Notes from the Velvet Underground : the life of Lou Reed

**** COMPELLING - The Sunday Telegraph CONTROVERSIAL ... Sounes' book pushes the standard Reed narrative - The New York Times Lou Reed, who died in 2013, was best known to the general public as the grumpy New Yorker in black who sang 'Walk on the Wild Side'. To his dedicated admirers, however, he was one of the most innovative and intelligent American songwriters of modern times, a natural outsider who lived a tumultuous and tortured life. In this in-depth, meticulously researched and very entertaining biography, respected biographer Howard Sounes examines the life and work of this fascinating man, from birth to death, including his time as the leader of The Velvet Underground - one of the most important bands in rock'n'roll. Written with a deep knowledge and understanding of the music, Sounes also sheds entirely new light on the artist's creative process, his mental health problems, his bisexuality, his three marriages, and his addictions to drugs and alcohol. In the course of his research, Sounes has interviewed over 140 people from every part of Lou Reed's life - some of whom have not spoken publicly about him before - including music industry figures, band members, fellow celebrities, family members, former wives and lovers. This book brings Lou Reed and his world alive. Lou Reed, Who Died In 2013, Was Best Known To The General Public As The Grumpy New Yorker In Black Who Sang 'walk On The Wild Side'. To His Dedicated Admirers, However, He Was One Of The Most Innovative And Intelligent American Song Writers Of Modern Times, A Natural Outsider Who Lived A Tumultuous And Tortured Life. In This In-depth, Meticulously Researched And Very Entertaining Biography, Respected Biographer Howard Sounes Examines The Life And Work Of This Fascinating Man, From Birth To Death, Including His Time As The Leader Of The Velvet Underground - One Of The Most Important Bands In Rock'n'roll. Written With A Deep Knowledge And Understanding Of The Music, Sounes Also Sheds Entirely New Light On The Artist's Creative Process, His Mental Health Problems, His Bisexuality, His Three Marriages, And His Addictions To Drugs And Alcohol. In The Course Of His Research, Sounes Has Interviewed Over 140 People From Every Part Of Lou Reed's Life - Some Of Whom Have Not Spoken Publicly About Him Before - Including Music Industry Figures, Band Members, Fellow Celebrities, Family Members, Former Wives And Lovers. This Book Brings Lou Reed And His World Alive. As band leader of the Velvet Underground and later a successful solo artist, Reed was much more than what the general public came to know as the grumpy New Yorker in black who sang "Walk on the Wild Side." To his dedicated admirers, he was one of the most innovative and intelligent songwriters of modern times--a natural outsider who lived a tumultuous and tortured life. In the course of his deep research into Reed's life, from a humble upbringing on Long Island to death from liver disease in 2013, Howard Sounes interviewed more than 140 people who knew the artist intimately--some of whom have not spoken publicly about him before. With new revelations from former wives and lovers, family members, fellow band members and celebrities, and music industry figures, this book offers an updated, unfettered look at Reed's creative process, his mental health problems, his bisexuality, his three marriages, and his addictions to drugs and alcohol. Featuring previously unpublished photographs of some of Reed's most private moments, this is the definitive account of one of rock 'n' roll's most complicated and brilliant prophets "Best known as the singer of the pop hit "Walk on the wild side", Lou Reed was in fact one of the most intelligent songwriters of his era - a sardonic, world-wary chronicler of underground culture and the dark side of human nature. Starting with the Velvet Underground in the 1960s, Reed combined poetry with rock'n'roll to create almost fifty years of powerful and challenging music that influenced generations of artists. In this ... new book, Howard Sounes shows how Reed's seminal work with the Velvets shaped his whole career."--Jacket Coney Island baby, 1942-59 On to the darkened sea, 1960-4 Honeybun, Black Jack, Sterl and Moesy, 1964-5 The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, 1966 Light and dark, 1967-8 A new VU, 1968-70 Solo in the seventies, 1970-3 Self-parody, 1973-4 Howling like the devil, 1975-6 The Arista years, 1976-80 Second marriage, 1980-7 New inspiration, 1987-92 Return to the Velvet Underground, 1992-6 Love, Lou, 1996-2008 Nevermore, 2008-13. Lou Reed, who died in 2013, was known to the general public as the grumpy New Yorker in black who sang 'Walk on the Wild Side'. This book presents the biography of this man. It deals with the artist's creative process, his mental health problems, his bisexuality, his three marriages, and his addictions to drugs and alcohol. Lou Reed, who died in 2013, was best known to the general public as the grumpy New Yorker in black who sang 'Walk on the Wild Side'. In this biography, the author examines his life and work, from birth to death, including his time as the leader of The Velvet Underground - one of the most important bands in rock'n'roll. Sounes examines the life and work of Lou Reed, from birth to death, including his time as the leader of The Velvet Underground - one of the most important bands in rock'n'roll.