The Airwaves CourierExtra

Lou Reed

American rock musician (1942–2013)

Lewis Allan Reed was an American musician, songwriter, and poet. He was the guitarist, lead 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.

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Admit one

Lou Reed

what: one person
from: Brooklyn
born: 1942
until: 2013
on the air here: 0 songs
still after: 1 song

File card: Lou Reed

real name: Lewis Allan Reed

labels: Warner Bros. Records, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, RCA, Pickwick, Verve Records, MGM Records, RCA Records, Arista Records

genres: rock music, proto-punk, alternative rock, noise rock, experimental rock, glam rock, folk rock, psychedelic rock

awards: Steiger Award, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy Awards

plays: guitar, voice

member of: The Velvet Underground

Facts from Wikidata and Discogs, free to use.

art rockrockglam rockhard rocknoisepop rock

The Broken RecordExtra

1942–1957: Early life

Lewis Allan Reed was born on March 2, 1942, at Beth-El Hospital (now Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center) in Brownsville, Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in suburban Freeport, New York, on Long Island where he felt isolated and was bullied at school. Reed was the son of Toby (née Futterman) (1920–2013) and Sidney Joseph Reed (1913–2005), an accountant. His family was Jewish; his grandparents were Russian and Polish Jews who had immigrated to the United States in the first decade of the 20th century, fleeing antisemitism; his father had changed his surname from Rabinowitz to Reed.

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Radio Free Elsewhere BulletinExtra

1958–1964: Early recordings and education

Reed's first recording was as a member of a doo-wop trio called the Jades, with Reed providing guitar accompaniment and backing vocals. After participating in a talent show at Freeport Junior High School in early 1958 and receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience, the group was given the chance to record an original single, "So Blue" / "Leave Her for Me", later that year. While the single did not chart, notable saxophonist King Curtis was brought in as a session musician by the producer Bob Shad to play on both songs, and the single was played by a substitute DJ during the Murray the K radio show, which gave Reed his first-ever airplay. Reed's love for playing music and his desire to play gigs brought him into confrontation with...

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Radio Free Elsewhere BulletinExtra

Death, legacy, and honors

Reed had hepatitis and diabetes for several years. He was treated with interferons but developed liver cancer. In May 2013, he underwent a liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic. Afterward, he wrote on his website of feeling "bigger and stronger" than ever. On October 27, 2013, however, he died from liver disease at his home in East Hampton, New York, at the age of 71. He was cremated and the ashes were given to his family.

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American musician, songwriter, poet, and photographer Born March 2, 1942, Brooklyn, New York - Died October 27, 2013, Southampton, New York Reed's music career began in 1958, when he recorded with his high school band, . During his time at Syracuse University in the early 1960's he formed a series of bands, but was most deeply impacted by his professor, American poet and writer Delmore Schwartz. Following college, he became a stock songwriter/musician for , and then in 1964, with John Cale, formed . In 1970, he left the Velvet Underground during the recording of Loaded. He signed a contract with RCA Records in 1971 and continued to perform until shortly before his death. He was married to Bettye Kronstad (ca. 1973-1974), (1980–1994), and Laurie Anderson (2008–2013). Also known as: L .Reed, L Reed, L. A. Reed, L. H. Read, L. Read From Discogs (free to use). Their entry