Terrific article! Always cool to read about encounters with artists that detail mutual connections beyond the requisite “business” side of a meeting or obligation. I was never a crazy Lou fan but still think “Walk on the Wild Side” is one of the greatest songs and will always endure the test of time. Add “The Day John Kennedy Died” and parts of “The Raven” to the catalogue of must-listen creations. Real gloomy, NYC rainy day stuff that deserves more play. (And “Anthony and the Johnsons” voice? Whoa…) I saw Lou twice in the mid-‘70s, both at NY’s Bottom Line. Worked there for $16 bucks and one meal a night showing folks to seats. Small place really, maybe 450 seats max. I don’t recall the act but one cold night a blond haired, fur-coated Lou and his entourage came in and stood in the cramped front bar area grooving to whomever was on the stage. I doubt few noticed him given the loopy 70’s vibe at the time. Fast forward a few months and he was the headliner. Awesome show with the strangest ending; I think it was “Sweet Jane” and as the song and evening closed out, dozens of doll’s heads were lowered from above the stage. Go figure. Anyway, thanks for the cool piece. Lou was a real artist and despite his limited voice, he’s an singular, unmistakable talent that likely influenced plenty.
So, Alan, in the early 90's, while working as a full-time development exec to a film producer, I was the involved in the nurturing and maturation of a movie based on the New York album. Martin Scorcese, attached on to be the director and Robert DeNiro, producer, worked on it with us. Bonnie Palef, who produced films for Norman Jewison, was my boss. Development went on for years and I am not so sure what happened with it. Nonetheless, Lou Reed and his wife Sylvia visited the Tribeca Film Center (where we were housed) on many occasions. My general impression of him was that he seemed to be intense and measured; not talkative and certainly not schmoozy. What stays with me the most is how tiny he was, how tight and sinewy but with a very large skull. He seemed like he was a tank of every increasing potential energy waiting to go kinetic.
To make a long story short, I think I still have the script if you want to read it...
Alan, I love the story! You don't know this about me, but Lou was one of my all-time favorites and I invited him to my 40th birthday (he didn't come). He's one of the reasons I play guitar and although I shook his hand once, from the front row of a venue he was playing, I never met him. Saw him about 10x over the years. I'm impressed by how you jumped at the chance to interview Lou, with his reputation! Nice work. New York still is one of my faves of his. He really nailed it with that one.
Terrific article! Always cool to read about encounters with artists that detail mutual connections beyond the requisite “business” side of a meeting or obligation. I was never a crazy Lou fan but still think “Walk on the Wild Side” is one of the greatest songs and will always endure the test of time. Add “The Day John Kennedy Died” and parts of “The Raven” to the catalogue of must-listen creations. Real gloomy, NYC rainy day stuff that deserves more play. (And “Anthony and the Johnsons” voice? Whoa…) I saw Lou twice in the mid-‘70s, both at NY’s Bottom Line. Worked there for $16 bucks and one meal a night showing folks to seats. Small place really, maybe 450 seats max. I don’t recall the act but one cold night a blond haired, fur-coated Lou and his entourage came in and stood in the cramped front bar area grooving to whomever was on the stage. I doubt few noticed him given the loopy 70’s vibe at the time. Fast forward a few months and he was the headliner. Awesome show with the strangest ending; I think it was “Sweet Jane” and as the song and evening closed out, dozens of doll’s heads were lowered from above the stage. Go figure. Anyway, thanks for the cool piece. Lou was a real artist and despite his limited voice, he’s an singular, unmistakable talent that likely influenced plenty.
So cool- really enjoyed this!
Great story Alan. Makes me want to do a deeper dive on an artist that I really don't know much about...
So, Alan, in the early 90's, while working as a full-time development exec to a film producer, I was the involved in the nurturing and maturation of a movie based on the New York album. Martin Scorcese, attached on to be the director and Robert DeNiro, producer, worked on it with us. Bonnie Palef, who produced films for Norman Jewison, was my boss. Development went on for years and I am not so sure what happened with it. Nonetheless, Lou Reed and his wife Sylvia visited the Tribeca Film Center (where we were housed) on many occasions. My general impression of him was that he seemed to be intense and measured; not talkative and certainly not schmoozy. What stays with me the most is how tiny he was, how tight and sinewy but with a very large skull. He seemed like he was a tank of every increasing potential energy waiting to go kinetic.
To make a long story short, I think I still have the script if you want to read it...
Alan, I love the story! You don't know this about me, but Lou was one of my all-time favorites and I invited him to my 40th birthday (he didn't come). He's one of the reasons I play guitar and although I shook his hand once, from the front row of a venue he was playing, I never met him. Saw him about 10x over the years. I'm impressed by how you jumped at the chance to interview Lou, with his reputation! Nice work. New York still is one of my faves of his. He really nailed it with that one.
Wow great read Thank you for sharing
Great Story Alan !!
Good stuff!
Always a pleasure to read your articles