Lou Reed: (Velvet Glam)

The leather-clad poet who dragged the Velvet Underground's shades into the daylight and painted them glitter-black. He never wore platforms, never needed a spaceship, and definitely didn’t smile for the cameras… but without this deadpan, sunglasses-at-night New York City vampire, glam rock would have sounded a lot less dangerous The Glam Slam Essentials Transformer (1972) – Album Release (1972)Bowie & Ronson production magic. “Walk on the Wild Side”, “Perfect Day”, “Satellite

Lou Reed's second solo album, Transformer was released in November 1972. Here's an in-depth look at this pivotal work in Reed's career: Background: Post-Velvet Underground: After the disbandment of The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed embarked on a solo career. His first solo album was somewhat underwhelming commercially, but "Transformer" would change his trajectory significantly. Collaboration with Bowie and Ronson: The album was produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, who wer

Lou Reed’s Berlin  was released as an LP album in the UK by RCA International (catalog number INTS 5150) in September 1981, as part of a...

Lou Reed’s "Captain Average" , a one-page feature in Rock Magazine , February 1981.

Lou Reed’s Bops Bowie! - Last Tuesday Night, a cover and one-page feature in Melody Maker, April 21, 1979.

Lou Reed & David Essex’s "Lou Laid Low" , a one-page feature in Circus Magazine ,November 1, 1975.

Lou Reed’s "Metal Machine Music" , a three-page feature in Circus Magazine , September 1, 1975.

Lou Reed’s "Metal Machine Music" , a three-page feature in Circus Magazine , September 1, 1975.

Lou Reed’s "Sally Can't Dance" , a half-page advert in Melody Maker , September 28, 1974.

Lou Reed’s Sally Can’t Dance  was released as an LP album in the US by RCA Victor (catalog number CPL1-0611) and in the UK by RCA Records (catalog number APL1-0611) in September 1974, marking his fourth solo studio album. Background and Context: By 1974, Lou Reed had established himself as a significant figure in rock music after leaving The Velvet Underground. His previous solo albums included the critically acclaimed Transformer (1972), produced by David Bowie and Mick Rons

David Bowie’s "Bowie Back Soon" , a one-page article in Disc , May 4, 1974..

Lou Reed's One-Page Article in Disc, May 4, 1974.

Lou Reed’s "Berlin Album" , a one-page review in Melody Maker , October 13, 1973.

Lou Reed’s "Lou Reed Dates" , a cover insert and one-page article in Melody Maker , August 11, 1973.

David Bowie’s "Bowie, Pop and Reed" , a one-page article in Rock Scene , March 1, 1973.

Lou Reed’s "Looking For Love" , a one-page article in New Musical Express , February 10, 1973.

Bowie & Ronson polish Lou into glam perfection – Melody Maker bows down! one-page review in Melody Maker, December 2, 1972.

Lou Reed’s velvet sleaze strolls in – like nothing you’ve heard before! Lou Reed’s Walk On The Wildside, a one-page advert in Melody Maker, November 25, 1972.

One bassline to rule them all – Lou takes the wild side mainstream! Released as a 7-inch vinyl single in the UK on November 24, 1972, on RCA Victor (catalogue: RCA 2303), Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side” was the lead single from Transformer. Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side” was the lead single from Transformer . Backed with “Perfect Day,” this Bowie/Ronson-produced velvet underground classic — with its iconic “colored girls” backing and Herbie Flowers’ double-tracked bass

Reed's Bowie-Ronson Revival Lou Reed’s Transformer LP, was released in the UK on November 8, 1972, on RCA Victor Records (catalogue: LSP-4807). This 11-track glam rock masterpiece, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson—both ardent Velvet Underground fans—was Reed’s second solo outing after his debut’s commercial flop. Anchored by the provocative “Walk On The Wild Side” (touching on taboo topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, prostitution, and drug use), it also d