Lou Reed was an American musician, songwriter, and poet, known for his influential role in rock music from 1942 to 2013.
Reed is often referred to as the 'Godfather of Punk' for his pioneering contributions to the genre.
Reed had a complex personal life, marrying three times and having significant relationships with various artists, including Laurie Anderson.
Biography
Early Life
Lewis Allan Reed was born on March 2, 1942, in the United States. He grew up to become a prominent figure in the music world, known for his distinctive voice and poetic lyrics. Reed's early influences included literature and poetry, which shaped his songwriting style and led him to explore themes that were often considered transgressive during the 1960s, such as drugs and sexuality.
Career
Reed first gained fame as the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the influential rock band The Velvet Underground. Although the band was not commercially successful during its initial run, it has since been recognized as one of the most important bands in the history of underground and alternative rock music. After the band disbanded, Reed embarked on a solo career that spanned five decades, releasing numerous albums including "Transformer," "Berlin," and "Metal Machine Music." His work is characterized by a blend of genres, including rock, glam rock, and experimental music, earning him the title of "Godfather of Punk."
Personal Life
Reed's personal life was as complex as his music. He married Bettye Kronstad in 1973, but their relationship was tumultuous. He later had a significant relationship with trans woman Rachel Humphreys and married British designer Sylvia Morales in 1980, though they divorced in 1994. Reed found lasting companionship with musician Laurie Anderson, whom he married in 2008. Despite his Jewish background, Reed famously stated that his "real god was rock 'n' roll" and practiced tai chi and meditation in his later years.
Legacy
Reed's health declined in his later years due to hepatitis and diabetes, leading to a liver transplant in 2013. He passed away on October 27, 2013, from liver disease. His death prompted tributes from numerous artists, highlighting his profound impact on music and culture. Reed's legacy endures through his innovative contributions to rock music and his influence on generations of musicians.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Lulu2011
- 1.Brandenburg Gate4:22
- 2.The View5:21
- 3.Pumping Blood7:24
- 4.Mistress Dread6:53
- 5.Iced Honey4:38
- 6.Cheat on Me11:26
- 7.Frustration8:34
- 8.Little Dog8:02
- 9.Dragon11:10
- 10.Junior Dad19:29
Hudson River Wind Meditations2007
- 1.Move Your Heart28:56
- 2.Find Your Note31:35
- 3.Hudson River Wind (Blend the Ambiance)1:51
- 4.Wind Coda5:23
The Raven2003
- 1.Overture1:06
- 2.Edgar Allan Poe3:21
- 3.Call on Me2:08
- 4.The Valley of Unrest2:27
- 5.A Thousand Departed Friends4:58
- 6.Change2:18
- 7.The Bed3:32
- 8.Perfect Day3:28
- 9.The Raven6:30
- 10.Balloon1:02
- 11.Broadway Song3:12
- 12.Blind Rage3:26
- 13.Burning Embers3:22
- 14.Vanishing Act5:23
- 15.Guilty4:55
- 16.I Wanna Know (The Pit and the Pendulum)6:59
- 17.Science of the Mind1:36
- 18.Hop Frog1:47
- 19.Tripitena's Speech2:19
- 20.Who Am I (Tripitena's Song)4:31
- 21.Guardian Angel6:52
Ecstasy2000
- 1.Paranoia Key of E4:28
- 2.Mystic Child5:02
- 3.Mad4:29
- 4.Ecstasy4:25
- 5.Modern Dance4:10
- 6.Tatters5:56
- 7.Future Farmers of America3:02
- 8.Turning Time Around4:22
- 9.White Prism4:00
- 10.Rock Minuet6:57
- 11.Baton Rouge4:55
- 12.Like a Possum18:03
- 13.Rouge1:01
- 14.Big Sky6:33
Set the Twilight Reeling1996
- 1.Egg Cream5:18
- 2.NYC Man4:56
- 3.Finish Line3:24
- 4.Trade In4:59
- 5.Hang On to Your Emotions3:46
- 6.Sex With Your Parents (Motherfucker), Part II (recorded live July 4th, 1995)3:38
- 7.HookyWooky4:19
- 8.The Proposition3:27
- 9.Adventurer4:18
- 10.Riptide7:47
- 11.Set the Twilight Reeling5:04
Magic and Loss1992
- 1.Dorita (The Spirit)1:07
- 2.What's Good (The Thesis)3:22
- 3.Power and Glory (The Situation)4:23
