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The first full week of 2009 started off most miserably, when news of the death of pioneering punk guitarist Ron Asheton was announced. The man whose distinctive sledgehammer riffs provided the perfect foil for Iggy Pop's sneering vocals on the Stooges' landmark recordings was found dead of an apparent heart attack in his Ann Arbor home Tuesday morning; he was only 60 years old and had recently enjoyed newfound success with the reunited Stooges, who'd been touring off and on since 2003 and had released their comeback album The Weirdness in 2007.

A statement issued by Iggy Pop, drummer Scott Asheton (Ron's brother), saxophonist Steve Mackay, bassist Mike Watt, and the band's management read: "We are shocked and shaken by the news of Ron's death. He was a great friend, brother, musician, trooper. Irreplaceable. He will be missed. For all that knew him behind the facade of Mr. Cool & Quirky, he was a kind-hearted, genuine, warm person who always believed that people meant well even if they did not. As a musician Ron was 'The Guitar God,' idol to follow and inspire others. That is how he will be remembered by people who had a great pleasure to work with him, learn from him and share good and bad times with him."

Iggy Pop personally, sadly, added: "I am in shock. He was my best friend."

We at That's Really Week echo the statements above; we too shall miss Ron. And we have a feeling in a couple weeks we'll be reporting on the Stooges' long-awaited induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame; the band has been on the nominees' shortlist many times but unjustly passed over for years, but there's nothing like a tragic death to garner a band some much-overdue recognition.

In other fatality-related news, Dr. Jan Adams, the plastic surgeon who operated on Kanye West's mother Donda shortly before her own tragic death, has been sentenced to a year in jail. However, his lockup has nothing to do with alleged medical malpractice or with Donda at all; instead he's being imprisoned after pleading guilty to drunk driving charges. Yet it should be noted that at the time of Donda's surgery last year, the Medical Board Of California was seeking to remove Dr. Adams' medical license because of his multiple alcohol-related arrests. Now we can only wonder if Kanye, whose newest album 808s & Heartbreak was inspired by his mother's passing, thinks this is sweet justice.

In other serious, sad news, this week Amy Winehouse and her superstar producer Mark Ronson, both of whom are Jewish, were allegedly targeted by Islamic extremists. U.K. newspaper The Sun reported that a post in a forum on Ummah.com called for users to compile "a list of top Jews we can target," and the list included both Amy and Mark's names. British anti-terror expert Glen Jenvey told The Sun that these threats should not be taken lightly: "The Ummah website has been used by extremists. Those listed should treat it very seriously. Expect a hate campaign and intimidation by 20 or 30 thugs." As if Amy Winehouse didn't have enough troubles...

Another woman who is no stranger to trouble, tragedy, or terrorism is Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari, the 18-year-old daughter of late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. And now Bakhtawar is letting her own voice be heard, writing and producing a rap called "I Would Take Away The Pain" about her mother, who was assasinated in December 2007. Bakhtawar's tribute was uploaded to YouTube this week and gives a chilling account of her mother's slaying and also praises her mom for her courage as an activist. This young woman's own courage for creating such an honest song should be praised as well.

And finally, on the subject of death, an unusual piece of rock 'n' roll memorabilia is going up for auction on eBay soon. The son of 1950s rocker the Big Bopper--the "Chantilly Lace" singer who died in an infamous small-plane crash alongside Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly--has announced plans to sell the steel casket in which his late father was buried for 48 years. The Bopper's son, J.P. Richardson, plans to use the money from the auction to fund a musical show about his late dad, who died before he was born.

But it wasn't all about death and death threats this week, of course. Many pop-music It-Girls made headlines on the lighter side of the news, too. Britney Spears ' Twitter account was hacked by a prankster with a very colorful vocabulary; Katy Perry became a single lady again after splitting from her boyfriend, Gym Class Heroes MC Travis McCoy; and Lindsay Lohan and her gal pal Samantha Ronson (Mark's sister) denied that they were splitting up at all. Surely stories like these balance out the more serious ones detailed in the paragraphs above.

And on that lighthearted note, thus concludes another week in music news. Come back next week for more headspinning headlines, and until then--goodnight, and good music.

THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 STORIES:

1) No Fun - The Stooges' guitarist, Ron Asheton, died at age 60.

2) You Know That They're No Good - Extremists make threats against Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson.

3) South Asian Sensation - Pakistan's Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari raps about her slain Prime Minister mother.

4) Kanye Gets Justice - The plastic surgeon who operated on Donda West is sentenced to jail.

5) Britters Gets Twittered - Britney Spears' Twitter account is hacked.

6) These Gals Are Still Pals - Lindsay Lohan and Samantha Ronson deny they've broken up.

7) Eminem Unbottled - His upcoming single "Crack A Bottle" leaks online.

8) Katy Perry Free To Kiss Girls Again - She splits with her boyfriend, Travis McCoy.

9) Bon Jovi To Hilary Clinton: "I'll Be There For You" - Jon will perform at a fundraiser to clear Hilary's campaign debt.

10) Shop Till You Bopper - Now the Big Bopper's coffin is available for sale on eBay.