Legend Lou Reed dies

Lead singer of The Velvet Underground, Lou Reed dies aged 71.

The bands sound caught the attention of Andy Wargol, who then went on to manage The Velvet Underground. They formed part of Warhol's factory scene in New York, aswell as  providing the music for his multimedia roadshow known as Exploding Plastic Inevitable. Warhol helped them gain a higher profile, and created artwork for their record.
Tributes from musicians were quick to appear, David Bowie said on his Facebook page "He was a master" and Iggy Pop called it "devastating news".

Although The Velvet Underground were not hugely acclaimed in the sixties, they have since been regarded as highly influential. U2 once announced on stage that every song they had ever written was "a rip-off of a Lou Reed song". Morrissey and David Bowie have also admitted Reed was a huge influence on them and their music,and Sex pistols bass player Sid Vicious took his stage name from Reed's song 'Vicious'.

Lou Reed will be remembered for his effect on rock music and for being one of the most distinctive, inspirational songwriters of his generation.