Lou Reed dies at 71

US singer and former Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed has died for the age of 71.

Known for tracks which includes Perfect Day time and Stroll to the Wild Part, Reed was regarded 1 of the most influential singers and songwriters in rock and roll. The Velvet Underground became renowned for his or her fusion of fine art and songs and for collaborating with Andy Warhol.

In accordance on the Connected Press information company, Reed's literary agent claimed he died of the "liver-connected ailment". Andrew Wylie said the musician died at his household in Long Island, New York, on Sunday morning and acquired not been effectively "for your handful of weeks". Reed's former Velvet Underground bandmate John Cale wrote on his web page: "The planet has misplaced a fine songwriter and poet… I've misplaced my 'education-backyard buddy.'"

Other stars paying tribute incorporated The Who, who tweeted: "RIP Lou Reed. Stroll within the peaceful part." Iggy Pop claimed it was "devastating news".An admitted challenging drinker and drug consumer for numerous several years, Reed acquired a liver transplant this May perhaps following suffering liver failure.

Lou Reed

"I'm a triumph of contemporary medicine," Reed posted on his site on 1 June.

The Velvet Underground hardly ever accomplished commercial results through their 1960s existence, but their influence on tunes in after decades was widely recognised. The punk, glam and option rock movements from the 1970s, '80s and '90s were all indebted to Reed, whose songs were covered by the likes of REM, David Bowie, Nirvana, Patti Smith and countless other people.

New music producer Brian Eno once summed up their affect by declaring: "The first Velvet Underground album only bought 10,000 copies, but every person who bought it formed a band." The group ended up being inducted in the Rock and roll and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Right after quitting The Velvet Underground in 1970, Reed released his self-titled debut in 1972, however it wasn't till the Bowie-created LP Transformer after that yr - which featured the two Fantastic Time of day and Stroll around the Wild Side - that he attained chart good results.

Excellent Day enjoyed a 2nd bout of results in 1996 when it had been featured in Danny Boyle's Trainspotting, and again a year after when it was re-recorded by a celebrity cast for any BBC charity sole. As being a solo artist, he released 20 studio albums. His last, Hudson River Wind Meditations, was released in 2007.

He's survived by his moment wife, the musician and performing artist, Laurie Anderson.

Other folks paying tribute integrated US rock and roll band Weezer, who explained The Velvet Underground had been "a big impact" once they ended up being beginning out. Chic guitarist Nile Rogers mentioned: "I did the Jools Holland indicate with him last twelve months and we yucked it up. I didn't know he was ill."

Meanwhile, singer Marianne Faithfull said: "He was an awesome friend, musician, songwriter and band leader. One particular in the most intelligent musicians I've at any time regarded and a fantastic guitarist.

"His songs will reside for at any time... Best Working Day, Sweet Jane... In my opinion he was a genius. I'll miss him terribly."

And Def Jam founder Russell Simmons tweeted: "New York lost one among our greatest items these days."