Biography
Lou Reed (born Lewis Allan Reed, March 2, 1942) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, born in Brooklyn and raised in suburban Freeport, Long Island.[1]
He studied English at Syracuse University, where the poet Delmore Schwartz was a mentor, and graduated in 1964 before writing songs for Pickwick Records in New York.[1] In 1965 he co-founded the Velvet Underground with John Cale, Sterling Morrison and Angus MacLise; managed by Andy Warhol, the band became hugely influential despite weak sales.[1]
After leaving in 1970 and a poorly received solo debut,[2] he broke through with Transformer (1972), produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson and led by "Walk on the Wild Side."[1] Later work included Berlin (1973) and the polarising Metal Machine Music (1975).[1]
He married Laurie Anderson in 2008, received a liver transplant in May 2013 and died in October 2013. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Velvet Underground in 1996 and as a solo artist in 2015.[1]
References
- Lou Reed - Wikipedia — Biographical details: education, Velvet Underground, solo career and Transformer's success.
- Lou Reed's Transformer album anniversary - Albumism — Context on Reed's failed solo debut, Bowie and Ronson's production, release date and the album's themes.