Classic Pop Icons

Legendary singer and songwriter Lou Reed died of a liver-related ailment in New York on Sunday morning (Oct 27). The former Velvet Underground frontman had a liver transplant earlier this year.

Reed was a native New Yorker, born in Brooklyn on March 2, 1942. The teenage Reed developed a fascination with the new rock ‘n’ roll music of the 1950s and joined a doo wop group called The Jades before heading to Syracuse University to study film directing, creative writing and journalism. After a period as a late night DJ, Reed moved to New York City in 1964 and began work as an in-house songwriter for Pickwick Records. It was in this period that he met Welsh musician John Cale and formed the group the Primitives, which would later become the Velvet Underground with the addition of Reed’s college friends, guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker.

The band soon came to the attention of artist Andy Warhol, who incorporated them into his Exploding Plastic Inevitable (a series of shows featuring screenings of Warhol’s films, and performances by the Velvet Underground and other members of Warhol’s Factory).

(Left to right) Nico, Maureen Tucker, Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed & John Cale

Warhol teamed up the Velvet Underground with a German model/singer called Nico for their debut album “The Velvet Underground & Nico”, which was a commercial flop but would go on to be regarded by many as one of the most significant albums of the decade. Key tracks include “Heroin,” “Venus In Furs” and “Sunday Morning”.

“Venus In Furs” – The Velvet Underground

“Sunday Morning” – The Velvet Underground

Reed left the Velvet Underground in 1970 after a tumultuous period which had seen Nico and Cale leave, and Warhol fired. Reed then embarked on a solo career in England, which took off with his second effort, “Transformer,” which was co-produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. “Transformer” also yielded the hit single for which Reed will likely be best remembered, “A Walk on the Wild Side”.

“A Walk on the Wild Side” – Lou Reed

“Transformer” also featured the song “Perfect Day” which would be resurrected in 1997 for a multi-artist charity single, which Reed briefly appeared on.

Reed recorded 20+ solo albums in the decades that followed “Transformer”, reunited on more than one occasion for shows with the Velvet Underground, and topped off his recording career with a 2011 collaboration with Metallica titled “Lulu”. He earned a reputation as an honest, original, uncompromising, experimental, influential, and always interesting artist.

Many friends and admirers have paid tribute to Reed today:

“The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet… I’ve lost my ‘school-yard buddy'” – John Cale

“[He was] generous, encouraging and thoughtful. Working with him sometimes could be trying to some people, but never to me. I guess we learned from each other. We all learned from each other” – Maureen Tucker

“He was a master” – David Bowie

“Lou Reed was an exceptionally gifted singer, songwriter, and musician who has had a profound impact on rock music and our culture. Both his work with the Velvet Underground and his solo efforts are legendary, introducing avant-garde rock to the mainstream. “His uniquely stripped down style of guitar playing and poetic lyrics have had a massive influence across many rock genres, including punk and alternative. We have lost a true visionary and creative leader, and his groundbreaking work will forever hold its rightful place in music history. Our thoughts and condolences go out to his family, fans and those he inspired” – Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy

“RIP Lou Reed. Thank you for your beautiful/dark lyrics/music and stance on life. You inspired me from my teenage years right up till today” – Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue

“One of my all-time heroes and friends has passed. RIP Lou” – Dave Navarro of Janes Addiction

“My intro to Lou Reed/Velvet Underground was Janes Addiction cover of ‘Rock n Roll’. He was a singular, unique talent. RIP Lou and thanks,” while Paul Stanley of KISS called him “a musician, artist and trailblazer who played by his own rules” – Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave

“From Maxes to the masses, you made the world sing” – Steven Tyler of Aerosmith

“His music has shaped my life. He wrote so many of my favorite songs. R.I.P. Lou…. your great, great legacy lives on in millions and millions of people. Thank you” – Wendy James, former lead singer of Transvision Vamp

“R.I.P. Lou… A Real Original… x” – Julian Lennon

“LOU REED, Thanks for the Memories!!! May you know eternal rest. with Great Love and Affection, your friend ~ D” – Dion Dimucci

“The great & amazing Lou Reed has died my condolences to his wife Laurie Anderson. Lou was 1 of a kind & this colored girl still says dededede…” – Whoopi Goldberg

“RIP Lou Reed. One of the greatest” – Ricky Gervais

“R.I.P. Lou Reed. Just met at the GQ Awards. The music of my generation. Still Relevant!” – Samuel L Jackson