Ron Asheton

Ron Asheton, whose scorching and energetic guitar work behind singer Iggy Pop in the Michigan punk band the Stooges established a new model of raw emotion for a succeeding generation of punk, grunge and alternative rockers, has died. He was 60. Asheton's body was discovered Tuesday at his home in Ann Arbor, Mich., after his personal assistant had been unable to reach him. Ann Arbor Police Sgt.

Mike Watt, bassist for the Minutemen and Firehose, was invited in 2003 by Iggy Pop to join the Stooges when the seminal Michigan band reunited for its first performance in nearly 30 years at the Coachella Valley Arts & Music Festival. He continued to perform and record as a Stooge alongside founding members Ron Asheton, the guitarist who was found dead this week; his brother, drummer Scott Asheton; and saxophonist Steve Mackay. Watt spoke Tuesday to The Times' Randy Lewis about his close friend.

Will tongues be wagging at next year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony? Specifically, the prodigious one that belongs to Gene Simmons of KISS, one of a dozen acts that made the final ballot from which five 2010 honorees will be chosen. Along with KISS, on the ballot for the first time are the Red Hot Chili Peppers, LL Cool J, Laura Nyro, Jimmy Cliff, the Hollies and Genesis. Returning for another shot at induction this year are the Stooges (whose lead guitarist, Ron Asheton, died in January)