Lou Reed net worth, death, divorce, spouse, legendary hearts

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<h2>Early Life and Musical Beginnings</h2>
<p>Lou Reed, born Lewis Allen Reed on March 2, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, grew up in Freeport, Long Island. During his youth, he developed a deep passion for music, particularly the guitar, which he began playing in high school. In his teenage years, he underwent electroconvulsive therapy—reportedly at the insistence of his parents—to address behavioral issues, including his bisexuality, a practice now widely condemned.</p>
<p>Reed pursued higher education at Syracuse University, where he studied writing and film. It was during his time at Syracuse that he honed his skills as a songwriter and performer. In 1964, he released a minor hit single called "The Ostrich" with the short-lived band The Primitives, which later evolved into the famed The Velvet Underground.</p>

<h2>The Velvet Underground and Artistic Breakthrough</h2>
<p>Lou Reed co-founded The Velvet Underground in 1964 alongside multi-instrumentalist John Cale. The band quickly captured the attention of pop art icon Andy Warhol, who became their manager and producer. Warhol introduced German singer and model Nico to the group, who performed vocals on several tracks of their debut album, <i>The Velvet Underground & Nico</i>.</p>
<p>Released in 1967, the album broke new ground with its experimental sound and confrontational lyrics. It later gained recognition as one of the most influential albums in rock music history. The band followed this with <i>White Light/White Heat</i> in 1968. After Warhol and Nico departed, Reed and Cale became central members, releasing two more albums. Reed left The Velvet Underground in 1970, partly influenced by his desire to return home and support his retiring parents.</p>

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<h2>Solo Career with RCA Records</h2>
<p>After a brief stint working at his father’s accounting firm, Lou Reed signed with RCA Records and launched his solo career. His debut solo album, <i>Lou Reed</i> (1972), featured reworked songs originally written for The Velvet Underground. Although it did not achieve commercial success, it paved the way for his breakthrough. Later that year, he released <i>Transformer</i>, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. The album featured the hit single "Walk on the Wild Side," which became one of his most enduring tracks.</p>
<p>Reed was known for experimenting with different musical styles. His 1973 album <i>Berlin</i> offered a dark, theatrical narrative, while <i>Metal Machine Music</i> (1975) pushed sonic boundaries with its avant-garde use of distortion and feedback. These diverse approaches solidified his place in the evolution of hard rock, proto-punk, punk/new wave, and album rock.</p>

<h2>Personal Life and Interests</h2>
<p>Lou Reed was married to British designer Sylvia Morales in 1980; the couple divorced in 2008. He later entered into a long-term relationship with performance artist Laurie Anderson, whom he married in 2008. Reed was openly bisexual and often addressed themes of gender and sexuality in his music.</p>
<p>Reed's physical stature stood at approximately 5 feet 5 inches. He had dark brown eyes and hair and fell under the astrological sign of Pisces. Of Jewish ethnicity, Reed was deeply passionate about musical instruments including the guitar, electric guitar, and keyboard. His genre influences ranged broadly, from hard rock and art rock to punk and experimental music.</p>

<h2>Final Years and Legacy</h2>
<p>Beyond music, Reed ventured into acting and collaborated on various multimedia and artistic projects. Over his lifetime, he achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, amassing a net worth estimated at $15 million. In 2013, Reed underwent a liver transplant due to serious liver complications.</p>
<p>Sadly, complications from liver failure led to his death on October 27, 2013, at the age of 71. Lou Reed's influence continues to be felt across generations of musicians and fans, affirming his status as a pioneering figure in modern music history.</p>

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