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RIP Lou Reed
Author: BobR
Date: 2013-10-28 11:09:17
This morning I am going to diverge from the usual partisan politics to pay a visit to art. As most anyone who reads this site knows already, Lou Reed - the iconic NY musician/poet, died yesterday at the age of 71. His raw lyrics and grungy music were inspirations to countless musicians who came after him. He was not known for the beauty of his singing voice, but like Bob Dylan before him, his voice matched the gritty realism of his words.
I was a teenager in the 70s, living in a small upstate NY town, surrounded by farmland, apple orchards, and woods. I lived a rather sheltered life, and listened to the Rochester radio stations. In my younger years, it was mostly top 40 and soul, but later on the FM rock station showed up. It was the usual FM rock from that time, and they'd occasionally play "Take a Walk on the Wild Side". It took me a while to figure out it was about "alternative lifestyles", but it and his grotty speak-singing were intriguing.
I was also starting to play guitar, so I was exploring music to see what I could play. I was also interested in songwriting, so I studied both the music and lyrics of the popular songs to see how they were put together. Because radio tended to play hits and not deeper album cuts, I had to really look around to see what else Lou Reed was putting out there. He was all over the music magazines I read.
When I finally listened to "Heroin" and "Rock and Roll" and "Sweet Jane", it was like a revelation. These weren't lyrics about love and sex - it was about the type of people I had never met in my little town, and their dirty lives. I realized there was a whole world out there I knew nothing about, but these denizens of the streets he sang about seemed to be really living life, taking chances, and sacrificing the comforts I took for granted to pursue their dreams. It was fascinating and inspiring and awakened something in me that the "safe" music I had been listening to had not.
When I learned the chords to "Sweet Jane", I played them for hours. I broke out of my shell and began taking chances, experimenting with drugs, doing things I shouldn't have (we'll leave it at that)... I discovered Iggy Pop and the Ramones and the Sex Pistols and found I connected with the raw energy. Had I not embraced Lou Reed first, I would have found them simplistic and off-putting. Instead, they reflected my frustrations and disaffection with a polite but insincere society.
When I was nearly 19, I moved to Atlanta. It was a much bigger city than Rochester, and we were much closer to it. I found like-minded musicians, found the blossoming gay scene, the blossoming punk scene, and after the initial jarring reality of it (versus the romanticized version I had created in my head due to my lack of experience), I found it all to be a wonderful - if oddly southern - hedonistic garden that my rebellious soul had been seeking. I went to the punk clubs as often as I could, and crisscrossed with all the strange and odd people out there.
That was over 30 years ago. Like Lou Reed, I grew older. I also became a little more sedate, more mainstream, and lost a lot of that "edge". I've held onto my long hair, and still have the denim jacket that used to be festooned with safety pins and buttons. I still take a perverse thrill in tweaking the uptight. I still feel an affinity to those who live on the margins of society, even though they would probably consider me to be "establishment".
Were it not for Lou Reed, I don't know how my life would have unfolded. Perhaps another street artist would have found his or her way into my psyche, perhaps not. But Lou Reed did, and my life has been a wonderful strange trip (to quote some other poets) because of it. The world is a little more superficial without him in it. Sure there have been loud, boisterous, angry, and anti-social musicians that have come and gone. Lou Reed never really "went", because he was honest and spoke with almost a compassion about those in society that most people avoid. They have lost their biographer, and that I think is the greatest shame.
R.I.P. Lou Reed...
I was a teenager in the 70s, living in a small upstate NY town, surrounded by farmland, apple orchards, and woods. I lived a rather sheltered life, and listened to the Rochester radio stations. In my younger years, it was mostly top 40 and soul, but later on the FM rock station showed up. It was the usual FM rock from that time, and they'd occasionally play "Take a Walk on the Wild Side". It took me a while to figure out it was about "alternative lifestyles", but it and his grotty speak-singing were intriguing.
