How Duff McKagan Survived A “Bad Trip” With The Help Of Iggy Pop

In a recent podcast appearance, Duff McKagan shared a story about how Iggy Pop helped him during a challenging situation.

As McKagan recalled, during his teenage years, he attended an Iggy Pop concert while under the influence of mushrooms, which led to a distressing experience. Feeling overwhelmed and on the verge of panic, McKagan thought he might need medical assistance.

However, something changed when Iggy Pop took the stage. McKagan found himself captivated by Pop’s performance, which helped to calm him down and ground him at the moment. This experience deepened McKagan’s admiration for Iggy Pop, seeing him as a significant influence in his life.

Duff McKagan and Iggy Pop’s Continuing Collaboration

Later in his career, McKagan had the opportunity to collaborate with Iggy Pop, marking a full circle in their relationship. In 1990, McKagan contributed to Pop’s album Brick by Brick, although he admitted that his enjoyment of the experience was somewhat hindered by his struggles with alcohol at the time.

Fast forward to 2023, McKagan found himself collaborating with Pop once again, this time on the album Every Loser. This experience allowed McKagan to create a musical journey intertwined with his personal history, selecting songs that held special significance to him.

Not only did McKagan play on the album, but he also joined Pop for a brief tour in support of the LP. In a gesture of reciprocity, Pop later featured on McKagan’s solo album Lighthouse, released in October. This collaboration marked a continuation of their musical journey, cementing the bond between the two artists.