R.I.P. Stooges Guitarist Ron Asheton

Sad news, Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton (above right) was found dead this morning at his home in Ann Arbor, MI at age 60. The cause of death has yet to be determined but according to AP , police do not suspect foul play.

Along with his drummer brother Scott, frontman Iggy Pop, and late bassist Dave Alexander, Asheton formed the influential garage/punk band in Michigan in the late '60s. The group split in 1974 after making a trio of noisy, raw, nervy albums and giving a slew of tumultuous, provocative performances. While not big commercial successes at the time, the albums - and their guttural sounds- were highly influential, and songs like "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "Search and Destroy" became popular covers with a wide range of bands.

After a nearly 30-year break the group reunited, with Mike Watt filling in for Alexander. In 2007 the band released the album "The Weirdness" and embarked on several tours which included a raucous stop at the Orpheum Theatre.

Here's a look at Asheton and the Stooges in action from a stadium gig in 2004.