First off, I must admit that I'm not all that familiar with Lou Reed. So hearing that he had died yesterday and had been a beloved musician, I was curious as to what this was all about.
With a little poking around I realized right away that I did know his song: 'Walk On The Wild Side'.
Then I had to admit to myself that I had mistakenly thought
that song was one of those "one hit wonder" type deals.
Boy was I wrong. Lou Reed was actually one of the two founding members of The Velvet Underground, a group that is said to be responsible for inspiring much of the alternative movement that included Seattle's own Nirvana. So basically speaking without Lou Reed there might never have been room for one Kurt Cobain to find an audience. And while I do readily admit that I don't have a lot of love lost for much of the early 90's alternative scene (out here it wasn't alternative at all- everyone was listening to it), I do have a very soft spot for Nirvana. Besides being born and bred right here in the northwest rain forest, their stuff just touched me at a time when I was beginning to realize that I did indeed have my own thoughts and feelings.
So to Lou Reed I must say 'thank you' for the influence on future musicians and being an important part of this musical journey that so often surprises with its roots and branches that reach out to so many.
Jasmine
ReplyDeleteI'm back in my mushroom cave for this post. I'll just say Happy Monday and a special little pat for Tanner.
How sweet of you!
DeleteHahaha to Manzi's comment.
ReplyDeleteDid I ever tell you that when I was working at St. Martin's Press I met the infamous "Holly" of Walk On the Wild Side? She wrote a book called A Low Life In High Heels that we published. There was even this very Interesting party at The Limelight to celebrate its publication. I spent the entire night trying to figure out who were the women and who were the men dressed like women. And the guys in our department spent the entire night hanging on our arms in order to prevent any "mishaps." One of the best moments: A male coworker of mine says to me, "That guy just fired his gun at me. What do I do?" Toy gun. Not his personal one. Yeah, lots of people in costume. Hilarious.
Perfect story for Halloween this week! Ah, the things we don't know about some amazing moments in the lives of our friends... ;)
DeleteI love that you didn't just dismiss his death as someone you didn't know about and looked into this legend. He was amazingly talented not just as a musician but as a photographer as well. Great post.
ReplyDeleteGood to meet you, Barb! I try hard not to just 'pass' on things that don't seem to affect me.
DeleteWoohoo Texas Gal here ;)
ReplyDeleteYea,and I am follower #30 :D
ReplyDeleteHi Renee- Thanks for jumping on board!
DeleteI, too, "don't have a lot of love lost for much of the early '90s alternative scene." However, we have lost you, Lou, and your musical influence. RIP.
ReplyDeleteWe do appreciate the music in so many forms!
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