Historical Figure
Lou Reed
1942–2013
American rock musician (1942–2013)
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Biography
Lewis Allan Reed was an American musician and songwriter. He was the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the rock band the Velvet Underground and had a solo career that spanned five decades. Although not commercially successful during its existence, the Velvet Underground came to be regarded as one of the most influential bands in the history of underground and alternative rock music. Reed's distinctive deadpan voice, poetic and transgressive lyrics, and experimental guitar playing were trademarks throughout his long career.
Timeline
The story of Lou Reed, told in moments.
The Velvet Underground & Nico is released. Andy Warhol produces it. The banana cover. It sells almost nothing. Brian Eno later says that everyone who bought one of the 30,000 copies started a band.
Releases Transformer, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. "Walk on the Wild Side" becomes a hit despite lyrics about drag queens, hustlers, and oral sex. Radio stations either don't notice or don't care.
Releases Metal Machine Music, a double album of guitar feedback and electronics with no songs, no vocals, no melodies. Fans return it in droves. RCA recalls it. Reed insists it's his masterpiece. Decades later, classical musicians perform it at concert halls.
Dies at his home in Southampton, Long Island. Liver disease. His wife, Laurie Anderson, described his final moments as "like a 21-gram birdie." He was 71.
In Their Own Words (20)
Of course. All the best people are.
When asked if he was Jewish. Quoted in The Jewish Chronicle obituary, 1 November 2013, p. 31, 2013
He's probably the single most untalented person I've heard in my life. He's a two-bit pretentious academic, and he can't play rock'n'roll, because he's a loser. And that's why he dresses up funny. He's not happy with himself, and I think he's right.
On Frank Zappa in Uptight: The Velvet Underground Story (1996) by Victor Bockris and Gerard Malanga, 1996
Candy came from out on the Island In the backroom she was everybody's darlin' But she never lost her head Even when she was giving head She says, Hey babe Take a walk on the wild side
'''' Full lyrics online, 1970
Jesse you say Common GroundDoes that include the ?
Good Evening Mr. Waldheim
Anyone that gets to side four is dumber than I am.
Of his 'Metal Machine Music' double album, as quoted at BBC - collective - Lou Reed: RR Buyer's Guide (and elsewhere; please put the original here if you know it.)
Artifacts (15)
I offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pennsylvania, a state I dearly lov...
gized for his performance, stating that he was "naive" and "misunderstood" the role of a moderator. "I offer my sincere apologies to the people of Pennsylvania, a state I dearly love," Trebek...
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