On the Passing of Lou Reed

The passing of Lou Reed reminded me of just how brilliant he was, and how little I actively listen to him.  Don't get me wrong, I had listened to all four Velvet Underground albums within the last year or so, but hadn't listened to anything other than the "NYC Man" compilation by him in years.  Truth be told, I really came to his music through covers, and then started exploring the Velvet's albums, and really only owned a couple of his solo albums.  However, when I would listen to anything by him, I would always wonder why I don't explore his catalog more thoroughly.

There were certain songs that I just heard growing up, not really knowing who Lou Reed or the Velvet Underground were.  The obvious songs like "Walk on the Wild Side," "Sweet Jane," and "Rock N' Roll."  I remember the video for "Dirty Blvd." playing regularly on Request Video, as well.  Then I became well acquainted with "Satellite of Love" through U2's version on the "One" single, and seeing them perform it on Zoo TV.  Aside from "Transformer" though, I didn't really get into The Velvet Underground until I saw Phish perform "Loaded" on Halloween in Las Vegas, 1998.  

From 1995 - 1999 I attended many Phish shows, and at that point had travelled out to see all of the shows they had played in Vegas.  The promise of a musical costume fills your head with so many possibilities of albums you would want to see the band perform.  I remember hoping for "Darkside of the Moon," or, if keeping with a Halloween theme, "Thriller," or (though extremely unlikely) "Dead Man's Party," by Oingo Boingo.  When I received the Phishbill, and saw the cover of "Loaded" on the front, I instantly recognized the album artwork, but still had to read the bill to learn about the album.  In hind site, it was a perfect introduction to the album, it had some songs I already knew and liked, and so much more to offer.  "Who Wants the Sun," "New Age," and "Oh! Sweet Nothin'" all took me to new emotional places, and I left knowing I would be delving into The Velvet Underground soon.  I bought "Loaded" on the drive home the next morning.

Lou's music was filled with such feeling, some call it dark, but I've always just seen a very full expanse of the depths of the human emotional experience in his work.  I am thankful for the chance to experience it, and the influence it has had on my life, and the music that I love.  Thanks Mr. Reed, you changed the world.