pop at 77: Still Raw, Still Reckless, Still Rocking

The Godfather of Punk is proving that retirement is for the boring

At 77, punk godfather Iggy Pop remains an electrifying force in the world of music, embracing new projects, revisiting old glories, and continuing to challenge expectations with the same raw energy that defined his early days with The Stooges. While many of his peers have slowed down or retreated into legacy status, Pop refuses to be tamed. In 2024 and into 2025, he's doing more than just keeping up — he's still leading the charge.

After the release of his 19th solo album Every Loser in January 2023, Pop spent much of last year touring behind the critically acclaimed record, which marked a return to his gritty, hard-rock roots. Produced by Grammy-winning Andrew Watt, the album featured contributions from a dream team of rock veterans: Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), and the late Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters). Tracks like “Frenzy” and “Strung Out Johnny” served as a reminder that Iggy still delivers primal power with poetic punch. (Rolling Stone, Jan 2023)

In 2024, he took on a more curated and selective approach to performing live. His current tour, titled The Loser Tour, has seen him headline a string of high-profile festivals and special appearances, including a standout set at Cruel World Festival in Pasadena, California. Backed by his tight and explosive band, the shows balance classic Stooges cuts like “Search and Destroy” and “I Wanna Be Your Dog” with material from Every Loser, maintaining the visceral energy of his youth.

Beyond the stage, Iggy Pop continues to grow his presence in arts and culture. His long-running BBC Radio 6 Music show, Iggy Confidential, remains a cult favorite, offering deep cuts, genre-hopping explorations, and offbeat commentary from the Godfather of Punk himself. The show’s eclectic, unpredictable playlist reflects Iggy’s enduring curiosity and open mind — from 1950s doo-wop to obscure electronica.

He’s also dipped his toe into acting once again. In recent months, Pop completed work on a role in the upcoming independent film Blue Moon Motel, where he plays a weathered lounge singer with a dark past. While details are under wraps, early word from the production hints at a performance both gritty and haunting, tapping into Pop’s magnetic screen presence seen in past roles like Dead Man and The Crow: City of Angels.

Meanwhile, Iggy has hinted at a follow-up to Every Loser, though nothing has been confirmed. In interviews, he’s suggested that he’s been writing new material in Miami, where he lives with his wife Nina Alu.

Still lean, shirtless, and unrepentant, Iggy Pop is proving that longevity doesn’t have to mean mellowing out. Whether he’s growling into a mic, spinning jazz on the radio, or stepping in front of a film camera, Pop’s creative pulse is as fierce as ever. As he told The Guardian in a 2023 interview: “I’ve outlived my enemies. And I still get to make noise. That’s all I ever wanted.”

Sources:

• Rolling Stone
• Consequence
• BBC Radio 6 Music
• MOJO Magazine
• The Guardian