Magic and Loss is about Rachel, isn't it?

[cubguy23]

Are there any images of Rotten Rita? The woman in the booklet definitely has Rachel's chin

[Sheila Klein]

Is there any chance Lou Reed knew more than one person named Rita?

[iaredatsun]

I have to agree with MJG. That picture looks nothing like Rachel.

[iaredatsun]

Are there any images of Rotten Rita? The woman in the booklet definitely has Rachel's chin

Rotten Rita dates back to the early days, like 1961. I've never seen a photo of her.

There was a widely held theory that Rita was the Factory character Rotten Rita (Kenneth Rapp) - however he didn't actually die till 2010.

However it was reported that Rita died in 1991. So, maybe Reed was under that impression too. We don't know when the real date was found out, because Rita was living isolated from that crowd, in New Jersey.

[cubguy23]

Does anybody have the vinyl version?

[iaredatsun]

Anyone got any thoughts?

Aside from the fact that imo, the picture of the woman could be anyone (even a photostock image), I think a large hole in this theory is that the album was explicitly dedicated “to Doc and especially to Rita”. Reed was never secretive about Rachel, so I think he would have openly used her name, if the album was partly about her or dedicated to her. I know that MJG says he never wanted to speak about Rachel again, but I reckon if he had he would have used her name, not Rita.

But personally, I don't quite buy the Rotten Rita idea either. A character from 30 years previously, that no one was seemingly in touch with? Another credible theory is that the Rita in question was a neighbour - Rita Teel. Reed was on good terms with both her and her husband, who died in 1987. And apparently Rita Teel even recalled that Reed had once said that he had written a song about her.

Also, why are we assuming that both people in the dedication had died before the album was written?

[Sheila Klein]

Also, why are we assuming that both people in the dedication had died before the album was written?

Good point. One could be the loss, and the other the magic.

[cubguy23]

Anyone got any thoughts?

"Reed was never secretive about Rachel, so I think he would have openly used her name, if the album was partly about her or dedicated to her. I know that MJG says he never wanted to speak about Rachel again, but I reckon if he had he would have used her name, not Rita."

I seem to remember an interview Lou did with Mick Rock around the time of the Transformer Photo Book was released in which he mentioned Rachel. I believe he referred to her as a transvestite or transsexual. But I haven't been able to find the interview/article. But other than that I think it's safe to assume Lou didn't or wouldn't mention Rachel in the press.

[iaredatsun]

I seem to remember an interview Lou did with Mick Rock around the time of the Transformer Photo Book was released in which he mentioned Rachel. I believe he referred to her as a transvestite or transsexual. But I haven't been able to find the interview/article. But other than that I think it's safe to assume Lou didn't or wouldn't mention Rachel in the press.

There are many photos. He mentions her in a song. And she's on Sally Can't Dance cover. And I think another album cover. somewhere Was it CIB? Not really a secret. But I'm not sure he ever really talks about his partners in interviews at all. Who does?

[iaredatsun]

Also, why are we assuming that both people in the dedication had died before the album was written?

Good point. One could be the loss, and the other the magic.

Glad you saw that. I had the same thought !