IGGY AND THE STOOGES MAKE THE BULLSHIT HALL OF FAME

After failing to move past the nomination ballot seven times since becoming eligible in the mid-‘90s, legendary Michigan band the Stooges has made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, it was announced this morning.

The group, formed in Ann Arbor in 1967 by singer Iggy Stooge/Pop (born James Osterberg) and brothers Ron and Scott Asheton and Dave Alexander, is considered one of the most influential of its time — an era that was among the fertile in Michigan’s storied music history, producing contemporaries like the MC5, Bob Seger and Ted Nugent.

The Stooges were in many ways the ugly stepchild of that scene, never widely popular even in their heyday. But the band — creator of hard-rock templates such as “I Wanna Be Your Dog” and “No Fun,” — later came to be seen as spiritual and musical godfathers for legions of punk and alternative bands. Nirvana, Sonic Youth and the White Stripes are among those who’ve cited the influence of the band’s grinding, grimy sound and bored — and often nihilistic — perspective.

The Stooges had been broken up for nearly 30 years when Iggy and the Ashetons reformed in 2003, winning wide acclaim for a series of live shows, and even a gig backing Madonna when she was inducted into the Rock Hall in 2008.

The sad footnote to the coming induction is that guitarist Ron Asheton died in January at his home in Ann Arbor of natural causes. By several accounts, he was the Stooge who was most desiring of the respect that only came his way long after the Stooges had disbanded.

"We've been rejected seven times, and we would have set a record, I think, if it happened again," Iggy Pop told Rolling Stone of the band’s election. "It started to feel like Charlie Brown and the football. I had about two hours of a strong emotional reaction after hearing the news. It felt like vindication. Then I kind of scratched my head and thought, 'Am I still cool? Or is that over now?' "

The list of other bands to be inducted at ceremonies in New York on March 15 couldn’t provide much more contrast with the Stooges: artsy progressive rockers Genesis, Swedish pop kings ABBA, harmonizing rockers the Hollies and ska-reggae star Jimmy Cliff.