Lou Reed Biography

Fast Facts

• The Velvet Underground was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and he played a song at the induction ceremony dedicated to the band's late guitarist Sterling Morrison
• Made his first recordings in Freeport, N․Y․, with a doo-wop band when he was 16 years old
• Quote: "I've always believed that there's an amazing number of things you can do through a rock 'n' roll song, and that you can do serious writing in a rock song if you can somehow do it without losing the beat․"
• Known for the dark themes in his songs and the unpredictable and sometimes aggressive qualities of his music
• His work as a singer, songwriter and guitarist for the Velvet Underground during the 1960s influenced the future of rock 'n' roll, especially punk, alternative and underground rock
• After leaving the Velvet Underground, he worked as a typist for two years before returning to music
• Practiced tai chi and looked up to writer Delmore Schwartz, one of his college English professors