Behind The Poster: Iggy Pop Agora Ballroom 1977

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Iggy Pop’s The Idiot LP wasn’t just his solo debut forty-four years ago; the 1977 album marked his return after three years of laying low. Though credited solely to Pop, The Idiot was a collaboration between Iggy and his friend, David Bowie. The record featured an enormous contribution from Bowie in the form of production, composition and, possibly, as a musician (no official list of line-up credits has ever been published). Iggy has attributed his rebirth to Bowie, who he’s said “resurrected” him, and he’s spoken many times over the years of his appreciation for Bowie’s faith in him, and for his kindness.

In the early spring of 1977, while largely both ensconced in an apartment building in West Berlin, Pop and Bowie set out on the road together to promote The Idiot. Bowie became a member of Pop’s band for the six-week jaunt promoting the album playing the piano, keyboards, and providing backing vocals. Unlike today in the world of smartphones where fans around the world would have a video the moment Bowie stepped on stage, most of audience had no prior knowledge that he was part of Iggy’s group. 

Featured on this official screenprint are Iggy Pop's iconic concerts at the Agora Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 21st and 22nd. On that night, the Godfather of Punk had clearly got his mojo back as he sounded refreshed and invigorated, with his raw and impassioned lead vocals leading the band with unabashed fervor. The concerts were also recorded and became part of Iggy's live album TV Eye Live 1977.

Artist Akiko Stehrenberger illustrated this print, which, like much of her work, you may have to look long and hard at to catch an awesome hidden in-plain-sight design element:

I wanted to create something as in your face and raw as The Godfather of Punk himself. Iggy Pop’s performances are as iconic as his music. He invented the stage dive and his contorted, shirtless dance moves often consisted of backbends (which I was able to subtly add in the shadow of his nose and brow.) I also wanted to nod at xeroxed punk fliers and color waves of this era. - Akiko Stehrenberger