Asheton was born in Washington D.C.[3] He already had five years of practice on the accordion behind him when he began playing guitar at age 10. Asheton was on the Stooges first two albums, and later appeared as bassist for their third, Raw Power, when he was replaced in both instrument and songwriting prominence by The Stooges' new guitar player, James Williamson. When the Stooges reformed, however, he once again appeared as the band's guitarist.

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