RIP, Lou Reed

Lou Reed had a liver transplant in May, and apparently never fully recovered. He died yesterday in Long Island this weekend.

Lou Reed was the legendary frontman of the Velvet Underground, with their famous manager, artist Andy Warhol. While the Velvet Underground did not actually last that long as a band, they were a highly influential band that hit harder than their weight. Many credit them with being among the very first punk bands in history, and made it into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

After the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed enjoyed a successful solo career, which included the megahit "Walk On the Wild Side", among other hits.

Reed brought a grimness and unflinching look at the less glamorous side of life in his words and music. His off stage life became the stuff of legend in the seventies, with heavy drug use and sexual episodes that raised many eyebrows.

Reed did not dominate the Billboards or anything, yet he is credited by many people for being one of the most influential musicians of his time, with an accessible style and poignancy in approach and lyrics.

Lou Reed was 71 years old.




"Lou Reed, Velvet Underground Leader and Rock Pioneer, Dead at 71" by Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone, October 27, 2013

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lou-reed-velvet-underground-leader-and-rock-pioneer-dead-at-71-20131027




"Rock legend Lou Reed dies at 71" by Steve Almasy and Matt Smith, CNN, Sun October 27, 2013

http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/27/showbiz/lou-reed-obit/




Lou Reed dead at 71: 'Take a Walk on the Wild Side' icon posts last tweet today (Video)

http://www.examiner.com/article/lou-reed-dead-at-71-take-a-walk-on-the-wild-side-icon-posts-last-tweet-today