Yeah, so Lou Reed died yesterday. He was, wow… he’s been one of my favorite musicians for a long, long time. Probably since I first heard “Walk on the Wild Side” on the AM radio station that the place I worked in high school used to play. So, we’re talking late-1970s.
And it still amuses me to no end that “Walk on the Wild Side” got played an AM radio back then. Could no one in a censorship position understand the lyrics? But that’s beside the point.
I love so many of his songs with and without the Velvet Underground. I thought it was so cool that he married Laurie Anderson. And yeah, I’m going to miss just knowing he’s in the world somewhere.
So, videos. First up, here’s Lou with a reunited Velvet Underground in the 1990s, performing my favorite VU song, “Rock and Roll.”
Okay, I couldn’t not post this version of “Perfect Day.” It’s just so strange. Who knew Lou Reed and Luciano Pavarotti ever performed together?
The person who posted this next video to YouTube labeled it the best live version of “Sweet Jane.” I gotta say it’s pretty good.
And to finish up, my favorite solo Reed tune, “Satellite of Love.” I couldn’t find a live performance that I liked as much as the studio recording, but I did find this odd little thing. I’m guessing the film footage is something shot by Warhol back in the day.
There are so many other songs. Goodbye, Lou. You will be missed.
M. Fenn 