The Iguanas - Where Iggy Pop Got His Start: 1963-1967

When it comes to Michigan rock stars, we always hear about Bob Seger, Ted Nugent, Eminem, Kid Rock, etc. When Michigan rock groups are mentioned, the usual suspects are Grand Funk, Romantics, MC5, The Stooges, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, etc.

But one we just don’t hear enough about is The Iguanas - featuring on drums, James Osterberg, who would later become known as Iggy Pop.

In 1963, the Iguanas were formed as a duo by Ann Arbor High students Osterberg (Iggy) on drums and Jim McLaughlin on lead guitar & vocals. They were later joined by other classmates Nick Kolokithas (rhythm guitar), Don Swickerath (bass), and Sam Swisher (saxophone).

By 1965, they were one of the top groups in the state, and released a single “Mona” / I Don’t Know Why” in 1965. Other tunes were recorded but left unreleased until Norton Records released an album of unreleased Iguana tracks in 1996.

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The band played all the usual venues: high school dances, UM frat houses, and various gigs throughout the mid-1960s. Fans who appreciated the band began calling Osterberg “Iggy” after the band name Iguanas.

When The Iguanas were set to release their first single, arguments arose as what the B-side should be. Osterberg wanted one of his self-written songs but the band overruled him and the flip side ended up being Kolokithas's "I Don't Know Why".

In 1966, their British Pop style was being overshadowed by the ever-growing harder sound of more experimental, psychedelic/blues-based music. Osterberg left The Iguanas and joined another band, The Prime Movers. After a major record company deal fell through, and without Iggy, The Iguanas disbanded in 1967, and Iggy was on his way with The Stooges.

Realizing the importance of the band’s legacy, The Iguanas were inducted into the Michigan Rock & Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2018.