Lou Reed, formerly of The Velvet Underground and immensely influential within music circles, died Sunday. He was 71.
A cause of death was not immediately available, but observers were quick to note that Reed had undergone a liver transplant in May.
At the time, the surgery appeared successful. Shortly after the operation, Reed declared himself “bigger and stronger than stronger than ever” in a Facebook post, before adding, “I look forward to being on stage performing, and writing more songs to connect with your hearts and spirits and the universe well into the future.”
After leaving The Velvet Underground in 1970, Reed embarked on a solo career. His 1972 release “Transformer,” produced by David Bowie, thrust him into a realm of superstardom that would last for decades.
