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Lou Reed

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Musician

The Resume

    (March 2, 1942-October 27, 2013)
    Birth Name is Louis Firbank
    Released his first single at age 15
    Frontman for 'The Velvet Underground'
    Wrote/recorded 'Walk on the Wild Side,' 'Heroin,' 'Perfect Day' and 'Sweet Jane'

Why he might be annoying:

    He was still creating Rock n' Roll music at 70 years old.
    His voice was gruff and monotone.
    He smoked.
    He experimented heavily with drugs.
    Despite putting out 30 albums, only a few songs became hits.
    He wrote songs about sadomasochism, heroin, transvestites, and Jesus.
    His parents made him get shock treatment after he dropped out of NYU.
    He put out a double length album with no lyrics or melodies, just feedback and noise with his guitar (Metal Music Machine 1975).
    He purposely put little effort into the album, Metal Music Machine, because he contractually owed an album to his recording company.
    He suffered from depression.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He and the Velvet Underground were inducted into the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame.
    Rolling Stone called him 'one of the most prominent figures in rock 'n' roll history.'
    Rolling Stone said: 'Unlike virtually every other musician from the late 1960s, Reed has managed to constantly update his sound while remaining true to his artistic vision.'
    Although he dropped out of NYU, he earned a degree in English from Syracuse U.
    The Velvet Underground's music was the inspiration for the dissident writer, Václav Havel, and his struggle against communism.
    They were also the inspiration for the 'Velvet Revolution,' which overthrew communism in Czechoslovakia.
    (Note: Havel became President of the Czech Republic).
    Reed played at the White House dinner in Havel's honor when Havel came to the U.S. (Havel also requested Reed's autograph (1998).
    He worked with Amnesty International and other charities.
    He was one of the most influential people in Rock n' Roll.
    PBS's documentary, 'Rock n' Roll Heart,' featured Reed as part of their 'American Masters: series.'
    The Velvet Underground's first album was produced by Andy Warhol.
    They are the recipient of the prestigious Hero Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
    He told New Yorker Magazine: 'Shampoo exploded in my suitcase and my freeze-dried breakfast mineral powder leaked across everything.
    I tried a wet cloth to clean it to clean everything. ... I love rock and roll!'
    He met the Pope when he performed in a Vatican City benefit (May, 2000).

Credit: Robert Anderson


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 169 Votes: 65.68% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 31 Votes: 87.10% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 111 Votes: 54.95% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 102 Votes: 43.14% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 62 Votes: 54.84% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 17 Votes: 58.82% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 34 Votes: 55.88% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 8 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 29 Votes: 34.48% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 274 Votes: 56.20% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 147 Votes: 59.18% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 414 Votes: 78.99% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 504 Votes: 81.35% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 1453 Votes: 69.79% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 49 Votes: 40.82% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 58 Votes: 44.83% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 424 Votes: 43.63% Annoying
    In 2006, Out of 309 Votes: 40.45% Annoying
    In 2005, Out of 428 Votes: 45.79% Annoying
    In 2004, Out of 457 Votes: 47.70% Annoying
    In 2003, Out of 766 Votes: 44.52% Annoying
    In 2002, Out of 36659 Votes: 35.02% Annoying
    In 2001, Out of 379463 Votes: 59.95% Annoying