JIM McLAUGHLIN
The Iguanas were formed in Ann Arbor, Michigan (home of the University of Michigan) in 1963 by James Osterberg (drums) and Jim McLaughlin (guitar); they were still in junior high when they first played together at a talent show. In an interview just before the release in early December 2016 of his new book, Total Chaos: The Story of the Stooges, Iggy Pop told Rolling Stone: “We practiced playing ‘What’d I Say’ by Ray Charles and something called ‘Let There Be Drums’ by Sandy Nelson, which was my idea because it was a drum solo, right?”
A saxophonist named Sam Swisher was added next, just in time for their first paying performance, at a school dance. Jim McLaughlin’s father had a home studio, and the Iguanas recorded an instrumental there soon after.
After two more bandmembers joined up by 1964, Nick Kolokithas (guitar) and Don Swickerath (bass), the quintet became a popular local band, playing teen clubs, dances, and frat parties.
Another Iguanas album came out the same year, Jumpin’ with the Iguanas on Desirable Discs II. According to Allmusic, with the success of that album, Jim McLaughlin, Nick Kolokithas and Don Swickerath announced their intentions of putting the band back together.
(December 2016)
