Lou Reed
14 vinyl records found
Lou Reed was the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the Velvet Underground, and his five-decade solo career established him as a major force in rock music. His deadpan vocal delivery, transgressive lyrics, and experimental guitar work made him essential listening for collectors interested in the roots of alternative rock and glam.
About Lou Reed
Reed formed the Velvet Underground in 1965 with John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Angus MacLise after working as a session musician at Pickwick Records in New York. The band's 1967 debut with Nico and drummer Moe Tucker caught the attention of Andy Warhol, who became their manager and featured them at his Factory studio. Despite their later influence, the Velvet Underground remained a cult concern during their existence, and Reed left the band in 1970 after several lineup changes and four relatively obscure albums.
Reed's solo career proved far more commercially viable, particularly after Transformer in 1972, produced by David Bowie and arranged by Mick Ronson. The album yielded his signature hit "Walk on the Wild Side" and positioned him as a central figure in glam rock. Berlin followed in 1973, and while less commercially successful, it earned critical respect. Rock N' Roll Animal and Sally Can't Dance both found audiences in 1974, though Reed's output after that period struggled commercially as his personal struggles with addiction intensified. He recovered in the early 1980s, returning to prominence with The Blue Mask and New Sensations before reaching a career peak with New York in 1989.
Reed reunited with the Velvet Underground in the 1990s and collaborated with John Cale on Songs for Drella, a tribute to Andy Warhol. Magic and Loss peaked at No. 6 on the UK chart, his highest position there. He later adapted his music for theatrical projects and recorded with Metallica on Lulu before his death in 2013. The Groove Hunter currently tracks 9 editions of Reed's work, including Rock N' Roll Animal, Berlin, Coney Island Baby, The Blue Mask, and Live In New York 1972.
