Lewis Allan “Lou” Reed
March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013
“There’s a bit of magic in everything, and some loss to even things out”
– Lou Reed
Velvet Underground was one of the first bands that truly BLEW MY MIND. After a short time, the vinyl disc was noticeably worn — and I had to listen with my headphones on or very, very loudly.
Early Lou Reed scared me — in a very good way. So real — so very real — that I was not really sure if it was safe — but I liked it — a lot. Lou was singing about sex, drugs, race, religion, bisexuality, inter-racial relationships, politics, and the dark parts of our minds. He gave us permission to be unique and be proud to be freaks. Lou Reed accepted everyone but the haters. He respected us all for just being. He gave us permission to express ourselves, appreciate the incredible beauty of the world and to live for the moment. I was also starstruck that he was friends with and collaborated with Andy Warhol. To me, he epitomized New York City and made me love NYC even more than I already had.
I never heard music the same way again. Velvet Underground and Lou Reed’s music was urgent yet folksy; genuine rock music but with pop influences and melodies; stark and beautiful; fragile yet in-your-face confident. Lou was an authentic rock star, punk rocker, story teller, glam rocker, metal head, folk star, guitar god, rapper, crooner, misfit, troubadour, and pop star. I couldn’t believe that this music was making me feel so much.
I remained extremely loyal to Lou Reed through the years; and even really enjoyed some of his later works like New Sensations and Magic & Loss. I’ve bought albums just because they featured a guest appearance by Lou Reed — one highlight is “Some Kind of Nature” on the Gorillaz’ Plastic Beach album (2010). I have grown to appreciate Lou Reed, the poet — Lou Reed, the activist — the cantankerous Lou Reed — Lou Reed, the actor — Lou Reed, the supernatural artist/human being — Lou Reed, the legend, the hall of famer.
Lou Reed has had such a tremendous impact on me that I never thought about him not being here — being real — making us face our fears, face reality — making music — blowing our minds! Luckily we will always have the music — Velvet Underground & Nico, VU White Light/White Heat, New York, The Blue Mask, Transformer, Rock n Roll Animal, Peel Slowly and See…and more.
May you be at peace, Lou.
My thoughts and prayers to your partner, Laurie Anderson.
Man — I miss you so much already.
THANK YOU, Lou Reed!
PCPop w/ Pablo 