I was also starting to play guitar, so I was exploring music to see what I could play. I was also interested in songwriting, so I studied both the music and lyrics of the popular songs to see how they were put together. Because radio tended to play hits and not deeper album cuts, I had to really look around to see what else Lou Reed was putting out there. He was all over the music magazines I read.
When I finally listened to "Heroin" and "Rock and Roll" and "Sweet Jane", it was like a revelation. These weren't lyrics about love and sex - it was about the type of people I had never met in my little town, and their dirty lives. I realized there was a whole world out there I knew nothing about, but these denizens of the streets he sang about seemed to be really living life, taking chances, and sacrificing the comforts I took for granted to pursue their dreams. It was fascinating and inspiring and awakened something in me that the "safe" music I had been listening to had not.
When I learned the chords to "Sweet Jane", I played them for hours. I broke out of my shell and began taking chances, experimenting with drugs, doing things I shouldn't have (we'll leave it at that)... I discovered Iggy Pop and the Ramones and the Sex Pistols and found I connected with the raw energy. Had I not embraced Lou Reed first, I would have found them simplistic and off-putting. Instead, they reflected my frustrations and disaffection with a polite but insincere society.
When I was nearly 19, I moved to Atlanta. It was a much bigger city than Rochester, and we were much closer to it. I found like-minded musicians, found the blossoming gay scene, the blossoming punk scene, and after the initial jarring reality of it (versus the romanticized version I had created in my head due to my lack of experience), I found it all to be a wonderful - if oddly southern - hedonistic garden that my rebellious soul had been seeking. I went to the punk clubs as often as I could, and crisscrossed with all the strange and odd people out there.
That was over 30 years ago. Like Lou Reed, I grew older. I also became a little more sedate, more mainstream, and lost a lot of that "edge". I've held onto my long hair, and still have the denim jacket that used to be festooned with safety pins and buttons. I still take a perverse thrill in tweaking the uptight. I still feel an affinity to those who live on the margins of society, even though they would probably consider me to be "establishment".
Were it not for Lou Reed, I don't know how my life would have unfolded. Perhaps another street artist would have found his or her way into my psyche, perhaps not. But Lou Reed did, and my life has been a wonderful strange trip (to quote some other poets) because of it. The world is a little more superficial without him in it. Sure there have been loud, boisterous, angry, and anti-social musicians that have come and gone. Lou Reed never really "went", because he was honest and spoke with almost a compassion about those in society that most people avoid. They have lost their biographer, and that I think is the greatest shame.
R.I.P. Lou Reed...
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
clintster on 10/28/2013 11:55:31
clintster on 10/28/2013 11:55:31
That was wonderful, Bobber. Thank you.
And now a bit of poetry, courtesy of The Man:
Outside it's a bright night
there's an opera at Lincoln Center
movie stars arrive by limousine
The klieg lights shoot up over the skyline of Manhattan
but the lights are out on the Mean Streets
A small kid stands by the Lincoln Tunnel
he's selling plastic roses for a buck
The traffic's backed up to 39th street
the TV whores are calling the cops out for a suck
And back at the Wilshire, Pedro sits there dreaming
he's found a book on magic in a garbage can
He looks at the pictures and stares at the cracked ceiling
"At the count of 3" he says, "I hope I can disappear"
And fly fly away, from this dirty boulevard
I want to fly, from dirty boulevard
I want to fly, from dirty boulevard
I want to fly-fly-fly-fly, from dirty boulevard
And now a bit of poetry, courtesy of The Man:
Outside it's a bright night
there's an opera at Lincoln Center
movie stars arrive by limousine
The klieg lights shoot up over the skyline of Manhattan
but the lights are out on the Mean Streets
A small kid stands by the Lincoln Tunnel
he's selling plastic roses for a buck
The traffic's backed up to 39th street
the TV whores are calling the cops out for a suck
And back at the Wilshire, Pedro sits there dreaming
he's found a book on magic in a garbage can
He looks at the pictures and stares at the cracked ceiling
"At the count of 3" he says, "I hope I can disappear"
And fly fly away, from this dirty boulevard
I want to fly, from dirty boulevard
I want to fly, from dirty boulevard
I want to fly-fly-fly-fly, from dirty boulevard
Comment by 
Raine on 10/28/2013 12:25:18
Raine on 10/28/2013 12:25:18
Oh Man. Phucking sniffles. 
