The tributes pouring in from musicians in mourning all over the world prove that the late Lou Reed‘s influence and inspiration spread far beyond the punk movement he helped define in the 1970’s. The iconic singer/songwriter has been honoured by bands all over the world slipping homages to both his solo work and the music he made fronting The Velvet Underground into live shows since Reed’s death from liver failure on Sunday.
Arctic Monkeys honoured Reed with their take on Walk On The Wild Side in Liverpool, while The Killers covered Pale Blue Eyes at a hometown gig in Las Vegas.
Pearl Jam paid tribute with the Velvet Underground’s Waiting For The Man, while My Morning Jacket were joined by Elvis Costello, Neil Young and Jenny Lewis to perform Oh! Sweet Nuthin’ at a benefit in Baltimore.
Arcade Fire, having just released their own album Reflektor, slipped a medley of Perfect Day and Satellite Of Love into the end of their track Afterlife (and the beginning of Supersymmetry) during their NPR “First Listen” session. The Reed tracks appear just after the 17-minute mark.
Reed’s famous friends and fans also took to Twitter and Facebook to mourn the loss of the rock and roll pioneer.
R.I.P. Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side.
— The Who (@TheWho) October 27, 2013
I love Lou reed so much. Always
— Flea (@flea333) October 27, 2013
When you think the night has seen your mind, That inside your twisted and unkind, Let me stand to show that you are blind. #RIPLouReed
— Johnny Greenwood (@johnnyg10) October 27, 2013
Lou Reed is the reason i do everything i do
— Julian Casablancas (@Casablancas_J) October 27, 2013
My intro to Lou Reed/Velvet Underground was Janes Addiction cover of ‘Rock n Roll’. He was a singular, unique talent. RIP Lou and thanks
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) October 27, 2013
Title image by Brendon Thorne via Getty.
