Lou Reed

---

Aptly called a “poet of destruction” by Rolling Stone magazine, Lou Reed influenced rock ‘n’ roll in the loudest, yet quietest of ways. His straight-ahead rock style, first with The Velvet Underground, then as a solo artist, provided a solid backdrop to his observational, often cynical lyrics. Delivering said words with a smooth tone bereft of pretension, consonants unapologetically pronounced, Reed bestowed upon the world a special kind of dark rock, sometimes ironically playful in mood, other times honest to a fault, capturing the minds and hearts of millions and leaving an indelible mark on the rock world.