Tuesday 29th October 2013 by Andrew Trendell | Photos by WENN.com

Tags: Lou Reed

Lou Reed's cause of death has been confirmed as liver disease by the musical icon's doctor. 

The New York Times reports that Dr Charles Miller, of the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio where Reed surgery earlier this year and was being treated recently, stated that it was his liver condition that caused his death. 

While Reed's wife Laurie Anderson stated that he 'may never fully recover' following his surgery, the star himself hailed his operation as 'a triumph of modern medicine'.

Reed, 71, died on Sunday 27 October - before the likes of David Bowie, Nick Cave, Arctic Monkeys, John Cale, David Byrne and many more began to lead the tributes. 

Watch the video for 'Take A Walk On The Wild Side' below

"It's as serious as it gets. He was dying. You don't get it for fun," Anderson said at the time of Reed's surgery. "I don't think he'll ever totally recover from this, but he'll certainly be back to doing [things] in a few months. He's already working and doing t'ai chi. I'm very happy. It's a new life for him."

Reed came to widespread attention and acclaim with his work with The Velvet Underground, who were formed in 1964. Reed quit the band in 1970 and enjoyed a hugely successful solo career in the years that followed. With The Velvet Underground he released four studio albums between 1967 and 1970, but appeared on another eight releases after his departure.

As a solo artist, he released an epic 20 albums, beginning with his self-titled debut in 1972 and most recently, Hudson River Wind Meditations in 2007, although he collaborated with Metallica in 2011 on their joint release, Lulu. He was best known for tracks including 'Walk On The Wild Side' and 'Perfect Day' - which has been covered numerous times.

Below: From David Bowie to Arctic Monkeys - the artists inspired by Lou Reed