The Idiot is Iggy Pop's first solo album, released on March 18, 1977. It was mainly recorded at Château d'Hérouville in France and Hansa Tonstudios in Berlin, with David Bowie producing and co-writing most of the songs.
The album was conceived during Iggy Pop and David Bowie's stay in Berlin, a period of rehabilitation for Iggy. Musically, it blends rock, art rock, and electronic elements, influencing post-punk and industrial rock. The song 'China Girl' was later covered by Bowie on his album Let's Dance.
Although initially met with mixed reviews, The Idiot is now regarded as a seminal work. Iggy Pop described it as 'a travel album' and it marked a shift toward a darker, more experimental sound, moving away from the direct punk of the Stooges.