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Holly Woodlawn, who is featured in Lou Reed’s Walk On The Wild Side, has passed away at the age of 69, from cancer. The singer had been suffering for some time.
The 'Transformer' singer’s opening lyrics are “Holly came from Miami, F-L-A / Hitchhiked her way across the USA / Plucked her eyebrows on the way / Shaved her legs, and then he was a she", which is a direct reference to Woodlawn.
Originally born Haroldo, Santiago Francheschi Rodriguez Danhakl in Puerto-Rico, Reed was right inciting that she hitchhiked across the USA to New York City, after taking on her new name. .
Andy Warhol was also inspired by Woodlawn and accordingly featured her in his films, Trash and Women in Revolt. Woodlawn claimed she felt like Elizabeth Taylor after becoming a Warhol superstar, but stated that she only got to know Lou Reed after the song’s 1972 release. .
According to Woodlawn’s friend, Mariela Huerta, Woodlawn died on Sunday in Los Angeles. .
Since the announcement of her passing, respects have been flooding in on Twitter, including those of Marc Almond and The Dandy Warhols. .
Sad news about Warhol Superstar Holly Woodlawn.'Holly came from Miami FLA ,hitch hiked her way across the USA'
— Marc Almond (@MarcAlmond) December 7, 2015
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If you are of a certain age, Holly Woodlawn was the first trans woman you may have been aware of thanks to this song https://t.co/h1YxG1CYCu
— The Dandy Warhols (@TheDandyWarhols) December 6, 2015
