Musicians remember Lou Reed

Rock legends pay tribute to the original rock legend

Published October 28, 2013 1:48PM (EDT)

Sunday took one of rock 'n' roll's greatest and most influential musicians, Lou Reed, who died at age 71 due to complications with a liver transplant. Reed, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, left behind a legacy that shaped the next generation of rock music, including acts like the Sex Pistols, Talking Heads, R.E.M. and U2, Weezer and many others. In his passing, several musicians have taken time to remember the artist.

Velvet Underground band mate John Cale:

The news I feared the most, pales in comparison to the lump in my throat and the hollow in my stomach. Two kids have a chance meeting and 47 years later we fight and love the same way -- losing either one is incomprehensible. No replacement value, no digital or virtual fill...broken now, for all time. Unlike so many with similar stories -- we have the best of our fury laid out on vinyl, for the world to catch a glimpse. The laughs we shared just a few weeks ago, will forever remind me of all that was good between us.

The Smiths's Morrissey:

No words to express the sadness at the death of Lou Reed. He had been there all of my life. He will always be pressed to my heart. Thank God for those, like Lou, who move within their own laws, otherwise imagine how dull the world would be. I knew the Lou of recent years and he was always full of good heart. His music will outlive time itself.
We are all timebound, but today, with the loss of liberating Lou, life is a pigsty.

'7 glasses used to be
called for six good mates and me
now we only call for three'

-Patrick MacGill

Singer David Bowie:

R.I.P. LOU REED

It is with great sadness that we report the death of Lou Reed who died today aged 71. (March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013)

David Bowie said of his old friend: “He was a master.”

Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, Elvis Costello, and Jenny Lewis covered Velvet Underground's “Oh Sweet Nuthin’” at the annual Bridge School Benefit in California:

Pearl Jam performed a cover of “I’m Waiting for the Man” at their Baltimore concert:

Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols performed "Perfect Day" with Kirk Hellie and Vanessa Freebairn-Smith:

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Many artists also remembered Reed via Twitter:

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RIP Lou Reed.


By Prachi Gupta

Prachi Gupta is an Assistant News Editor for Salon, focusing on pop culture. Follow her on Twitter at @prachigu or email her at pgupta@salon.com.

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Lou Reed Music Obituary Rock And Roll Tribute Velvet Underground Video