Influences

Cameo Role · Post by **Cameo Role** » 04 Jan 2005 01:32

I know Lou Reed liked old rock and roll, but what are some bands or artists specifically? I could never seem to find that out. What about Sterl also. I know he liked CCR.

simonm · Post by **simonm** » 05 Jan 2005 11:12

I think we're talking fairly obscure stuff here, but of the more famous stuff: Chuck Berry, Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley. On the jazz side there'd be Cecil Taylor and Ornette Coleman etc
... I think there's an interview ('69?) where Lou says he like the Stones. Stuff like the Who and the Kinks were quite an influence in 1965 too. There's a tape (locked away in the Warhol museum) from '66 where they attempt a Who song!

Pernod time · Post by **Pernod time** » 05 Jan 2005 13:19

Lou also likes New York compatriot Patti Smith. I remember reading a Laurie Anderson interview where she was complaining that Lou made her go with him to a Patti Smith show. He also liked Bruce Springsteen in the 70's , he says on Take No Prisoners "Bruce is alright with me"

Pernod time · Post by **Pernod time** » 05 Jan 2005 13:21

Sorry I read the post wrong, those 2 definately wouldnt be influences,more like the other way round!

Cameo Role · Post by **Cameo Role** » 15 Jan 2005 03:58

I'm just bumping this to see if I could find some more old Rock and Roll that Lou liked in addition to finding out about Sterl.

Mark · Post by **Mark** » 15 Jan 2005 13:31

Well, thanks to the Nico bedroom tape we know he thinks that Little Queenie by Chuck Berry is the greatest lyric ever written!

Keepitwithmine · Post by **Keepitwithmine** » 17 Jan 2005 18:25

He liked Jimmy Reed, too, you can hear it on the demo of "Waiting For the Man" on PSAS.

jimjim · Post by **jimjim** » 18 Jan 2005 10:55

On the Bataclan rehearsal tape, Lou recalls with awe bumping into Jerry Lee Lewis and getting his signature so he was a fan of him too.

Chance · Post by **Chance** » 19 Jan 2005 02:51

Funny Jerry Lee should come up. I was just thinking about his "Live At The Star Club" album today. If anyone hasn't heard it, it's one of the great live albums, a barnstorming frenzy of insane energy! It was recorded about a year and a half after the Beatles famously made their last stand at the club before hitting it big. Jerry's career at the time was on the skids, but true to form, he doesn't give a flying f*ck about anything, he's there to rip the place apart, and that's exactly what happens. You can't go wrong!

Pernod time · Post by **Pernod time** » 20 Jan 2005 13:03

Just listening to Run Run Run, it would definitely be fair to say that Lou liked Bo Diddley