Winner of the 2005 Ivor Novello Special International Award.

Is portrayed by Brian Bell in Factory Girl (2006)

In 1958, a 14 year-old Lou Reed was part of a doo wop band called The Shades and recorded a single.

The Velvet Underground were voted the 19th Greatest Rock `n` Roll Artists of all time by Rolling Stone.

Attended Syracuse University.

He was with the group The Velvet Underground until 1970; returned when they reformed in the 1990s.

Living with Laurie Anderson [1995 - present]

Produced `Metal Machine Music` in response to RCA Records` demands for a quick follow-up to his Top Ten LP `Sally Can`t Dance`. The hour-plus of electronic noise was almost buried as a classical release, but instead was promoted as a pop album. The resulting backlash nearly ruined the label and Reed`s reputation; both later issued apologies, while the album remains a musical enigma.

Reed`s guitar in the early Velvets days included a built-in electronic tremolo. Reed sometimes turned this up, and tuned all the strings to D; the resulting sound he called "Ostrich guitar".

Spent some weeks in a mental hospital in his teens, at his parents` insistence; his "treatment" included electroshock therapy and medication. Reed reflected on the experience later in songs, including "Kill Your Sons".

He was with the group "Velvet Underground" until 1970.

Married 3 times.

Born in Freeport, NY USA