- 4.Magician (Internally)6:23
- 5.Sword of Damocles (Externally)3:42
- 6.Goodby Mass (In a Chapel Bodily Termination)4:25
- 7.Cremation (Ashes to Ashes)2:54
- 8.Dreamin' (Escape)5:09
- 9.No Chance (Regret)3:15
- 10.Warrior King (Revenge)4:27
- 11.Harry's Circumcision (Reverie Gone Astray)5:29
- 12.Gassed and Stoked (Loss)4:18
- 13.Power and Glory, Part II (Magic - Transformation)2:57
- 14.Magic and Loss (The Summation)6:39
Songs for Drella1990
- 1.Smalltown2:04
- 2.Open House4:17
- 3.Style It Takes2:54
- 4.Work2:37
- 5.Trouble With Classicists3:41
- 6.Starlight3:28
- 7.Faces and Names4:12
- 8.Images3:30
- 9.Slip Away (A Warning)3:05
- 10.It Wasn't Me3:30
- 11.I Believe3:18
- 12.Nobody but You3:46
- 13.A Dream6:33
- 14.Forever Changed4:52
- 15.Hello It's Me3:04
New York1989
- 1.Romeo Had Juliette3:11
- 2.Halloween Parade3:33
- 3.Dirty Blvd.3:29
- 4.Endless Cycle4:03
- 5.There Is No Time3:46
- 6.Last Great American Whale3:42
- 7.Beginning of a Great Adventure4:57
- 8.Busload of Faith4:50
- 9.Sick of You3:26
- 10.Hold On3:25
- 11.Good Evening Mr. Waldheim4:37
- 12.Xmas in February2:58
- 13.Strawman5:54
- 14.Dime Store Mystery5:03
Mistrial1986
- 1.Mistrial3:23
- 2.No Money Down3:10
- 3.Outside3:03
- 4.Don’t Hurt a Woman4:00
- 5.Video Violence5:37
- 6.Spit It Out3:41
- 7.The Original Wrapper3:38
- 8.Mama’s Got a Lover4:13
- 9.I Remember You3:13
- 10.Tell It to Your Heart5:13
New Sensations1984
- 1.I Love You, Suzanne3:19
- 2.Endlessly Jealous3:57
- 3.My Red Joystick3:36
- 4.Turn to Me4:22
- 5.New Sensations5:43
- 6.Doin' the Things That We Want To3:55
- 7.What Becomes a Legend Most3:37
- 8.Fly Into the Sun3:05
- 9.My Friend George3:52
- 10.High in the City3:27
- 11.Down at the Arcade3:40
Legendary Hearts1983
- 1.Legendary Hearts3:30
- 2.Don't Talk to Me About Work2:12
- 3.Make Up My Mind2:55
- 4.Martial Law3:57
- 5.The Last Shot3:24
- 6.Turn Out the Light2:50
- 7.Pow Wow2:33
- 8.Betrayed3:13
- 9.Bottoming Out3:44
- 10.Home of the Brave6:55
- 11.Rooftop Garden3:05
Historia de la música rock - 271982
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Blue Mask1982
- 1.My House5:25
- 2.Women4:57
- 3.Underneath the Bottle2:34
- 4.The Gun3:41
- 5.The Blue Mask5:07
- 6.Average Guy3:13
- 7.The Heroine3:06
- 8.Waves of Fear4:11
- 9.The Day John Kennedy Died4:09
- 10.Heavenly Arms4:48
Growing Up in Public1980
Tracklist not collected yet.
Rock and Roll Diary 1967–19801980
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Bells1979
Tracklist not collected yet.
Street Hassle1978
Tracklist not collected yet.
Walk on the Wild Side: The Best of Lou Reed1977
Tracklist not collected yet.
Rock and Roll Heart1976
Tracklist not collected yet.
Metal Machine Music1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Coney Island Baby1975
Tracklist not collected yet.
Sally Can’t Dance1974
Tracklist not collected yet.
Berlin1973
Tracklist not collected yet.
Transformer1972
Tracklist not collected yet.
Lou Reed1972
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Sire
- Record label
- Warner Records
- Record label
- Warner Bros. Records
- Record label
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Record label
- RCA
- Record label
- Pickwick
- Record label
- Verve Records
- Record label
- MGM Records
- Record label
- RCA Records
- Record label
- Arista Records
Achievements
- Award
- Steiger Award
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- Award
- Grammy Awards
Groups
- Metal Machine Triooriginalcurrent
- The Conspiratorscurrent
- The Roughneckscurrent
- The Velvet Undergroundguitar, lead vocals, original, piano · 1965–1970
- The Velvet Undergroundguitar, lead vocals, original, piano · 1992–1996
Similar artists
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Lewis Allen Reed, Lewis Reed, Lou Read, Lou Red, Lou Ree, Reed
Lewis Allan Reed was an American musician, songwriter and poet. 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.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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