Being a bit younger than you, bob, and coming from a small town to NYC for art school, I found Lou Reed thru Andy Warhol -- I explored his life backward from then.
I know he wasn't a young man -- but it's still damn sad he's gone. Gotta go pull this book off my shelves:
Being a bit younger than you, bob, and coming from a small town to NYC for art school, I found Lou Reed thru Andy Warhol -- I explored his life backward from then.
I know he wasn't a young man -- but it's still damn sad he's gone. Gotta go pull this book off my shelves:
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 10/28/2013 12:34:30
trojanrabbit on 10/28/2013 12:34:30
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 12:41:39
Is there a chance that her perception will return? 
Raine on 10/28/2013 12:41:39
Quote by trojanrabbit:
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/28/2013 12:46:43
My understanding from the neurologist is that there will be some improvement as the brain "rewires itself"
She stopped complaining about headaches yesterday, so maybe that's a good sign.
trojanrabbit on 10/28/2013 12:46:43
Quote by Raine:Is there a chance that her perception will return?Quote by trojanrabbit:
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
My understanding from the neurologist is that there will be some improvement as the brain "rewires itself"
She stopped complaining about headaches yesterday, so maybe that's a good sign.
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 12:50:45
That does sound like a good sign. So you are looking for her to eventually come home, right?
My tummy did a little flip first reading this.
Raine on 10/28/2013 12:50:45
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Is there a chance that her perception will return?Quote by trojanrabbit:
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
My understanding from the neurologist is that there will be some improvement as the brain "rewires itself"
She stopped complaining about headaches yesterday, so maybe that's a good sign.
My tummy did a little flip first reading this.
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 12:55:31
Raine on 10/28/2013 12:55:31
In light of Bob's wonderful blog today, I found this from Vanity Fair:
With songs like “I’m Waiting for My Man†and “All Tomorrow’s Parties,†Lou’s Velvet Underground conjured a fantasy city where junkies and beautiful people frolicked together under the semi-sinister gaze of Andy Warhol. The band effectively created alternative music. They say not many people bought the Velvet Underground’s records, but every one of those who did started a band.
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 12:58:32
Raine on 10/28/2013 12:58:32
I wasn't aware that Lou was married to Laurie Anderson. Wow.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:07:33
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:07:33
When did I discover Lou? I was baby sitting for my highly intellectual Dutch neighbors. I was riffling through their record collection after my charge was asleep. I saw a copy of the "Velvet Underground and Nico." I put it on the stereo and my life was changed forever. I was 15.
Comment by 
wickedpam on 10/28/2013 13:12:14
wickedpam on 10/28/2013 13:12:14
Morning
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 13:12:28
Raine on 10/28/2013 13:12:28
Quote by Mondobubba:
When did I discover Lou? I was baby sitting for my highly intellectual Dutch neighbors. I was riffling through their record collection after my charge was asleep. I saw a copy of the "Velvet Underground and Nico." I put it on the stereo and my life was changed forever. I was 15.
Comment by trojanrabbit on 10/28/2013 13:14:32
Of course I'm looking forward to a point where she can come home. I just got a call from her a few minutes ago that she's going to tell me how to do a rent check. So at least she knows it's due. Sometimes it's hard to get from her just what she understands. I guess I'm looking for her to demonstrate an ability to
A)-not walk out the front door and get lost and
B)-not fall for some stupid phone, internet or Verizon scam and empty our bank account.
trojanrabbit on 10/28/2013 13:14:32
Quote by Raine:That does sound like a good sign. So you are looking for her to eventually come home, right?Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Is there a chance that her perception will return?Quote by trojanrabbit:
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
My understanding from the neurologist is that there will be some improvement as the brain "rewires itself"
She stopped complaining about headaches yesterday, so maybe that's a good sign.
