Very sad. At least he had the opportunity for one more shot of glory the past few years.
One of the most memorable live shows I've seen was the show that Ron and Scott Asheton played at the Black Cat in 2001 with J Mascis and Mike Watt. Going in I had no expectations but hoped for the best. After Elf Power opened (Alkaline Trio was also on the bill but cancelled) J Mascis played a decent set of Dino Jr and solo stuff w/ Watt on bass . . . and then introduced the Asheton brothers. Ron walked out looking like he did - more like a autoworker, or carpenter, or civil war reenactor or guy who kills bucks with cross bows than rock icon. He didn't look like a guitar player, but he looked like a 'craftsman'. I think it started with him tearing into the opening riff of 'TV Eye' and it was incredible from second one. Everything immediately shunk around that riff and it electrified the room. Watt was singing Iggy, but it was just for show . . . he was just trying to hold on. Mascis was shrunken to irrelevancy. The room was just overtaken by pure pharmaceutical grade rock electricity of those riffs (and Scott's lumbering 'rock action').
Lucky for everyone that Iggy heard about that tour and wanted back in . . . .and lucky for us in DC that Seth got the Stooges to play an unforgettable show at the Club.
