More about: Lou Reed

On what would have been his 81st birthday, Lou Reed remains one of the defining figures in alternative music. 

Both as a member of the Velvet Underground and a solo artist, his music challenged and changed conventional ideas around songwriting, performance, and subject matter. His uncompromising attitude paved the way for generations of artists, cementing his place as perhaps the most influential musician in the history of rock music.

Born in New York in 1942, Reed first began writing songs as a teenager. He went on to study at Syracuse University and later earned a degree from New York's Columbia University, where he met his future Velvet Underground bandmate, John Cale.

Named after a book on sadomasochism, The Velvet Underground’s sound was characterised by Reed's gritty, streetwise lyrics, and Cale's experimental soundscapes. Their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground and Nico, remains their most famous work. Its renowned Andy Warhol-designed cover set the tone for the band’s alternative approach, and its explorations of drug use, sadomasochism, and homosexuality laid against raw, abrasive instrumentation would largely prove to be too ‘out there’ for audiences at the time.

Its follow-up, White Light/White Heat came a year later and was even more experimental and confrontational. It’s on this album that you can hear the beginnings of what became punk rock; the pounding ‘Sister Ray’ particularly stretched the boundaries of the music of the time, interrogating where rock music could be taken. The group’s third LP, 1969’s The Velvet Underground followed the departure of John Cale and, as a result, was a more polished affair, with tracks like ‘Pale Blue Eyes’ and ‘Rock and Roll’ foreshadowing the direction Reed’s writing would take. 

Though commercially unsuccessful at the time, The Velvet Underground would go on to become one of the most influential acts in music history. David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Patti Smith were among the first artists to take notice, before The Clash, Talking Heads and Joy Division did the same. More recently the Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Fontaines DC have also spoken of the impact the band have had on them.

After leaving the Velvets in 1970, Reed would embark on a solo career that would prove to be just as influential as his work with the band. His 1972 album, Transformer, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, featured a polished and pop-oriented sound that stood in contrast with The Velvets. Characterised by its catchy hooks, lush arrangements, and bold experimentation, it featured the hit single ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ (a song that, despite its perceived decadence, got widespread radio play) and established Reed's status as an artist in his own right. 

The following years would see the rockstar release a further string of acclaimed albums. 1973’s Berlin and 1975’s Coney Island Baby both came to be essential parts of his discography, with each of them continuing to explore taboo subjects for sex, drug use and degredation, keeping his solidified as a key voice of the underbelly. But clawing up into mainstream prominence; his uncompromising attitude moulded his reputation as an all-out rockstar, making him an inspiration to generations of musicians and fans.

Reed’s substance abuse would play a large role in his life and career and would become an influence on his music, which would often reflect the bleak reality of addiction. His struggles with drug addiction and his efforts to overcome them have become an important part of his legacy, contributing to his reputation as a complex and multifaceted artist who was willing to confront the darkest aspects of his own life and the world around him.

Though his work, for the most part, took time to permeate the rock scene, Reed eventually saw his contributions recognised by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which inducted The Velvet Underground in 1996; almost 30 years after their music first challenged musical convention. He was inducted as a solo artist in 2015, two years after he passed. 

His death from liver disease in 2013 saw tributes pour in from across the alternative scene; Mick Jagger, The Black Keys, Metallica and Arctic Monkeys were amongst those to pay tribute to him, and all cited the influence he had on them. 

"Lou Reed's legacy can still be felt today across the musical spectrum, from punk and post-punk to alternative rock and beyond..."

Lou Reed's legacy can still be felt today across the musical spectrum, from punk and post-punk to alternative rock and beyond. From his partner Laurie Anderson's continued experimentation to the incredible work of his somewhat protegee Anohni - Lou's unique approach and sharp vision is very much still alive and kicking. And that shows no sign of stopping, even 10 years on from his death. His influence on all that’s come since is immeasurable; his unique style and fearless approach to making music, as well as his drive to live his life as he saw fit, continues to inspire millions across the globe.

Individuality may never have had a more fearless advocate than Lou Reed, a figure who pioneered the art of being different, an attitude that has stood the test of time and marked him as one of music’s most authentic characters. 

The years since his passing has allowed for reflection and, through that reflection, one thing becomes clear; you really do reap what you sow. 

Dive into Lou Reed's legacy with 18 essential tracks:

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More about: Lou Reed