After 60 proper legends of pop (OK, you may have thought that some were a bit iffy), it is now time for my Top 20 Leg Ends of pop. These are those groups or artists that have had hits and sold well, but by no means a favourite of mine.
I do know that some of you will really like these, as there is no accounting for taste.
Now, SB does not like the use of profanity in the articles (comments fine, not articles), therefore if I say, for example, “Clut” I mean that well known GP word which is a sign of endearment, and if I say the word “Fluff” it is a well know word beginning with F, four letters, last letter a K, 2nd letter a U and just in case there is doubt, the 3rd letter is a C. The use of the word “Sausage” means that four letter word for when evacuating the bowels.
H/T to Brett of this parish, who very kindly sent me his play list of dire, dreadful, suicidal and basically fluffing songs generally done by right Cluts which are all pretty Sausage.
So, on we go with No 18 on my list: Lou Reed:
Lewis Allan Reed (2nd March, 1942 – 27th October, 2013) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and poet. He was the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the rock band the Velvet Underground and had a solo career that spanned five decades. Although not commercially successful during its existence, the Velvet Underground became regarded as one of the most influential bands in the history of underground and alternative rock music. Reed’s distinctive deadpan voice, poetic and transgressive lyrics, and experimental guitar playing were trademarks throughout his long career.
Having played guitar and sung in doo-wop groups in high school, Reed studied poetry at Syracuse University under Delmore Schwartz, and had served as a radio DJ, hosting a late-night avant garde music program while at college. After graduating from Syracuse, he went to work for Pickwick Records in New York City, a low-budget record company that specialized in sound-alike recordings, as a songwriter and session musician. A fellow session player at Pickwick was John Cale; together with Sterling Morrison and Angus MacLise, they would form the Velvet Underground in 1965. After building a reputation on the avant garde music scene, they gained the attention of Andy Warhol, who became the band’s manager; they in turn became something of a fixture at The Factory, Warhol’s art studio, and served as his “house band” for various projects. The band released their first album, now with drummer Moe Tucker and featuring German singer Nico, in 1967, and parted ways with Warhol shortly thereafter. Following several line-up changes and three more mostly unsuccessful albums, Reed quit the band in 1970.
After leaving the band, Reed would go on to a much more commercially successful solo career, releasing twenty solo studio albums. His second, Transformer (1972), was produced by David Bowie and arranged by Mick Ronson, and brought him mainstream recognition. The album is considered an influential landmark of the glam rock genre, anchored by Reed’s most successful single, “Walk on the Wild Side“. After Transformer, the less commercial but critically acclaimed Berlin peaked at No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart. Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal (a live album released in 1974) sold strongly, and Sally Can’t Dance (1974) peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard 200; but for a long period after, Reed’s work did not translate into sales, leading him deeper into drug addiction and alcoholism. Reed cleaned up in the early 1980s, and gradually returned to prominence with The Blue Mask (1982) and New Sensations (1984), reaching a critical and commercial career peak with his 1989 album New York.
Reed participated in the re-formation of the Velvet Underground in the 1990s, and made several more albums, including a collaboration album with John Cale titled Songs for Drella which was a tribute to their former mentor Andy Warhol. Magic and Loss (1992) would become Reed’s highest-charting album on the UK Albums Chart, peaking at No. 6.
He contributed music to two theatrical interpretations of 19th century writers, one of which he developed into an album titled The Raven. He married his third wife Laurie Anderson in 2008, and recorded the collaboration album Lulu with Metallica. He died in 2013 of liver disease. Reed has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; as a member of the Velvet Underground in 1996 and as a solo act in 2015.
It is only right to try and include songs and artists of all flavours, including fluffing sausage songs done by Cluts. I have only ever liked “Walk on the Wild Side“. Hence the featured song. – There are several live versions of which most of which are simply not of a good enough quality for what is a great song. Featured version is from 1972, I expect studio singing though.
Only right I include a couple of the Velvet underground songs. I remember some of them:
The Velvet Underground – Sweet Jane
The Velvet Underground – I’m Sticking with You (Lou Reed) – Late sixties, I remember hearing this and thought it was a kiddies TV programme song, gets better towards the end though.
Lou Reed – Satellite Of Love – 7/16/1986 – Ritz – This was on the Transformer album, played a lot by one of my room mates in barracks. On reflection, he must have been ghey.
Lou Reed – My Red Joystick – 9/25/1984 – Capitol Theatre, pretty bad, amusing title though.
Lou Reed – Sally Can’t Dance – 9/25/1984 – Capitol Theatre – hints of rock ‘n’ roll, which makes it listenable.
I suppose his other most famous song must be Perfect day, this version is live in 1972.
The charity song from the so-called BBC – “BBC Various Artists Perfect Day with lyrics” is so much better. Again, just like Bob Dylan Lou Reed was a good songwriter and musician, just that everybody else performs them so much better.
Singalong, enjoy and be happy!
Links to previous Legend articles:
Featured image: “Lou Reed” by Man Alive! is licensed under CC BY 2.0 
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© Phil the ex test manager 2022
