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Lou Reed

1942-2013

James Mann

Then one fine morning, she put on a New York station
and she couldn’t believe what she heard at all
She started dancing to that fine-fine music
ahh, her life was saved by rock ‘n’ roll
rock ‘n’ roll

~ “Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Lou Reed

• •

They say he died peacefully at home from liver disease, surrounded by family including his wife Laurie Anderson. Of course a poet never really dies; the words he sent out, all those years ago, will continue to echo and reappear.

When some 13 year old steals his older brother’s copy of The Velvet Underground and Nico, Lou Reed is there.

When the next person puts “Perfect Day” on a mixtape for a budding romance, Lou Reed is there.

When someone finally understands the bleakness of “I’m Waiting for My Man,” Lou Reed is there.

When a beginning guitarist learns the chords to “Sweet Jane” and the entire world opens up, Lou Reed is there.

Lou Reed invented the reality that we live under. He was a poet, a rocker, a bastard, and now, a man for the ages.

I just can’t believe what I heard at all.