Rocker Lou Reed, who canceled much-anticipated appearances at SoCal's Coachella festival in April before it was revealed that he had undergone a liver transplant, died in Southampton, New York today, sources close to him confirmed to various news organizations.
The New York Times says the hard-living artist, influential in the evolution of rock from white kids' versions of blues and R&B to something artistically unsettling and punk, indeed died of liver disease:
He shocked with songs like “Heroin” and “Walk on the Wild Side,” the latter his only top 10 hit. But perhaps his greatest influence, both with the Andy Warhol-sponsored Velvet Underground in the late 1960s and then on his own as a solo artist, was in pushing other bands to challenge the pop status quo and laying the groundwork for new forms of rock.
RT @luckytran: RIP @LouReed: brilliant artist, proud New Yorker, ardent supporter of social justice & @OccupyWallSt pic.twitter.com/U701XebdgU
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallSt) October 27, 2013
Lou Reed, iconic rock star, died today at 71 pic.twitter.com/M4E3ewiXUI
— ClassicPics (@History_Pics) October 27, 2013
Thought it appropriate 2 use @thewarholmuseum #warholDIY app 2 for this classic Lou Reed pic…RIP pic.twitter.com/JUNAPYOZae
— BossAddict (@bossaddict) October 27, 2013
Brian Eno has said, “The first Velvet Underground album only sold 10,000 copies, but everyone who bought it formed a band.”
Reed was married to music artist Laurie Anderson.
Today musicians and celebrities in L.A. lamented his passing.
My fairwell to one of greats, @LouReed https://t.co/sHkkDy9dlk
— steve jones pistol (@JonesysJukebox) October 27, 2013
I met Lou Reed and told him he gave me tinnitus at a concert in 1989 that never went away and it was worth it. Dirty Blvd. Love to Lou.
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) October 27, 2013
Rest in peace, Lou Reed. Your musical influence will never be forgotten.
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) October 27, 2013
Rest In Peace Lou Reed pic.twitter.com/KZZiIhN0sv
— El Rey Theatre (@elreytheatre) October 27, 2013
Lou Reed was carried away on a Satellite of Love to the Dirty Little Boulevard in the sky. (Sorry, couldn't resist) He's in the pantheo …
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) October 27, 2013
Just a perfect day
You made me forget myself
I thought I was someone else
Someone good. X Lou Reed
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 27, 2013
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