Iggy Pop signs on to give tenth anniversary John Peel lecture

Godfather of punk to talk on free music in a capitalist society

The John Peel Lecture has previously been given by Pete Townshend of The Who, Billy Bragg and Charlotte Church (PA)

Iggy Pop is to make his public speaking debut with a lecture dedicated the late broadcaster John Peel on the subject of “free music in a capitalist society”.

The irrepressible Detroit rocker will address Radio Festival 2014 in Salford next month, delivering the annual John Peel Lecture days before the tenth anniversary of the death of the revered broadcaster.

“I've never given a lecture in my life,” he said. “But I’m going to attempt a discussion on the subject of free music in a capitalist society. This is a struggle which never ends.”

The John Peel Lecture has previously been given by Pete Townshend of The Who, Billy Bragg and Charlotte Church. Iggy Pop’s speech will be broadcast on BBC4 and BBC Radio 6 Music, on which he has a weekly show. Tickets for the lecture, on 13 October at the BBC’s Media City studios, have been priced at £99.

Peel was the first DJ in the UK to play Iggy Pop’s music when he played Little Doll by the rocker’s group The Stooges in August 1969.

“I get the feeling that John was the kind of guy who would have done his job for nothing, as long as he felt great about it, so we have that in common,” said the man sometimes referred to as the godfather of punk.

“Examining his life, I was interested to learn that he found his voice in large part through his wanderings in America. Sometimes it takes strange circumstances to provide a mirror in which to find yourself. Anyway, he's done a lot to give others a voice, and that's the most important gift you can give.”