Lewis Allan Reed was an American musician, songwriter, and poet who lived from March 2, 1942, until October 27, 2013. He had a solo career that lasted five decades in addition to being the Velvet Underground’s guitarist, singer, and primary songwriter.
The Velvet Underground gained recognition as one of the most significant bands in the history of underground and alternative rock music, despite not being particularly successful commercially throughout its lifetime. Throughout his lengthy career, Reed was known for his distinct deadpan voice, creative and provocative lyrics, and experimental guitar style.
Reed studied poetry at Syracuse University under Delmore Schwartz and had worked as a radio DJ while in college, hosting a late-night avant-garde music program. In high school, Reed played guitar and sang in doo-wop groups.
He began working as a songwriter and session musician for Pickwick Records in New York City after receiving his degree from Syracuse, a low-budget record label that specialized in sound-alike recordings. John Cale, a fellow session musician at Pickwick, would go on to establish the Velvet Underground in 1965 along with Sterling Morrison and Angus MacLise.
What did Lou Reed die from?
Reed had been suffering from hepatitis and diabetes for many years. During the last years of his life, he practiced tai chi. He was given interferon but developed liver cancer as a result. He had a liver transplant at the Cleveland Clinic in May 2013. After that, he wrote on his website that he felt “bigger and stronger” than ever, but on October 27, 2013, he died at the age of 71 from liver disease at his home in East Hampton, New York. His ashes were returned to his family after he was cremated.
