Person in history
Lou Reed
Lou Reed, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor (born 1942)
Life at a glance
- Died
- 2013 · October 27
Their story
Who they were
Lou Reed, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, producer, and actor (born 1942)
Early life
Born Louis Alan Firbank on March 2, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York, Reed grew up on Long Island. He studied music at Syracuse University and was influenced by classical composers and rock and roll.
Path and career
Reed co-founded The Velvet Underground in 1964 with John Cale, becoming a pioneering force in experimental rock and art rock. The band's 1967 debut album, produced by Andy Warhol, is considered one of the most influential rock records ever made.
After leaving the Velvet Underground in 1970, Reed launched a solo career with albums like *Transformer* (1972), which featured the hit 'Walk on the Wild Side.' He continued recording and performing for four decades, known for his distinctive deadpan vocals and provocative lyrics exploring urban life and sexuality.
Why this date
Lou Reed appears on our October 27 calendar for 2013 as a death entry.
Sources
Cite this page
“Lou Reed”, What's On This Date, https://whatsonthisdate.com/app/people/lou-reed, accessed October 27, 2026.
Cite the underlying source as well — the source links above go to the record this entry is adapted from.
Questions about Lou Reed
When did Lou Reed die?
October 27 2013.
Who else was born on this day?
The date page lists everyone we hold for that calendar day.
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