My tummy did a little flip first reading this.
Of course I'm looking forward to a point where she can come home. I just got a call from her a few minutes ago that she's going to tell me how to do a rent check. So at least she knows it's due. Sometimes it's hard to get from her just what she understands. I guess I'm looking for her to demonstrate an ability to
A)-not walk out the front door and get lost and
B)-not fall for some stupid phone, internet or Verizon scam and empty our bank account.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:14:50
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:14:50
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 13:17:18
Totally understandable. It might not be a bad Idea to change the account numbers for the time being. For her safety and yours.
Raine on 10/28/2013 13:17:18
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:That does sound like a good sign. So you are looking for her to eventually come home, right?Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Is there a chance that her perception will return?Quote by trojanrabbit:
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
My understanding from the neurologist is that there will be some improvement as the brain "rewires itself"
She stopped complaining about headaches yesterday, so maybe that's a good sign.
My tummy did a little flip first reading this.
Of course I'm looking forward to a point where she can come home. I just got a call from her a few minutes ago that she's going to tell me how to do a rent check. So at least she knows it's due. Sometimes it's hard to get from her just what she understands. I guess I'm looking for her to demonstrate an ability to
A)-not walk out the front door and get lost and
B)-not fall for some stupid internet thing and empty our bank account.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/28/2013 13:30:02
Good idea.
Also for her to come home she may have to be fitted with a kind of personal lojack thing. My aunt hates hers but I told her if the care facility lost her I'd be pissed - so she gets why.
wickedpam on 10/28/2013 13:30:02
Quote by Raine:Totally understandable. It might not be a bad Idea to change the account numbers for the time being. For her safety and yours.Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:That does sound like a good sign. So you are looking for her to eventually come home, right?Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Is there a chance that her perception will return?Quote by trojanrabbit:
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
My understanding from the neurologist is that there will be some improvement as the brain "rewires itself"
She stopped complaining about headaches yesterday, so maybe that's a good sign.
My tummy did a little flip first reading this.
Of course I'm looking forward to a point where she can come home. I just got a call from her a few minutes ago that she's going to tell me how to do a rent check. So at least she knows it's due. Sometimes it's hard to get from her just what she understands. I guess I'm looking for her to demonstrate an ability to
A)-not walk out the front door and get lost and
B)-not fall for some stupid internet thing and empty our bank account.
Good idea.
Also for her to come home she may have to be fitted with a kind of personal lojack thing. My aunt hates hers but I told her if the care facility lost her I'd be pissed - so she gets why.
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 13:31:56
Raine on 10/28/2013 13:31:56
OK, She's has the maturity of a 9th grader. (if that) but beyond that, take a look at the picture, and tell me if you see the same thing I see from this alleged seasoned hunter and Gun owner.
Comment by 
BobR on 10/28/2013 13:33:54
BobR on 10/28/2013 13:33:54
The gun is pointed right at her. I am guessing she dropped out of gun safety school halfway through too
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 13:36:33
That's what I noticed -- she's a menace.
Raine on 10/28/2013 13:36:33
Quote by BobR:
The gun is pointed right at her. I am guessing she dropped out of gun safety school halfway through too
That's what I noticed -- she's a menace.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:38:37
Rabbit, I am totally understand. Mrs Mondo's stroke was much much worse than Mrs Rabbit's, but she always said as well as she could how she wanted to come home.
