Lou Reed

He is often seen in the company of fellow artist Laurie Anderson. Seger and 3DD lead singer, Brad Arnold, both sing on "Landing In London" on the album Seventeen Days. It reached #10 in the UK singles chart. Seger was recording at the same studio as 3 Doors Down when 3DD's manager asked if he would sing on their album. In 2004, a remix of his song, "Satellite of Love" (called "Satellite of Love '04") was released. Also during 2004, Seger was working on his first new album in 10 years, titled Face the Promise; release of this disc is thought to be delayed until some time in 2005. In 2003, he released a 2-CD set, The Raven, based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. Seger was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on March 15, 2004.

In 2001 he was the victim of a hoax claiming he had died of a heroin overdose. Seger's classic take on life on the road, "Turn the Page", was later covered by Metallica. In 1997 over thirty artists covered "Perfect Day" for the BBC's "Children in Need" appeal. Other familiar Seger songs include "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man", "Night Moves", and "Hollywood Nights", but his most recognizable songs are almost certainly "Old Time Rock and Roll" (featured in the film Risky Business) and "Like a Rock" (the latter being most familiar to many younger Americans through its association with a long-running Chevrolet ad campaign). Reed continued on those dark notes with Magic and Loss, an album about mortality. Later in his career, Seger mellowed somewhat and he had a series of hits in the '80s with such mid-tempo ballads as "We've Got Tonight" and "Against the Wind". Touchingly affectionate and painfully confessional, often witty, Reed's vocals blister when singing of alleged medical errors and Valerie Solanas' 1968 assassination attempt on Warhol. Seger's early work is hard-rocking and shows the influence of fellow Michiganers Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels as well as pioneer rock-and-rollers such as Chuck Berry.

When one-time Velvet Underground patron and producer Andy Warhol died after a routine surgery, Reed closed a 25-year hiatus to collaborate with fellow ex-VU John Cale on Songs for Drella, a Warhol biography in minimalist pop music. Seger's successes paved the way for other heartland rockers including John Mellencamp and the Michael Stanley Band. Reed fired an angry salvo at his hometown's political problems on the hit album New York, denouncing crime, high rents, Jesse Jackson, even Pope John Paul II and Kurt Waldheim. As such he is often dismissed as a poor man's Bruce Springsteen, though this is an unfair comparison since Seger's career as a professional musician predates Springsteen's by five years. He married Sylvia Morales (later divorced). Seger is known as a workhorse midwestern roots-rocker who dealt with blue-collar themes and toured constantly in support of his frequent album releases. In the early 1980s, Reed gave up the drugs and depravity, both in his work and in his private life, to address more serious concerns, notably on his acclaimed comeback album The Blue Mask. He is best known for his work with the Silver Bullet Band, a group he formed in 1974.

His albums of the late 1970s are often regarded as a mixed affair by rock critics, owing at least partly to the addictions that were then overtaking Reed. Seger started his musical career in the 1960s in his native Detroit as a singer and as the leader of the Bob Seger System. Though admitting that the liner notes' list of instruments used is fictitious and parodistic, Reed maintains that MMM was and is a serious album. Robert Clark "Bob" Seger (born May 6, 1945) was an important figure in American rock and roll and pop music in the 1970s and 1980s, and continues to be influential today. The rock journalist Lester Bangs declared it genius. Extensive fan website (http://www.segerfile.com). Some regarded it as an attempt to break his record company contract. Official website (http://www.bobseger.com).

In 1975, he produced the double studio album of pure feedback Metal Machine Music. Face the Promise (due for release in 2005). Reed's persona was also far advanced, preferring black leather and S&M-like gear even in the hippie-infested 1960s. It's a Mystery (1995). In his chosen material Reed followed, and updated, such authors as Allen Ginsberg and Jean Genet. The Fire Inside (1991). "Perfect Day" is an elegiac paean to Reed's addiction to heroin, later included on the soundtrack to Trainspotting. Like a Rock (1986).

"Walk on the Wild Side" is a wry and graphic salute to the misfits, male hustlers and transvestites at Andy Warhol's Factory. The Distance (1982). Popular music would not catch up to him until the punks in the mid- to late-1970s, but even then his songs were unique: whether drenched in feedback or gently melodic, Reed usually sang about the disturbing, if not sordid, things other lyricists left out. Nine Tonight (1981). Reed's chosen subject matter was far ahead of its time. Against the Wind (1980). This, one of the more depressing albums ever made, includes "Caroline Says II" (violence), "The Kids" (prostitution and drug addiction), "The Bed" (suicide) and, unsurprisingly, "Sad Song.". Stranger in Town (1978).

He followed this with Berlin, which tells something like a love story of two junkies in the city of the same name. Night Moves (1976). In 1972 Reed, now a solo artist, released the glam rock album Transformer, produced by David Bowie. Live Bullet (1976). Though internally unstable (breaking up in 1970) and never commercially viable, the VU's reputation as the ultimate, most influential underground band has remained intact. Beautiful Loser (1975). Reed moved to New York City, working as a songwriter for Pickwick Records, and co-formed The Velvet Underground as lead guitarist/vocalist/lyricist. Seven (1974).

Reed said later his goals were "to bring the sensitivities of the novel to rock music," or to write the Great American Novel in a record album. Back in '72 (1973). Reed also developed a taste for free jazz and experimental music. Smokin' O.P.'s (1972). Reed attended Syracuse University where he met poet Delmore Schwartz, who Reed credits for his simple poetic vernacular and the encouragement to become a writer. Brand New Morning (1971). Reed was a fan of rock and rhythm and blues, playing in several high school rock bands, and had recorded a doo wop-style single as a member of The Shades. Mongrel (1970).

Reed was born in Freeport, Long Island, New York. Noah (1969). He lives in New York City. Ramblin' Gamblin' Man (1969). Lewis Allen Reed, known as Lou Reed (born March 2, 1942), is a rock'n'roll singer-songwriter with a lasting musical influence on punk and alternative rock. Reed has toured and recorded almost continuously since 1965. Rockin' on Broadway (The Time/Brent/Shad Story) (2000, includes first recordings with The Jades [1958] and solo [1962]).

September Songs (The Music Of Kurt Weill) (1997). Till The Night Is Gone: A Tribute To Doc Pomus (1995). Bright Red, Laurie Anderson (1994). Sweet Relief: A Benefit For Victoria Williams (1993).

Le Bataclan '72 with John Cale & Nico (2004). Songs for Drella with John Cale (1990). Animal Serenade (2004). Extended Versions (2003).

American Poet (2001). Perfect Night: Live in London (1998). Live in Concert (1997). Live in Italy (1984).

Live: Take No Prisoners (1978). Lou Reed Live (1975). Rock 'n' Roll Animal (1974). The Raven (2003).

Ecstacy (2000). Set the Twilight Reeling (1996). Magic and Loss (1992). New York (1989).

Mistrial (1986). New Sensations (1984). Legendary Hearts (1983). The Blue Mask (1982).

Growing Up in Public (1980). The Bells (1979). Street Hassle (1978). Rock 'n' Roll Heart (1976).

Coney Island Baby (1976). Metal Machine Music (1975). Sally Can't Dance (1974). Berlin (1973).

Transformer (1972). Lou Reed (1972). The Quine Tapes (live 1969, 2001). Peel Slowly and See (box set, 1995).

Live MCMXCIII (1993). Another View (1967-1969 outtakes, 1986). VU (1968-1969 outtakes, 1985). 1969 (The Velvet Underground Live) (1974).

Live at Max's Kansas City (1972). Loaded (1970). The Velvet Underground (1969). White Light/White Heat (1968).

The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967).