The Idiot  by Iggy Pop

Behind the first solo album of Iggy Pop, there is clearly one and only person, that of David Bowie. In the mid-1970s, both Iggy Pop and David Bowie were deeply immersed in the world of drugs. Thus, they decided to leave the U.S. and both move to Europe, in order to escape from that world.

The result of this decision artistically materialized in The Idiot, the first album of Iggy Pop, which was far removed from his work with the Stooges. The eight songs of the album resonate within the spirit of art rock and are creations of Pop and Bowie, except for the first song that opens the album, Sister Midnight, which also features the participation of guitarist Carlos Alomar. The Idiot was recorded in the summer of 1976 partly at Château d'Hérouville outside of Paris and partly at Musicland Studios in Munich. The Idiot was finally released in March 1977. Immediately after its recording was completed, David Bowie began recording his own album, Low.

The great success of the album was China Girl - it later appeared on Let's Dance (1983) by David Bowie in a more pop version. The Idiot reached No.30 in the United Kingdom and No.72 in the United States of America. However, the real significance of the album is that it marked a new career for both musicians/performers.