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.
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.
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, The Velvet Underground & Nico.
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 White Light/White Heat 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.
| Birth Date: | 2 Mar, 1942 |
| Age: | 78 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Brooklyn |
| Education: | Syracuse University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American musician, recording artist, singer-songwriter |
| Spouse: | Laurie Anderson[2008-2013] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 15 million |
