Lou Reed

[Ginger]

The David Bowie thread inspired me to start this. I'm a huge Velvet Underground fan, and I find Uncle Lou fascinating and creepy and cool.

However, I've been searching unsuccessfully for one thing nice thing anybody has ever said about him personally. If anybody can find one, I'd love to hear it, because I'd hate to think he's a total asshole.

[starskin]

I like the Velvets but sadly, it does seem as though Lou *is* a total asshole. Although, in his defence, David Bowie is friends with him so he must have some redeeming qualities.

[rarepear]

I love Lou Reed and VU.

Did you know that Lou's parents sent him to Creedmore State Psychiatric Hospital in 1959 where he received 3 electroshock therapy treatments a week for 8 weeks to "cure him" of homosexual tendencies?

He said the last thing he saw before losing consciousness at his first treatment was a "blinding white light". Guess that's the inspiration for White Light/White Heat.

[starskin]

rarepear said:

Did you know that Lou's parents sent him to Creedmore State Psychiatric Hospital in 1959 where he received 3 electroshock therapy treatments a week for 8 weeks to "cure him" of homosexual tendencies?

I did, indeed, though I still can't believe anyone would do something like that to their own son. Is liking boys *really* worse than having all your synapses fried?
*sigh*

Personal unplesantness aside, he is a great songwriter. The guy's got a range of about half an octave, but I've got to give credit where credit is due. "Candy Says" is an amazing song.

[indygirl]

rarepear said:

Did you know that Lou's parents sent him to Creedmore State Psychiatric Hospital in 1959 where he received 3 electroshock therapy treatments a week for 8 weeks to "cure him" of homosexual tendencies?

It was also part of the inspiration for Curt Wild's backstory in Velvet Goldmine.

[abbynormal]

VU is my second favorite band after the Stones. I really like his solo stuff too.

[jaghetersimon]

Is he still with Laurie Anderson?

[Ginger]

Yeah. There's one thing to like about him. Most rock stars his age are marrying bimbos in their 20s. He's seeing an accomplished, non-glamorous woman his own age who he seems to really respect and be crazy about.

[chiqui]

Wow. I didn't know he was dating Laurie Anderson. For a time in the 1970s he was involved with a transvestite named Rachel. He also beat his first wife.

However, I've been searching unsuccessfully for one thing nice thing anybody has ever said about him personally.

Nico liked him. She said he was "sweet" and that she used to cook pancakes for him. However, he also made her very sad (she didn't elaborate.) I think I read this in "Edie: An American Tragedy."

[jaghetersimon]

I think I read that Lou used to really torture Nico about her family's past--I think her dad was a Nazi soldier. Lou came off as very, very cruel in that story.