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:38:37
Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:That does sound like a good sign. So you are looking for her to eventually come home, right?Quote by trojanrabbit:Quote by Raine:Is there a chance that her perception will return?Quote by trojanrabbit:
Mrs. Rabbit was taken off the heparin drip yesterday, so I'm expecting she'll be moved to another rehab center soon. Since she has no perception of time I can't see her being allowed to come home.
I took her toys home with me because she can't use them. Worst thing was she just got a new phone, so I don't think she ever got the chance to learn how to use it.
Cleo still misses Mommy badly.....
My understanding from the neurologist is that there will be some improvement as the brain "rewires itself"
She stopped complaining about headaches yesterday, so maybe that's a good sign.
My tummy did a little flip first reading this.
Of course I'm looking forward to a point where she can come home. I just got a call from her a few minutes ago that she's going to tell me how to do a rent check. So at least she knows it's due. Sometimes it's hard to get from her just what she understands. I guess I'm looking for her to demonstrate an ability to
A)-not walk out the front door and get lost and
B)-not fall for some stupid phone, internet or Verizon scam and empty our bank account.
Rabbit, I am totally understand. Mrs Mondo's stroke was much much worse than Mrs Rabbit's, but she always said as well as she could how she wanted to come home.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:45:34
I think she didn't kill the poor bear. She just had her picture taken with it to bolster her image. My brother, the former firearms enthusiast, watcher her show on Discovery and was not impressed with her choice of or the ways she handles her firearms. He thinks she's a giant phony when it comes to this "sportswoman" shtick.
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 13:45:34
Quote by BobR:
The gun is pointed right at her. I am guessing she dropped out of gun safety school halfway through too
I think she didn't kill the poor bear. She just had her picture taken with it to bolster her image. My brother, the former firearms enthusiast, watcher her show on Discovery and was not impressed with her choice of or the ways she handles her firearms. He thinks she's a giant phony when it comes to this "sportswoman" shtick.
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 13:47:19
Raine on 10/28/2013 13:47:19
I know that bob posted the entire album in the blog today, but this is about one of the most exquisite. beautiful. awesome. and haunting intros -- EVER.
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 13:51:15
Oh you betcha!
Raine on 10/28/2013 13:51:15
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by BobR:
The gun is pointed right at her. I am guessing she dropped out of gun safety school halfway through too
Comment by 
Scoopster on 10/28/2013 13:58:59
Scoopster on 10/28/2013 13:58:59
Mornin' all.. 
Well, I'm back on the espresso train, for the time being. I did manage to stick to my diet through the weekend tho, with some helpful ass-kicking words from my beloved. 
Well, I'm back on the espresso train, for the time being. I did manage to stick to my diet through the weekend tho, with some helpful ass-kicking words from my beloved.
Comment by BobR on 10/28/2013 14:01:40
Several members of that band ended becoming Alice Cooper's band for the Welcome to my Nightmare album.
BobR on 10/28/2013 14:01:40
Quote by Raine:
I know that bob posted the entire album in the blog today, but this is about one of the most exquisite. beautiful. awesome. and haunting intros -- EVER.
Several members of that band ended becoming Alice Cooper's band for the Welcome to my Nightmare album.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:12:56
Dick Wanger and Steve Hunter, the guitarists most notablely
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:12:56
Quote by BobR:Quote by Raine:
I know that bob posted the entire album in the blog today, but this is about one of the most exquisite. beautiful. awesome. and haunting intros -- EVER.
Several members of that band ended becoming Alice Cooper's band for the Welcome to my Nightmare album.
Dick Wanger and Steve Hunter, the guitarists most notablely
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 14:14:00
Raine on 10/28/2013 14:14:00
::sniff::
I'm having a NYC homesick.
Putting this here in case anyone wants to watch it later or tonite.
I'm having a NYC homesick.
Putting this here in case anyone wants to watch it later or tonite.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:14:40
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:14:40
Rabbit, I don't know if Mrs Rabbit's neurologist has mentioned changes in affect or not. Just be wary about that. If he hasn't ask him.
