Musical Monday: Lou Reed

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.