Lou Reed, founder and lead singer of The Velvet Underground, passed away Sunday, October 27, due to complications of a liver transplant he had in May. The rock legend who influenced generations of rock artists was 71.
Reed was best known for the fusion of life's wild stories and music. He created songs that feature well-crafted choruses that came with very distinctive sounds. Initially, the rock icon's cause of death was unknown until Andrew Wylie, Reed's literary agent, relayed a message to E!Online.
"I regret to confirm that Lou Reed has died from complications following a liver transplant," said Wylie.
Reed was a native of Brooklyn, New York and somehow made the city his canvas for his music. The first big step he took for the love of music is with The Velvet Underground. The group that also had John Cale on guitar and model turned vocalist Nico, conquered the East Village scene in the 1960s with the help of Andy Warhol. The group explore the possibilities with droning and distortion techniques new at that time to create some form of psychedelia.
"The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet ... I've lost my school-yard buddy," said Cale.
"He was a master," said Reed's friend David Bowie through his Facebook Page. Tributes from other artists and fans flooded the social media.
Some of the most-remembered songs written by Reed include "Rock and Roll," "Sweet Jane," "Heroin," and "Sister Ray." The Velvet Underground released four albums.
Reed left the band in 1970 and started his solo career. He collaborated with David Bowie for his second album titled "Transformer" that launched him to the rock and roll spotlight. He released other albums such as "Coney Island Baby" (1976), "Street Hassle" (1978), "The Blue Mask" (1982), " New York" (1989), and "The Raven" (2003).
The eclectic rockstar joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 as a member of The Velvet Underground.
In 2011, he worked with Metallica and released his last rock album "Lulu."
Reed, who had a liver transplant in May after years of being a heavy drinker and a drug user, is survived by his wife Laurie Anderson.
