Lou Reed: A Life

A GUARDIAN AND CHOICE BOOK OF THE YEAR

"'A walk on the wild side with the alt-rock pioneer'" - GQ

"'DeCurtis is well placed to trace Reed's five-decade career, drawing on insider knowledge but skilfully balancing it with detailed research and fascinating interviews'" - Mojo Magazine

As the lead singer and principal songwriter for the Velvet Underground, and later as a celebrated solo artist, Lou Reed essentially invented alternative rock. His music, simultaneously reaching heights of sanctity and plumbing depths of perversity, transcended mere genre, resonating with millions of listeners, inspiring a new generation of musicians, and permanently altering our perception of that iconic era of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll.

Throughout his five-decade career, Reed embodied a fierce artistic self-awareness and masterfully captured the beauty, paranoia, and vibrant energy of his time in a diverse array of hit songs, experimental albums, and a larger-than-life persona. With such masterpieces as 'Sweet Jane' and 'Walk on the Wild Side', Reed exerted an influence on popular music that rivalled only the likes of Bob Dylan and the Beatles, and he is recognised to this day as one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century.

Now, just a few years after Reed's passing, comes this thrilling and provocative story of his complex life. Anthony DeCurtis, an acclaimed contributor to Rolling Stone, interviewed Reed extensively and knew him well. With unparalleled access to Reed's friends, family, and numerous other close associates, DeCurtis brings Reed's compelling story vividly to life and deepens our understanding of his indelible music. We are taken deep into the underground artist clubs, listen alongside in the studio as the Velvet Underground record their signature work, and revel in Reed's relationships with legendary figures like Andy Warhol, Patti Smith, and David Bowie. Insightful, revelatory, and intimate, Lou Reed stands as a gripping tribute to a quintessential American icon.