Comment by wickedpam on 10/28/2013 14:37:44
wickedpam on 10/28/2013 14:37:44
So what I miss before everyone went all little matchgirl on that last entry?
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 14:38:41
Raine on 10/28/2013 14:38:41
Until Bobber get's his amazing blog up and running, I hope you don;t mind me reposting the text here.
This morning I am going to diverge from the usual partisan politics to pay a visit to art. As most anyone who reads this site knows already, Lou Reed - the iconic NY musician/poet, died yesterday at the age of 71. His raw lyrics and grungy music were inspirations to countless musicians who came after him. He was not known for the beauty of his singing voice, but like Bob Dylan before him, his voice matched the gritty realism of his words.
I was a teenager in the 70s, living in a small upstate NY town, surrounded by farmland, apple orchards, and woods. I lived a rather sheltered life, and listened to the Rochester radio stations. In my younger years, it was mostly top 40 and soul, but later on the FM rock station showed up. It was the usual FM rock from that time, and they'd occasionally play "Take a Walk on the Wild Side". It took me a while to figure out it was about "alternative lifestyles", but it and his grotty speak-singing were intriguing.
I was also starting to play guitar, so I was exploring music to see what I could play. I was also interested in songwriting, so I studied both the music and lyrics of the popular songs to see how they were put together. Because radio tended to play hits and not deeper album cuts, I had to really look around to see what else Lou Reed was putting out there. He was all over the music magazines I read.
When I finally listened to "Heroin" and "Rock and Roll" and "Sweet Jane", it was like a revelation. These weren't lyrics about love and sex - it was about the type of people I had never met in my little town, and their dirty lives. I realized there was a whole world out there I knew nothing about, but these denizens of the streets he sang about seemed to be really living life, taking chances, and sacrificing the comforts I took for granted to pursue their dreams. It was fascinating and inspiring and awakened something in me that the "safe" music I had been listening to had not.
When I learned the chords to "Sweet Jane", I played them for hours. I broke out of my shell and began taking chances, experimenting with drugs, doing things I shouldn't have (we'll leave it at that)... I discovered Iggy Pop and the Ramones and the Sex Pistols and found I connected with the raw energy. Had I not embraced Lou Reed first, I would have found them simplistic and off-putting. Instead, they reflected my frustrations and disaffection with a polite but insincere society.
When I was nearly 19, I moved to Atlanta. It was a much bigger city than Rochester, and we were much closer to it. I found like-minded musicians, found the blossoming gay scene, the blossoming punk scene, and after the initial jarring reality of it (versus the romanticized version I had created in my head due to my lack of experience), I found it all to be a wonderful - if oddly southern - hedonistic garden that my rebellious soul had been seeking. I went to the punk clubs as often as I could, and crisscrossed with all the strange and odd people out there.
That was over 30 years ago. Like Lou Reed, I grew older. I also became a little more sedate, more mainstream, and lost a lot of that "edge". I've held onto my long hair, and still have the denim jacket that used to be festooned with safety pins and buttons. I still take a perverse thrill in tweaking the uptight. I still feel an affinity to those who live on the margins of society, even though they would probably consider me to be "establishment".
Were it not for Lou Reed, I don't know how my life would have unfolded. Perhaps another street artist would have found his or her way into my psyche, perhaps not. But Lou Reed did, and my life has been a wonderful strange trip (to quote some other poets) because of it. The world is a little more superficial without him in it. Sure there have been loud, boisterous, angry, and anti-social musicians that have come and gone. Lou Reed never really "went", because he was honest and spoke with almost a compassion about those in society that most people avoid. They have lost their biographer, and that I think is the greatest shame.
Comment by Scoopster on 10/28/2013 14:39:58
Scoopster on 10/28/2013 14:39:58
Mondo was the last to post.. MONDO YOU BROKE IT!
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 14:43:37
The last blog?
