Lou Reed, one of the most influential musicians of the latter half of the 20th century and co-founder of The Velvet Underground, passed away this Sunday at 71 years of age in Long Island, New York.
According to CNN, Reed's publicist, Peter Noble, was in charge of confirming the news, although he did not give any details regarding the artist's passing.
"It's officially confirmed that Lou Reed died several hours ago," Noble told the media on the afternoon of Sunday, October 27.
In 1964, along with Welsh musician John Cale, Reed formed influential band The Velvet Underground, which revolutionized the language of rock music by portraying life in New York with a mixture of poetry, noise, and melody.
In the middle of the hippie culture boom, Reed and Cale's music represented a nihilist painting of the bohemian life of New York's rawest characters: addicts, drug dealers, masochists and transvestites, which quickly got the attention of artist Andy Warhol, who designed the cover of their first album, "The Velvet Underground & Nico", which became one of the staples of music in the 20th century.
Last May, Loue Reed received a liver transplant and began a recovery regime that was inefficient and which finally led him to death.
According to The New York Times, Charles Miller, the doctor responsible for the team caring for Reed, reported that efforts to rehabilitate Reed after his transplant were unsuccessful, and the musician decided to return to his home.
"We did everything we could. He really wanted to go back home. He died in peace, surrounded by his loved ones," Miller told The New York Times.
Besides his participation in The Velvet Underground, the American musician will be remembered for his fruitful solo career which produced classic songs such as "Walk on the Wild Side", "Perfect Day, and "Satellite of Love", among others.
At the time of his death, Lou Reed lived with musician and artist Laurie Anderson.
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