James Williamson

During their short yet highly influential career, the Stooges featured two lead guitarists: first Ron Asheton, then James Williamson. Whereas Asheton's style (as heard on 1969's The Stooges and 1970's Fun House) was earthy and entirely feel-based, feeding off the energy of other members, Williamson's playing (which dominated 1973's Raw Power) was aggressive and in-your-face; it was almost as if the rest of the group was trying to keep up with him. Williamson's ferocious attack would prove tremendously influential when punk rock exploded a few years after Raw Power's release, t...