Lou Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” is Over

Celebrity Diagnosis | Michele Berman

Legendary rock musician Lou Reed has died.

The songwriter, vocalist and guitarist for the Velvet Underground in the 60s, followed by decades as a solo artist, had an influence which shaped rock and roll. Reed died over the weekend from complications of a liver transplant at the age of 71 years old. He had received the transplant in May 2013. At that time, his wife performance artist Laurie Anderson, told the Times of London that:

"It’s as serious as it gets. He was dying. You don’t get it for fun."
The reason for the liver transplant, and the exact complication that caused his death have not been revealed.

A flood of celebrity Twitter messages followed the news of his passing:

“The news I feared the most, pales in comparison to the lump in my throat and the hollow in my stomach. Two kids have a chance meeting and 47 years later we fight and love the same way â€" losing either one is incomprehensible. No replacement value, no digital or virtual fill … broken now, for all time. Unlike so many with similar stories â€" we have the best of our fury laid out on vinyl, for the world to catch a glimpse. The laughs we shared just a few weeks ago, will forever remind me of all that was good between us.” â€" Former Velvet Underground bandmate John Cale.

“New York lost one of our greatest gifts today.” â€"Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons.

“RIP Lou Reed. Thank you for your beautiful/dark lyrics/music and stance on life. You inspired me from my teenage years right up till today.” â€" Nikki Sixx of Motley Crue.

“R.I.P Lou Reed â€" VU was a big influence when weezer was being formed.” â€" Weezer’s official Twitter page.

“I met Lou Reed and told him he gave me tinnitus at a concert in 1989 that never went away and it was worth it. Dirty Blvd. Love to Lou.” â€" Filmmaker Judd Apatow. 

A Dozen Things You Should Know About Liver Transplantation
______________________________________________________ 
"You have the power to SAVE lives." 
To register as a donor TODAY
In California: 
www.donateLIFEcalifornia.org | www.doneVIDAcalifornia.org 
Outside California: 
www.organdonor.gov | www.donatelife.net

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