On the white walls, ranks of polished glass frames. Lou reed died just as ny died, reading this book will explain how some of us got here and why we stayed. Born in brooklyn in 1942, lou reed moved with his middleclass jewish family to long island when he was a young boy. This has to be the worst book ever written about lou reed. A fulllength portrait of legendary musician lou reed 194220. The first part of the book is a compilation of interviews with lou reed taken from different sources talking about his career, with some bw photos. Here are five things we learned, annotated by the author in a recent interview with pitchfork. From lou reed to gucci mane to stevie nicks, a look at the seasons music biographies. The sentence can also serve as a succinct summation of the life of the.
There are photos of reed blackandwhite mostly and almost exclusively alone in the one that includes warhol. My brilliant and troubled friend lou reed music the. Lou reed led the revolution in rock music that would grow into such dif. A life is an absorbing read, full of new insights delivered masterfully by decurtis. Lou reed all the books about me are bullshit except jeremys. The accompanying text, written by bernard comment, gives his views on the photographic work of lou reed. Essential reading for reed fans and strongly recommended for anyone interested in rock as art. Reed s magazine ad for lou s views flipup spectacles. Biographer sought to write the kind of book lou reed deserved. He was the rhythmlead guitarist, singer and principal songwriter for the rock band the velvet underground and had a solo career that spanned five decades. On a different topic, what was the story with reed and laurie anderson. He also began experimenting with drugs and sex, leading his parents to take a drastic decision that lou never forgave them for.
Jun 22, 2018 lou reeds new york is the most affecting of these, showcasing reed s view of the city from which he siphoned his power. Lou reed, american singersongwriter whose place in the rock pantheon rests primarily on his role in guiding the velvet underground, a new york citybased quartet that produced four poorselling but enormously influential studio albums under reeds direction from 1965 to 1970. Rolling stone contributing editor decurtis creative writinguniv. Lou and his music but also someone with an idea of how selfdestructive and awful a person he could be. Jan 08, 2018 the main reason lou reed is so long is that decurtis gives every single song, however negligible, the full rolling stone treatment he is a contributing editor there, solemnly burbling on about. Quote, this book does not, at all times, see lou the way he wanted to see himself. Does not matter where you come from, you loved ny or hated it or just afraid. Dec 21, 20 a self avowedly speedwritten tribute dashed off since lou reed s demise, this book is hobbled by haste, littered with errors grammatical and factual that an editor ought to have amended. For better or worse, lou reed was lou reed vulture. A multipleexposure polaroid photograph of lou reed circa 1970 in the rock n rollers heyday. Focusing on the music as much as the singers often dissolute lifestyle. Final weapon was originally released in 2010 as a short film. Lou reed has 36 books on goodreads with 2823 ratings. In this book anthony decurtis does a fantastic job of taking you inside that life to let you as the reader gain a new perspective.
Decurtis explains the many ways reed lived his life in nyc and their were many lou reeds, if you are already a fan the book is important it will fill in the rumors and the truth. The life and career of lou reed reed, jeremy on amazon. Reed embarked on a long solo career, marked by alternating flashes of brilliance and gestures that seemed deliberate selfsabotage. Im interested in writing a book, lou reed once said. This collection came out in 2003, and it is just beginning to take hold in the art world, lou has been going around the world with gallery showings and signing this book got mine from the venice show. Reed doesnt judge anyone for shooting heroin or defying societal norms, or for making sweet, gentle love to someone right before they od. The record reed made me realize that, for all of my self stylings as a rebel in love with noise that stripped away the unnecessary, i didnt know the first thing about. Perfect day is an accompanying document that helps flesh out a period during. Lou reed is the debut solo studio album by american musician lou reed, released in april 1972 by rca records, two years after he left the velvet underground. The problem reed had finishing the songs for the album. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read lou reed.
I knew a guy involved with anderson pre reed, and he was crazy about her. Between the lines, is in the format of selfcritique with words of reed to dissect and. So far i find the book a self masterbatory effort, its all hey look at me, im smart like lou reed. Lou reed was a twisted, scary monster, says velvet.
Tellingly, the figure in reed s life to whom decurtis is most openly hostile is rock critic lester bangs, who epitomized the ardent, unruly and sometimes loutish engagement with reed s music and persona a book like lou reed. But as anthony decurtis makes clear in his new book, behind the image and the rumors, lou was one thing. While his assessment of reed s importance seems slightly overblown, the book is a wellwritten, valuable document of a major figure in the american rock scene, putting a human face on a man who often seemed impossibly remote. Nov 01, 2015 a multipleexposure polaroid photograph of lou reed circa 1970 in the rock n rollers heyday.