I don't think much. I think I may have posted a funky youtube link (american masters on Lou Reed.)
Raine on 10/28/2013 14:43:37
Quote by wickedpam:
So what I miss before everyone went all little matchgirl on that last entry?
I don't think much. I think I may have posted a funky youtube link (american masters on Lou Reed.)
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 14:44:03
What did he post?
Raine on 10/28/2013 14:44:03
Quote by Scoopster:
Mondo was the last to post.. MONDO YOU BROKE IT!
What did he post?
Comment by wickedpam on 10/28/2013 14:44:36
oops
wickedpam on 10/28/2013 14:44:36
Quote by Raine:The last blog?Quote by wickedpam:
So what I miss before everyone went all little matchgirl on that last entry?
I don't think much. I think I may have posted a funky youtube link (american masters on Lou Reed.)
oops
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:49:02
I was mentioning changes in affect to Rabbit. :skates to penalty box: Two minutes for breaking the blog?
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:49:02
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mondo was the last to post.. MONDO YOU BROKE IT!
I was mentioning changes in affect to Rabbit. :skates to penalty box: Two minutes for breaking the blog?
Comment by Scoopster on 10/28/2013 14:49:15
No idea.. I tried to reload it and POOF!
Scoopster on 10/28/2013 14:49:15
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mondo was the last to post.. MONDO YOU BROKE IT!
No idea.. I tried to reload it and POOF!
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 14:50:47
Raine on 10/28/2013 14:50:47
Reed, Dylan, Bowie.
I was born a little too late and not soon enough.
I was born a little too late and not soon enough.
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 14:51:47
Well until the code monkey gets the zamboni running -- I say it could be a delayed penalty.
Raine on 10/28/2013 14:51:47
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
Mondo was the last to post.. MONDO YOU BROKE IT!
I was mentioning changes in affect to Rabbit. :skates to penalty box: Two minutes for breaking the blog?
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:53:16
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:53:16
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 14:54:57
It is totally not too soon!
Raine on 10/28/2013 14:54:57
Quote by Mondobubba:
This little gem was in in the Onion a few months back.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:59:12
I guess that liver did decide on "letting him synthesize proteins and digestive biochemicals on his own."
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 14:59:12
Quote by Raine:It is totally not too soon!Quote by Mondobubba:
This little gem was in in the Onion a few months back.
I guess that liver did decide on "letting him synthesize proteins and digestive biochemicals on his own."
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 15:14:09
Raine on 10/28/2013 15:14:09
Comment by wickedpam on 10/28/2013 15:52:11
wickedpam on 10/28/2013 15:52:11
Really? Learned something new about Chris - he's pulled a weave off in a cat fight 
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 15:53:22
That was the youtube I tried to post before the first blog went kabloom.
Raine on 10/28/2013 15:53:22
Quote by Mondobubba:
Lou Reed on "American Masters." It is friggin awesome
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 15:54:01
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 15:54:01
Quote by wickedpam:
Really? Learned something new about Chris - he's pulled a weave off in a cat fight
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 15:54:08
Oh to have the video for that!
Raine on 10/28/2013 15:54:08
Quote by wickedpam:
Really? Learned something new about Chris - he's pulled a weave off in a cat fight
Comment by Raine on 10/28/2013 16:05:23
Raine on 10/28/2013 16:05:23
Off to run errands!
Before I go I pose to you:
Without Lou Reed there would be no Rocky Horror Picture show.
Discuss.
BBL.
Before I go I pose to you:
Without Lou Reed there would be no Rocky Horror Picture show.
Discuss.
BBL.
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 16:13:28
Maybe?
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 16:13:28
Quote by Raine:
Off to run errands!
Before I go I pose to you:
Without Lou Reed there would be no Rocky Horror Picture show.
Discuss.
BBL.
Maybe?
Comment by Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 16:17:49
Mondobubba on 10/28/2013 16:17:49
Mala, have you TWD yet?