Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground in pictures
- Published
Lou Reed (second right), who has died at the age of 71, led The Velvet Underground, one of the most influential bands in music. They formed in New York in the mid-1960s and moved rock 'n' roll into experimental, alternative territory. Ahead of their time, they achieved cult status - but not commercial success.
Reed left the group in 1970 and embarked on a solo career that slowly cemented his reputation. David Bowie and Mick Ronson produced his seminal second solo album Transformer in 1972, which included the songs Walk on the Wild Side, Perfect Day and Satellite of Love.
Reed continued his solo career in the 1980s. The quality was often erratic, with the 1989 album New York among the highlights.
With their influence now fully acknowledged, The Velvet Underground re-formed for a tour in 1993. The group toured Europe but Reed and bandmate John Cale fell out before they could move on to North America.
Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison died in 1995, and the three surviving members were joined by Morrison's widow Martha (second left) when they were inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Reed was married to the avant-garde musician Laurie Anderson. The pair got married in 2008 and often collaborated.
Years of drug and alcohol intake led to liver failure earlier this year, with the singer forced to have a liver transplant. However, he appeared in public earlier in October 2013 when he launched a book with photographer Mick Rock in New York.
- Published27 October 2013
- Published28 October 2013