Anthony decurtis captures the soul and the essence of lou reed in his terrific new biography of the brilliant, cultureshaping musician. These are the only words on the book besides lou reed. After legendary hearts 1983 and new sensations 1984, reed was sufficiently reestablished as a public figure to become spokesman for honda motorcycles. Rock n roll, between the covers the new york times. Oct 05, 2017 a guardian and choice book of the yeara walk on the wild side with the altrock pioneer gqdecurtis is well placed to trace reed s fivedecade career, drawing on insider knowledge but skilfully balancing it with detailed research and fascinating interviews mojo magazineas lead singer and songwriter for the velvet underground and a renowned solo artist, lou reed invented alternative rock. Enjoy a great reading experience when you buy the kindle edition of this book. Lou reed s most popular book is in dreams begin responsibilities and other stories. Aug 18, 2017 there is no time there is no time there is no time. David bowie gave lou reed a new lease of life when he helped to create the classic transformer album and was repaid with jealousy and loathing, according to howard sounes, author of notes from. Reed himself never wrote an autobiographyhe rarely seemed to even want to talk. I have read several books on lou reed, and still learned a few things i didnt know. My brilliant and troubled friend lou reed music the guardian. Lou reed, byname of lewis allan reed, born march 2, 1942, brooklyn, new york, u. Lou reed by sylvie simmons mojo 2005 the place is spotlessly clean.
The fascinating story behind a catastrophic interview with the legend lou reed. Lou reed could never have pulled of this cover of nicos frozen warnings like john cale. Reeds magazine ad for lous views flipup spectacles. Oct 26, 2011 the fascinating story behind a catastrophic interview with the legend lou reed. Lou reed was one of the greatest artists of his generation and he led an incredibly complicated life. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on youtube. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. The book has some marvellous anecdotes and insights, for example, relating to the woman who inspired several classic vu songs and an amusing attempted interview by lou reed of vaclav havel. To mark his passing, heres a classic and irascible encounter from the guardian, first published in 2003. In the early 1980s, reed worked with guitarists including chuck hammer on growing up in public, and robert quine on the blue mask and legendary hearts.
Not that this book offers such philosophical selfreflection. When most people think of lou reed, they picture the black, rotting heart of rock and roll, full of dissonance, decadence and decay. Lou reed s new york is the most affecting of these, showcasing reed s view of the city from which he siphoned his power. Buy lou reed s album titled lulu deluxe book edition to enjoy in your home or car, or. Lou reeds most popular book is in dreams begin responsibilities and other stories. The velvet underground was not a commercial success during its existence, but became regarded as one of the most influential bands.
Lulu deluxe book edition by lou reed 602527816029 cd. I mean, its less about hostility than it is about a kind of selfhatred and fear. Rhymes is a bilingual book english and french featuring more than 300 photos by lou reed. Sep 14, 2016 for better or worse, lou reed was always lou reed. Nov 23, 2017 the songs of lou reed are a manual of sorts for how to keep living after you have let yourself and everyone else down, or after the world has done that for you. Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.
One of the best things about lou reed s music is his lyrics. Just when you think your exidol has slumped into a pitiful display of gross terminal self parody, lou reed comes. Lou reed cofounded the velvet underground, which he played with. Lou reed has 36 books on goodreads with 2820 ratings. Pass thru fire is something fans of lou and the velvets should own. Read this book, and explore the fcking genius that was lou reed. Oct 01, 2019 a new bio of lou reed delves into the artists personal life while generally skimming past his solocareer music. Here is a great tribute to one of lou s favorite singers of all time, jimmy scott, written by lou s good friend scott richman. Oct 01, 2017 my brilliant and troubled friend lou reed. Lou reed turned against everyone who tried to help. Though reed s work with the velvets is justly celebrated, his solo work is. Paying tribute to lou reed by reading his favourite book and. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.
No commentary, no narrative, no explanation, just beautiful, haunting, sometimes nonsensical photos. As addled, self promoting, and occasionally tiresome as bangss obsession with reed was, it did. In july 1975, lou reed released metal machine music, his fifth solo album after leaving the velvet underground, and one of rock historys most drastic acts of commercial suicide. Lou reed there is no time the new york album live duration. Decurtis great gift of storytelling gives fascinating insight and perspective to reed. A new book describes his physical and emotional excesses. Lewis lou allan reed 194220 was principal songwriter for the velvet underground 19641970, one of americas most influential and forwardthinking rock bands. All the books about me are bullshit except jeremys.
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