Genres Hard rock, protopunk Labels Elektra Records Albums Fun House, The Stooges Years active 1967–1970 Education Pioneer High School | Instruments bass Role Musician Name Dave Alexander | |
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Birth name David Michael Alexander Born June 3, 1947 ( 1947-06-03 ) Died February 10, 1975, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States Similar People Scott Asheton, Ron Asheton, Iggy Pop, James Williamson, Steve Mackay | ||
Occupation(s) Musician, songwriter Music group The Stooges (1967 – 1970) | ||
David Michael Alexander (June 3, 1947 – February 10, 1975) was an American musician, best known as the original bassist for influential protopunk band The Stooges.
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Biography
After his family relocated to Ann Arbor, Michigan from Whitmore Lake, Michigan, Alexander attended Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor where he met brothers Ron and Scott Asheton. "Zander" (as Alexander was known) dropped out after 45 minutes on the first day of his senior year in 1965 to win a bet. Later in 1965 Ron sold his motorcycle and they went to England to see The Who and to "try and find The Beatles".
Alexander and the Asheton brothers soon met Iggy Pop and formed The Stooges in 1967. Although Alexander was a total novice on his instrument, he was a quick learner and subsequently had a hand in arranging, composing and performing all of the songs that appeared on the band's first two albums, The Stooges and Fun House. He is often credited by Pop and was credited by the late Ron Asheton in interviews with being the primary composer of the music for the Stooges songs "We Will Fall", "Little Doll" (both on The Stooges), "Dirt" and "1970" (Fun House).
Alexander was fired from the band in August 1970 after showing up at the Goose Lake International Music Festival too drunk to play.
Death
Alexander died of pulmonary edema in 1975 at the age of 27 in Ann Arbor after being admitted to a hospital for pancreatitis, which was linked to his drinking.