Just months after surviving a secret liver transplant and declaring himself “a triumph of modern medicine, physics and chemistry,” legendary rocker Lou Reed — the leader of The Velvet Underground, who would later go on to record classic solo albums including Transformer, Berlin and New York — died today at age 71, Rolling Stone magazine reports.
No cause has yet been revealed, but Reed underwent a liver transplant this past spring, an operation that led him to cancel his appearances at the Coachella festival and several other concerts in California.
Only later did his wife, Laurie Anderson, reveal what forced the cancellations, saying Reed’s health had been dire: “It’s as serious as it gets. He was dying. … I don’t think he’ll ever totally recover from this…”
On June 1, Reed posted on Facebook: “I am a triumph of modern medicine, physics and chemistry. I am bigger and stronger than stronger than ever. My Chen Taiji and health regimen has served me well all of these years, thanks to Master Ren Guang-yi. I look forward to being on stage performing, and writing more songs to connect with your hearts and spirits and the universe well into the future.”
Andrew Wylie, Reed’s literary agent, told the New York Times that he believed the musician’s death was related to the liver transplant. Charles Miller, Reed’s transplant doctor, told the newspaper: “He died peacefully, with loved ones around him.”
Reaction to news of Reed’s death spread quickly.
Below, we’ve collected some of Reed’s classics in his memory:
Lou Reed, “Perfect Day”
Lou Reed, “Dirty Blvd.”
Lou Reed, “Satellite of Love”
The Velvet Underground, “I’m Waiting for the Man”
Lou Reed, ‘Metal Machine Music’
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- Lou Reed recovering from life-saving liver transplant: ‘I am a triumph of modern medicine’
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: Lou Reed hosts early episode, interviews Suzanne Vega — 1986
- Lou Reed records album with Metallica: ‘Berlin’ meets ‘Master of Puppets’
- Lou Reed reissues ‘Metal Machine Music,’ plots ‘A Night of Deep Noise’ European tour
Miss you, Lou. You rocked.
and if you want to talk about 1980s records, The Blue Mask (1982) and Legendary Hearts (1983) are both brilliant albums.
What good’s a war without killing?
What good is rain that falls up?
What good’s a disease that won’t hurt you?
Why, no good, I guess.
No good at all.
R.I.P. you brilliant hag in a black leather jacket. Say “Hi” to Sterl, Andy, Angus and Nico.
A lot of the bands and music discussed on this site wouldn’t even exist but for the example of Lou and VU. His influence is really incalculable.