Lou Reed Dead At 71

Legendary musician Lou Reed has died, Rolling Stone reported on Sunday.
He was 71.

The Guardian confirmed the report, citing Reed's agent. BBC also confirmed the report.
His exact cause of death was not immediately revealed, but the AP said it was a "liver-related ailment."

Earlier this year, he received a life-saving liver transplant after experiencing chronic liver failure. Reed was open about his addiction to drugs and alcohol in his music. He'd been sober for decades, but his past drug use took a heavy toll on his body. In "Heroin," he wrote: “Heroin, be the death of me/Heroin, it’s my wife and it’s my life.”

Reed is best known for his work as guitarist, singer and songwriter for the Velvet Underground, and his solo career. Reed had a profound impact on American culture, introducing avant garde rock and pop art to mainstream music. His work with Andy Warhol is noted as one of the most important collaborations in contemporary culture.

Though the Velvet Underground saw limited commercial success in the 60s, their popularity grew tremendously in the subsequent decades. Rolling Stone named their eponymous album the 13th greatest of all time and in 1996, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Reed's best known songs include I'm Waiting for the Man, Satellite of Love, Heroin, Perfect Day, Pale Blue Eyes and Walk on the Wild Side.

Born in Brooklyn in 1942, Reed spent most of his childhood on Long Island. Reed identified as bisexual and received electroshock therapy as a teenager.

He married artist Laurie Anderson in 2008.

Many of Reed's fans and friends took to Twitter to express grief over his passing.

"My friend Lou Reed came to the end of his song," said author Salman Rushdie. "So very sad.But hey, Lou, you'll always take a walk on the wild side. Always a perfect day."

"R.I.P. Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side," said The Who.