Lou Reed
Photographer unknown. Published by Verve Records, a subsidiary of MGM Records at the time. (Public domain), via Wikimedia Commons
Lou Reed was an American musician, songwriter, and poet whose influence extended across multiple decades of rock music. As the guitarist, singer, and principal songwriter for the Velvet Underground, he helped define the sound of underground and alternative rock, despite limited commercial success during the band's initial run. Reed's solo career spanned five decades, showcasing his distinctive deadpan vocal style and experimental approach to the guitar. His lyrically poetic and often provocative songwriting, combined with his willingness to push musical boundaries, established him as a pioneering figure in rock music and art rock.