“I like to mix the dirt with the music.” Iggy Pop on Late Night with David Letterman, 1988
Iggy Pop appeared on NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman three times in the 1980s, and they were all memorable TV events. Iggy is, of course, as only Iggy can be, giving uninhibited performances in which he dances wildly and alternates between turning his back on the audience and confronting them. These were totally thrilling talk show segments and worth staying up (or setting your VCR) for back in the day. The Ig was also a charming and quotable interviewee; he and Dave, on the surface, seem to be hugely mismatched individuals, but they have a surprisingly great rapport, likely finding an unsaid common ground in the their shared midwestern sensibilities.
Iggy continued to pop up on Late Night and has been seen frequently on the subsequent Late Show with David Letterman over the years. You can’t beat these 1980s appearances, but he’s always waaaay more entertaining than the average boob tube talk show guest. This is, after all, Iggy Fucking Pop!
“Eat or Be Eaten,” December 8th, 1982 (unfortunately, the interview portion isn’t online):
“Real Wild Child” + interview, February 16th, 1987:
“Cold Metal” (with Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols) + interview, July 21st, 1988:
Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Iggy Pop performs ‘Bang, Bang’ on German TV, from 1981
No fun: Iggy Pop on American Idol
The Idiot: Iggy Pop totally charms square daytime TV audience, 1977