Iggy Pop Celebrates 73rd Birthday with Calypso Style Cover of Sly Stone’s ‘Family Affair’

Iggy at 73 years old celebrates Family Affair - Courtesy
Iggy at 73 years old celebrates Family Affair - Courtesy

By JOHN DALY

Iggy Pop has released a modern version of the Sly and the Family Stone classic “Family Affair,” just in time for his 73rd birthday.

Pop, whose musical taste runs the gamut and who can be heard on Fridays on his BBC 6 radio show, most recently released the album Free. 

Pop said the track “Family Affair” had been keeping him company during the Coronavirus lockdown, adding: “I hoped I could put it out and it would be good company for someone else too.” His birthday was April 21.

The latest track is a cool and funky groove that takes the hit 1971 song to a new level, but still respects the original appeal of Sly Stone’s heartfelt presentation. Pop’s woozy crooner vocals and calypso beat give the track a new life and it’s exactly the remedy for the Covid-weary listening public. Bootsy Collins plays bass on the track.

“Family Affair”
Recorded and engineered by Olivier Ferrand, Studio Los Angeles
Engineering: James Dellatacoma
Mixed at Orange Music Studio, West Orange, NJ
Produced and Mixed by Bill Laswell
Coordination: Yoko Yamabe
Mastered by Mickaël Rangeard QDS Mastering, Paris.
Written by Sylvester Stewart
Published by Mijac Music (BMI)/Sony ATV Music Publishing

Check out ‘Family Affair’ here: