LOU REED: Before The Velvets & Why Lou is Lou
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- Lou Reed Growing up and living on Long Island, College, Work after, and how the Velvet Underground formed.
An idea of the brilliance of Lou. and why Lou was Lou.
Here is a good detailed follow up I found: The Velvet Underground - Night Games (Under Review Documentary)
• Video
I remember getting the album Transformer when I was a kid (I had a paper route and joined the RCA record club) I didn't really understand the lyrics or how controversial Lou really was at the time to be completely honest but really loved the album and got into Lous music because it was so different and cool. I was probably the only Lou Reed fan from Utah and still think Lou was the greatest.
Excellent response RJ.....the record clubs.....many of my NJ friends in 75' were getting albums for a $.01....I did not jump on it....oh well. It takes some creative and advanced minds to understand Lou and get him. But sounds you were on top of it.....and had to listen to it alone. thanks
Ayyy utah represent
I love everything about this story.
Oh I don’t doubt it. The VU probably doesn’t make it to the Native Diné communities and you know that the cult of Mormons wouldn’t get it.
My very first concert. The Berlin tour. September 1973, Sheffield City Hall, England.
that is a real out of the box show to have witnessed for a 1st show. but a great one
Hey Steve, I have no words. It would be very difficult for someone to make a better video on why Lou is Lou than this one. Just Sublime. I got to see Lou once in the eighties and just like every gig he ever did some idiot kept shouting Heroine at him the whole time. I think Lou was oblivious to it by this time. I can't claim to know even a quarter of his output, but I know enough to say I have always liked him and was deeply saddened by his passing. F**king great video man! Take care...
Point well made Tim! Thank you very much. I want folks to gain an appreciation of Lou. Especially that he had so much to offer. I still think his NY breed turns off folks....and that is a barrier I intended to break down. I had a few friends that would see him plenty.....and would embarrassingly be high as a kite and scream "LOoooooU! They are heard on a few NYC bootlegs. He did have that tough skin and was aware of it and accepted it, as you said. I am planning to do an album review, and I have some real nice LIVE albums I have been buying to show. thanks for all, steve
We saw him play the plexiglass guitar in St. Louis in 76 I believe or around that year, after he cleaned up from his first date that cancelled
A notch under your belt, nice......for some reason, I never went with my buddies in NYC to see him at that time period. Then again, these guys were competing with the uppers with Lou, and were the guys screaming "LOUUUUUU" at the Bottom Line. Maybe why I chose not to go.
Lou didnt say much, so when he did, you listened. I liked his frank directness. He was a cool character for sure. You are a great at story telling,man. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Good job.
thanks Steve for your comment and support on this. He was also very filtering on the BS vs who can keep up with the conversation at his pace. Just talk guitars and tech, and you were in for sure.
his lyrics were amazing he understood wat it was like to live in the dung heap and to suffer and be a outsider Lou was 1 of a kind he was the most human of the great rock writers more the Dylan Bowie just walking down the street in a wet winters day and see the homeless and the addicts as he sang Sweet Nothin R.IP lou u were 1 of the true artists and greats
Well, you understand it, that is cool. Not many Lou's around us, we were luck to have him, a one of kind that touch us all. I had the opportunity to go listen and read up to Lou's archives in NYC library. an amazing experience and I put a video out on that also. cheers steve
We covered many VU songs in late 70's early '80's (On Heat from Adelaide South Australia )especially "Heroin" ( we were potheads)!!
I take it that you are talking about your band covering VU. nice
The way I got turned on to Lou was in 1984 when I ran across R&RA on 8-track at a garage sale. The only reason I got it was because it said R&R on the cover, I've been hooked ever since.
That would do it for me also! nice! one of the best Live albums ever!
Fascinating! So many details of Lou’s early forays into a career as a musician that were new to me, plus multiple photos that I never knew existed.
so glad to hear you enjoyed. It is all about the turn on to have you walk away with something! cheers
I was 16 when Transformer came out and my friend went out if his way and bought Velvet Underground LPs. The rest is history. Like all of the Greats - I remember where I was when Lou passed......" Lou!!!!!!"
thanks for sharing. check out a few of my other Lou vids. April 20 2024 Record Store Day is releasing a special album dedicated to Lou songs by other artists. Keith Richards plays Waiting for the Man.
Great job, Steve... I have been a Lou/Velvets fan for a long time, read plenty of books and watched plenty of interviews - this was told quite well and I don't think you missed a thing. I "met" Lou once at at Jonathan Richman concert. Our eyes locked and I knew IMMEDIATELY from the look back it was, don't you dare say hello or come up to me. 180 degrees from Jonathan who I DID say hello to and made small talk.
Coming from you I really appreciate that Kris.....and thanks for telling me, as I take pride in delivering the best I could, and accurate (found a lot of BS). I feel Lou's NYC bad boy image turns (turned) people off, so I felt this video was needed.....finding the softer side of Lou is most obvious when he met Laurie......she really mellowed him and put him place and both clicked. Lol, that is real funny meeting him, and getting the dagger stare.....I always had my speech prepared if I ever met him.....pure Guitar geek talk only. Wow, and Jonathan.....cool, I believe he is exactly how he comes across in his interviews. Approachable. I love his interview delivery where he talks about going to Boston Art Museum because that is where the Boston University ladies hung out.....with their knee high fringed boots. thanks! steve
OMFG I’ve watched Lou troll those idiots too many times to count and it’s still hilarious. Kudos to the man for keeping his cool.
It had to be so annoying for Lou, but then again, he there were also times he had to unleash on idiocy! thanks!!
Great job 👏
Thank you! Cheers! glad you are a Lou fan!!!
Hey flip side! I haven’t watched your channel since part 2 of Black & Blue, and it’s great to be back!
thanks Ryan...welcome and keep it going....you should have seen PT3 posted today. talk soon
Thanks for this great wealth of information about my favorite poet Mr Lou Reed
Really touched me and brought back wonderful memories of people who turned me on to Lou
Very welcome Michele, we appreciate those folks that turned us on, it is a nice family that dig great RnR!
This was excellent from start to finish the Lou Reed study, Steve/FlipSideCT ! It was like I was in Lou Reed 101 class ! ha ha ha! I really learned a lot about Lou Reed the man, music, and career. If you want to do more on Lou Reed I would definitely be interested. There's so much about him I don't know. I'm surprised no one has approached Lou's sister about writing a biography on him. Keep up the great work.
Thank you Steve....great input to hear....fuel for me!! I want to be sort of less professional and like a lecture...more human side of delivery. I have an album review coming up....and showing a few cool live albums that are fantastic. There is a lot of Velvet out there, but not a lot of Lou details. I am sure his sis was approached. I would love to see more early photos......acutally Lou's first wife has a book...which might be of interest. She and Lou were opposites, she was part of his Transformer period and prior. thanks for all, steve
Lou Reed AKA Dour Eel - great doc as is always the case!
Lou is so misinterpreted and given his real credit. Hard to convince folks about him, so had to make this.
Fascinating video Steve!
Thank you for watching it.....I got my point made then!
thiss is ultracool you are a gem sir for making this masi danki masi danki masi danki
Thank you for the wonderful comment. I am so glad you can appreciate this, and especially Lou and Rock n Roll. That is cool also! cheers Check out my recent Part 1 Punk Documentary, and some others I did.
@@FlipSideCT oh Yeah me also a punkhead
so i will thxx 4 the heads-up
Hi Steve from Wales. I am a big Lou fan. This is a great video. Many thanks.
Hi Stephen.....thank you for the comment glad you enjoyed, thought you may say John Cale fan also from Wales, but probably that also. cheers steve
I like how you edited the video so we see all the people you are mentioning. When I read a book about RNR they always mention ton of names but they for the most part don t mean anything. I hope you do this for other bands and artists from who are icons of underground music.
thanks HP for commenting. I do understand how and what to present, so thank you. I do have several other docs on my channel and some nice Stones docs...hopefully you check them out.
Such a nice video... i hope everyone gets to see this
You and me both Victor. Thank you for the kind words and comment. You certainly picked up on my intention of this video, something different and something to walk away with learning about Lou. cheers
Hi , I remember being in London for that same tour, and Lou sat down on a chair, lit a cigarette, there was a tall ashtray there, he sat , had a few puffs and then began playing , it was a quiet song and during it an English ( I am Scottish) guy shouted "this is fucki*g boring", Lou continued unperturbed , but at the end of the song said somewhere along the lines of 'why do people bring children to these shows ' . Lou was a genius.
LMAO.....yes, there were plenty of those folks that just did not know how to participate. ...and to our point, why Lou was Lou! cheers thanks for sharing!!
why did you feel the need to tell the world you are scottish and the other guy was English? a dick is adick regardless where they come from, if anything you are a racist for saying that. would you have said "a black guy shouted...."?
The gruff anti-proffesional narration, and the great editing fit well for a docu on Reed. Superb piece
It was DIY using a cell phone for narration.
Hi Steve Great job on this...I might have to watching in parts....Love this interview at 3:25..lol. I saw Lou one day being helped into a cab by Laurie just before he died..it was obvious that he was not doing well. Wow..I love this statement from him. "I can't argue with an idiot...it's like talking to a squirrel." Lol. best, Ron
Hey Ron.....I would expect someone like yourself enjoying this.....like I say, an Artist's Artist. So glad you saw this and let me know. I can totally picture that Taxi scene, and only be saddened. Laurie was great for him, and if you ever see interviews of them together, it is so obvious he was so in love with her. Glad you picked up on the Squirrel....purposely put in, as it is great to watch Lou's eyes and hear him think. best, steve
I'm about 20 min in...watch so more later...but really enjoyed so far. @@FlipSideCT
wow thanks for this
a pleasure, and thanks for commenting! enjoy my others!!
I watched a bit more today.. ah, La Monte Young...In the 80's I used to do moving jobs with a van and then a truck with another musician. One night we help La Monte "move" (maybe steal?) a large number of his original master recordings.
Love that Aussie press conference clip. Lou answers their idiotic and banal questions perfectly. I especially love when Lou tells them he likes to spend his money on buying drugs for other people lol. They took it seriously too which makes it even better lol. Classic.
thanks for commenting, yes, Lou was 2 steps ahead and played around with many folks.
My youngest son says the press conference you reference is one of the funniest things he's ever seen. Lou didn't suffer fools.
@@patrickgoodspeedsr2653 Nice. Full of sarcasm and little tolerance and why Lou was Lou.
I read his Biography,It explains a lot.Lou is a genius.
Yes indeed! good reading!
Excellent video...Thanks..
So nice of you thanks MC.!!! sorry so late with this just saw it now.
Excellent doc
thank you Nick. we love Lou!!
What kinda parents wouldn't let their four year old to a Lou Reed concert!? Awesome stuff Steve , learned a lot , wish it was longer.
Talk to ya.
Cool Bill....lol. Glad you picked up some info. The only part....there is so much on the Velvets that is done already....not enough indepth Lou. Fyi....let me know if you want to go down to WFMU Brooklyn show April 27 Sat.......I will drive you down from my house.
The 2019 WFMU Record Fair returns to the Brooklyn Expo Center!
Hey Steve , just started watching the Vinyl series and I the first five minutes the Dolls are on , very cool.
Unfortunately I'll be in Hawaii on the 14th but I'd like to hit that up at one point .
What are you doing on Sunday ? Might be hitting up the City with a few other fellas.
@@helmutdiggy6874yes, Mercer ArtsCenter caving in. I'll take Hawaii. I have Rob's Facebook.....I will IM him for your Phone if that is ok to see about Sunday....that is possible, and would like to hear the plans......actually, I gave Rob my number to pass to you....call me
Hey Steve Stav has my info as well
What did you think of the velvet underground documentary by Todd Haynes? And I concur. The Decurtis book is great. Haven't read transformer.
That is the Apple TV one I believe......I have not finished it, but enjoy it and learned from it. It is well done....I think any fan can not Dislike it....it is great to see it. We know now how influential they were to so many of the post bands till today. Hopefully you saw my LOU ARCHIVES vid I did.....I went to NYC and viewed some of his personal archives, which is an experience any Lou fan should do. It is beyond great! thanks for commenting!
@@FlipSideCT Yes. that is the apple tv one. I actually geeked out and and saw it in a theater. then got apple + and watched it several more times. Very well done. I need to watch your LOU ARCHIVES !
Just talking about Fats Domino, for instance! That’s rock n’roll and Lou just gets it! Like all great artists, it just permeates and is regurgitated in Lou’s way! In my opinion, that’s artistry! Like hearing Keith Richards talk about Chuck Berry and Merle Haggard! Bam!
C' you totally get it, and very nice to see! I never tire of Lou.....and have so much of his collections. He was an inspiration to so many of us, and brought us to places we may have never gone!
💘
Thank you
very welcome.....glad you enjoyed it!
Garbage interviewes, with questions like he got, is an understatement!
yup, point made!
I loved his music but I found him a very difficult person to interview. I made it clear I was a longtime fan but he was so sulky. I note where he's talking to those twerps at the start of the documentary he was wearing impenetrable shades. Yet when I met him he said he wouldn't talk to anyone wearing mirror shades like me, even though I told him they were my prescription glasses! He mentions Hubert Selby jnr and Bill Burroughs, both of whom I met and both of whom were lovely guys. Bill even sent me Christmas cards. Nico was very nice to me anytime we met and Mo Tucker chatted happily on the phone. I wish I could have connected with Lou better - I think he automatically assumed rock hacks were illiterate as Frank Zappa did.
Hi Sandy....thanks for commenting. I am not sure what or where your interviews are located, but would like to see some of it. Did you do The Knack interview in 2010? How did you find my Lou doc? Thanks for sharing your info.....well, to your point, Lou was a totally unique and off the track personality, with little tolerance. If we met Lou 10 times, I am sure it would different every one......which is why I called this WHY LOU IS LOU. I know if I was to talk to him, my first topic would be geeking about guitars.....just like I would do with Keith Richards. Somehow break the barrier that way. thanks again!
@@FlipSideCT Most of my old interviews are on RocksBackPages, but I am unsure whether they have the Lou one. Re The Knack I was a big fan of theirs when they emerged when I wrote for Sounds magazine, but I haven't written anything about them as recently as 2010.
Thanks for responding to my comment - there's only a handful of You Tube creators do that but it's very gratifying. I found your film because I'd recently looked at a Mo Tucker documentary and I guess YT algorithm put in my feed as I'm outed as a VU fan.
I agree about Lou. He seems different in every interview. I loved his interactions with Lester Bangs that I read in NME, where they appeared to enjoy insulting each other at length!
@@Mistersandyrobertson I will surely investigate more of your work, very cool! I am glad you stopped by. I appreciate every single (positive) comment....the neg are just not constructive, and pretty idiotic. I think you should check out a few of my other docs that I have made. They are pretty deep.....and like you, I have a RnR passion. I am working right now on a Stones / Keith Toronto 77' doc.
@@FlipSideCT My mom was born in Toronto but I've only been there once. My late friend Kim Fowley was the MC at the Live Peace in Toronto festival in 1969 and convinced John Lennon to play there.
Time for bed as it's 3am here.
This is a good overview of Lou. However I have to say the narrator keeps loudly swallowing which is really really annoying. Perhaps some training would improve the presentation. I have followed Lou for years and learn some new tidbits were enlightening
glad you got something out of this......this is a DIY project and done with a cell phone. Feel free to donate if you care to hear better quality.
the condemnation and medical abuse lou endured fdor his sexuality is really sad.
gay people have always existed, whether they're accepted by society or not.
the world is a shittier place without Lou Reed in it.
yes!! mind blowing what his parents did to "think it was a cure", and the Dr's at that time. Even today we see it is still not accepted. Yes we want more Lou! thought we may have seen a Post album from other tunes never released. thanks
I can here to learn/ Brilliant? I've been writing songs most of my life. know local guys who could destroy Lou with one finger and no it's not about shredding its about songs. Feel free to like what you like I mean that but I swear millions were hypnotized ,something happened. He slammed the Beatles years back until he realized they were brilliant pop song writers. Lou wrote so many songs about perversion and little else form what I've tried to stomach. I mean no offense I really tried with this guy. Good documentary though!
it's is not for you! I have heard plenty of that. no need to defend your case. just move on is all that is needed.
like talking to a squirrel lol
that is LOU!
To the press, Lou was toxic masculinity before it was (un)cool.
a tough crowd
Toxic masculinity with unabashedly feminine qualities and mannerisms. It's so funny how little I realised I picked up from him being my idol in my teen years,even tho he was the reason I wore aviators and dyed my hair bleach blonde in my teens lol
Trashy* blonde...
@@jj80808 He was an inspiration to many. Check Out on YT Keith Richards just posted a cover new of WAITING FOR THE MAN. thanks for sharing
@@jj80808 Fascinating.
My name is Holly, and in 1973 I was hitchhiking around with my girlfriend/lover, Jackie. We sure loved Lou.
That surely must have hit home and brought the song closer! Thanks for sharing that!!
Funny you should say what you said at the beginning of this video, because I had the honour and the privilege of seeing Lou 3 times as a solo artist and once when the velvet underground reunion tour of Europe in 1993. The second time I saw Lou was at the Hammersmith Odeon when he did the songs for drella tour, and some idiot in the crowd shouted out, your full of shit, so Lou instantly stopped the band and said, if you don’t like the music just leave so everyone else can enjoy the music, or words to that affect, when he said what he said we all gave Lou a really big clapping and after another two songs the guy that was squirming in his seat just got and left, I personally just thought he was a idiot, seeing Lou for the first time was just amazing he was doing his New York tour, he came onto the stage and did the whole New York album, he finished the New York album and had a little break then he came back onto the stage and ripped right into my favourite Lou Reed song called, Street Hassle what a great second half of the gig it really was amazing, but he finished the gig and then came back onto the stage for a encore and he sung three of his greatest songs, walk on the wild side, I’m waiting for my man, and finally finished with rock n roll now you ain’t gonna get a better encore then that. The second time I saw him was when did the songs for drella tour and then the third time I saw him was in 2011 and I took my son who’s name is Lou but I didn’t name him after Lou Reed and he came onto the stage and I honestly nearly started crying I could see straight away that he wasn’t the same Lou Reed that I saw twice before in the very early 1990s and once when I saw the velvet underground, I could see that Lou unfortunately on his way out and it was heartbreaking for me to see my greatest singer/songwriter looking the way that he did and when Lou told that idiot to leave if he didn’t like it was in fact out of the 4 times that I had the honour and privilege of seeing Lou live on stage that was the only time that I ever heard Lou talk, he was known and criticised for not talking to the audience so what did Lou do to answer his critics, he made the live album, take no prisoners, and that shut his critics right up haha 😂 and what a great album it was, for me it’s the greatest live album I’ve ever heard. R.I.P. the great Lou Reed.
thanks for sharing your stories on your personal Lou experience. cool to hear and enjoyed it. I totally get your points, yes, I did stress this in my thoughts.....as Lou would get side swiped by many. He had to handle it the way he could, and was aware of it all.
there are not many Lou fans out there as I would hope for, as he has his edginess, and it does take a bit of a sophisticated mind to get him and approve his delivery. Critics fall into this also.
What is a critic? we all have our taste, and there are some that just click with us, and some that don't. Everything is critiqued. I see it in my docs that I make. I have about 3% of haters who just do not see eye to eye with me, and the majority of others do get it. cheers
Wow Steve. I am really impressed with what you put into this. Such a professional narrating job. Did you write all of the questions out and tune them before doing the actual taping? Now before going on I wanted to tell you that I first saw Lou live in May of 1979 at the Paradise Rock Club in Boston. His set included quite a few Velvet songs. One of the songs that I remember vividly was Heroin. I was 18 at the time . Seeing the sole white light shining on him as he acted out the mainlining scene was quite horrifying in a way. The second time I saw him live was at the 1987 Amnesty 'Conspiracy Of Hope' show at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. Wow, I never knew about LA and the Eldorados. Man did you put some research into this. I am going to grab the Anthony DeCurtis book. Another thing that I learned in this was how much he was into the technical side of the guitar. Or geeky side as you stated. I do remember seeing photos of him with Burroughs. So I did know that he was a fan of William. I don't think that there is anything that I did not read that Burroughs wrote. One of these days I will tell you about my close encounter with Burroughs. I am checking out some more of The Primitives this evening too. I tell you Steve. I thought that I knew about Lou Reed. But after seeing this I realized that I was just a casual fan. You have inspired me to spin Coney Island Baby. I have not listened to it in years. This is going to segway into an all Lou weekend. Thanks so much for doing this one. It was really enjoyable. ~
Rob/Boston
Hi Rob, it was a project for sure. Enough that I could not even play music while I worked on it, so I could focus on detail. There is a methodical approach on how I do this.....and getting all the info on paper is the first. Hopefully if we see each other I will explain more. So that was the Bells Tour you saw, very cool, and at Paradise wow.....I had my chances. That was real intense the Shooting Up imagery. I put in an Amnesty clip in here for you and I. The book is great as mentioned, I had to gather more info, so I spent plenty of listening to his interviews, so I made sure it was accurate info. He was very much into Electonics.....hence Metal Machine.....Laurie A. turned him on to a lot of it also....and look at those guitars..all different not mainstream. He was all about that Beat Scene (or I can say an early punk stage). glad to have put more info into that RnR head of yours.....Coney Island.....hmmmm.....nice. Lol....I am going to be doing a CIB album review, so your grabbed a good one! Give the Rock N Roll Heart or Legendary Hearts a good listen also....I almost did those reviews. I will have a cool Orpehum Live album to show soon. thanks for all Rob.....best, steve
@kkh369 That is some one of kind prize to have. A bit sad, but iconic and story to pass on for sure, thanks for sharing!
I was at that 79 Paradise show. Cheers...
“I can’t argue with an idiot. It’s like talking to a squirrel.” Timeless wisdom.
yup....how else can he make a point!
In 1989 while I was on Dead tour and in NYC, my girlfriend and I walked in the city and not knowing where we were going, ended up stopping at eating at a place near 5th ave where all the 3 card monty guys and fake Rolexes are. Anyway, Lou was in there with a redhead. On his way out he put his hand on our shoulders and asked if the Dead were in town. We said yeah but we missed yesterday's shows but will be there tonight. Ok, then have a good time kids....then left. He was so cool and in a good mood obviously :)
Thanks for sharing that. Like you, would never have expected Lou to say that. Good to know.
Those inane, ignorant, idiotic press robots surrounding and assaulting him with those incredible dumb senseless questions had me incensed. Lou handled it with cool class and brilliance.
yes indeed, he was on his A game with it, and gave them what they deserved. thanks for sharing
Lou had artistic integrity, something most in the music industry DONT have and will NEVER have. He never sold out to Hollywood or Mammon. a truly unique and rare artist.
He had his intellect that either you clicked with or did not, same with his music! thanks for sharing!
He sold out to Honda scooters though lol
I agree about the rest though.
@@natetheannihilnater1886 Artists deserve the extra $$.....that is old school thought. Plus it is great exposure to the public!
@@FlipSideCT Yea, i dont mind that he did it. Was just kinda funny. Was like John Lydon doing the butter commercial.
Im only 9 minutes in and I'm noticing the interviewers are my fellow Australians (how embarrassing "are you a transvestite or a homosexual", jesus christ!) Australian media and government institutions are so embarrassingly conservative, to the point of vulgarity
LOL, yea a bit behind in times. News stations just threw out anyone to do interviews. The Stones had some funny/sad ones also early on. Just a glimpse of what these artists had to deal with and why they were so bitter at times.
Yes it's not good like today, now you have grown men in pantyhose in the restroom with your daughter. How far we've advanced.
@@TheBigMclargehugedid you know that transphobes eat shit and die alone?
Thanks for this, I bought the first VU album when I was 14. It changed my whole view on life, I saw him live 4 years later in Belfast supporting U2 in ‘87. U2 should have been supporting him, he blew them away. One of the great artists.
So glad you enjoyed this Edward. I loved making it! I did not get into the VU until later, but at 14 was a solo Lou fan also. I saw Lou play with U2 at an ARMS festival in New Jersey in might have been 85. I am sure U2 were honored to have Lou open for them, and felt the same as you did. It is funny how some folks just can not figure out or dislike his delivery style. I will be showing soon some of his live albums I picked up in the past year. thanks, steve
U2 included satellite of love in their achtung baby tour ...and bono credited his "look" for the tour to lou reed
Watched half so far. This is so well done. I'm learning so much. Fascinating footage. His interviews are cracking me up!!!! I had never seen those. I'll check out the other half later today or tomorrow. Thanks for doing this, Steve.
it is all about the Turn On.....gotta get Lou out there and exposed more. thanks for the watch.....cheers, steve
FlipSideCT I just finished the rest a bit ago. Thank you so much for all you put into this. Just amazing. Best thing I’ve seen on TH-cam in quite some time...
Kudos!
@@TheOmahaIntrovert Kudos to you for watching/enjoying it. Thank you Hanna. I did not see anything out here or doc that exists in identifying Lou's foundation, it is usually only a 5 minute length synopsis if anything. I have more Lou coming ahead. keep smiling! steve
Fan: Heroin!!!!!!!!
Lou: STFU!!!!!!!!
Why Lou was Lou!
@@FlipSideCT I love Lou not only because he put out great music but he wasn’t afraid to speak and didn’t give a shit how anyone felt about it.
@@FormerlyNYVulgarian yes, that is what we loved about him! A true sophisticated punk!
@@FlipSideCT he’d be canceled today if he was in his prime making that glorious music.
@@FormerlyNYVulgarian no he wouldn't. he was on the right side of history when it came to LGBTI+ rights, acceptance and embrace of trans people - people get "cancelled" for being bigoted cunts. lou was anything but.
(admittedly "i wanna be black" was in pretty poor taste (lol) but was certainly not an attack on african americans)
I have seen lots of those old press interviews they were brutal. Lots of gotcha questions, shaming, looking to tear the artist to pieces. I am guessing the record companies pressured some of these artists to do it even though they were going to get attacked on their eccentricities and lifestyle.
just ridiculous journalism, and they were thrown into a situation they knew nothing about. Typical and still going on. Yes, the PR teams had their schedules and quota to meet. But then you get some folks like Anthony D. that can talk at the same level.
"Are you a transvestite or homosexual?"
Sometimes.
why Lou is Lou!
“I can’t argue with an idiot… it’s like talking to a squirrel” 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
yup, Lou heard it all!
Excellent work on this! …liked and subscribed.
thanks ZB for letting me know.....I love it myself! check out the others.
"It's like talking to a squirrel".
One thing I'll never forget is talking a girl in my therapy group out of getting shock treatments. The therapists hated me for this and immediately gave me an ultimatum: take lithium or we won't treat you anymore. Guess what drug I still haven't tried.
That girl never took shocks and she came out of her unbearable state several months later. 👍
thanks for sharing. yes, that is a great line and typical Lou, brilliance.
Other then what I hear, I can not imagine what that "so called Therapy" is like. Meds are ok, but the right and gentler ones.
Insightful and very informative! Well done, I like your narrative..
thank you for the comments, glad you got something from it. I sure did. cheers steve
Me too, how refreshing it is to have such a work. I'd only say that Victor Bokris wrote a book about William Burroughs and I hated it feeling he is a fan boy interloper however I've yet to read his Lou book so can't denounce him entirely. Thanks again for the upload 📙📖😊
Those were probably the most interesting days to be alive-the late fifties (the beat generation), the sixties (the flower power generation), and the seventies-where a flood of tight, talented, entertaining bands emerged. The New York scene and likes of a young Lou Reed, the Velvets, CBGB’s, Andy Warhol, Nico, Young Bob Dylan, Burroughs, Ginsberg, Gonzo, Alan Watts, the San Francisco psychedelic scene-Hendrix, Joplin, The Dead, The Airplane. The LA scene-The Doors, The Cars, Van Halen, The British Invasion-The Yardbirds, The Stones (with Brian Jones), The Beatles, The Kinks, Zeppelin, The Who…
I was kind of at the tail end of the best of that cultural revolution. By the time I hit eighteen (1973) it was already winding down. I did get to a lot of great concerts, but by the time the eighties ended, it was like the most interesting era in that particular cultural revolution was over. Today is sterile, commercial, and boring era with but a few exceptions. My vinyl collection contains almost nothing released after 1990. I know, I know-I’m getting to be an old curmudgeon. But honestly, I’d rather listen to opera than Hip Hop or “Today’s Country”. Ah well, time for my Geritol.
great points....yes! You had to find the happening scene it did not find you like it does in our past 30 years. Yes, my vinyl is 90% pre 90's. I get it! thanks for sharing
Great documentary. Transformer is the album that got me into Lou. I view Lou, Iggy and Bowie as a sort of triumvirate of 70s rock. Rock N Roll Animal is one of my all time favorite live albums. It was always great watching Lou eviscerate idiots and phonies.
YW, and thank you....glad you are a Lou fan. There is plenty to share with Lou, and we need to keep him going. thanks for sharing.
A pretty nice, quality framed print of that famous shot of the three of them (Iggy, Bowie and Lou Reed) together is hanging in my home. it’s kinda like my own “Big Three” moment from the Yalta Conference, or the frescoed Last Supper painted by Leonardo in the High Renaissance.
@@colinpsykes Awesome 👍
Just saw this....love it! Bravo! I used to use a tech called Harry Colby around 7th Ave and 28th?...anyway, I was coming up the elevator in the building to pick up a reel-to-reel tape machine and I hear this guitar playing through the elevator shaft and oddly I thought to myself "it sounds like Lou Reed" not because of what he was playing but the way he was playing. I walk into the shop and there are Lou and Robert Quine hanging out checking a Fender amp Harry had modified. Harry introduces me and I still remember the first thing I said to Lou after telling them what a pleasure it was to meet them. I said, something like "I have to tell you I absolutely love Berlin it is one of my favorite albums"...he seemed really pleased...now I know why! New York still makes me fn weep everytime I listen to it ...RIP Lou
always love to hear a Lou story, thanks for sharing and watching. Lou spent time down at Carmine St. nice memory. steve
Yes,.new York album is special
Super cool video! Really appreciate you making this. He was definitely problematic, but that doesn't take away from the revolutionary quality of his work.
thank you!! had a blast making this, and feel there is nothing out there that goes over this. Revolutionary, yes! It takes special folks that can appreciate him!
This is a major work, very good enjoyed every minute
TY MP.....my goal was accomplished! Wanted folks to see insight from another perspective! cheers
I love that beginning interview so much! He never ceases to make me laugh w/ his wit and brilliance. What you mentioned about, ‘garbage interviews/interviewees’, is spot on! I’m exasperated by their ridiculous questions myself! Can’t imagine what they expected when they asked certain questions! Lol! Lou is so brilliant and to me, a great rock n’ roller! Always! Thanks Flipside!
ahhhh, you are on to Lou now. cool! He was brilliant for sure, and seemed also to get bored easy. You may want to look for my video where I go to the NYC Library to look at some of his personal archive collection.....that to me was a fantastic adventure that I will do again. He is the face of 'Punk'. a pleasure my friend!
Wow, I can’t believe I stumbled on this treasure!! Thank you!!
Nice to hear that! Glad you can dig this, and I appreciate you letting me know, and so glad to have shared it. I have other docs (more Stones).
I'm on this Steve. Doing it in instalments and will be back to comment properly.
Kids today have it good, the military draft was serious. War isn’t a video game.I was classified 1H (student deferment) the last year of the draft in 72 till Nixon ended the next year. I had friends “who weren’t”,say they “were gay” to be exempt from the military.Being gay had a real stigma it doesn’t today.
Sure, a totally different time. WWII had folks signing up all over, even different time back then. The term "gay" at that time, yes, frowned upon and treated as a disease.
These idiot writers have almost dismissed his solo career. It’s just insane
Some will never get it, still! They are just a joke. Very few know RnR!
Lou Reed got his interview etiquette from Jerry lewis.
he needed to get a point across
nah - this is *very* warhol. see 4:50
Why doesn't this video have 100's of thousands of views? Excellent job. And your voice is a pleasure to listen to.
thank you very much Memo....some folks get this video others do not. We know it is RnR!!! cheers
Hey Steve, what can I say but outstanding work! This was an absolute treat, once again filling in a good few gaps in my knowledge and also giving real insight into a pretty inscrutable guy (to my eyes). Really enjoy your take and your narrative voice :) Moreover though, when I start to think of the hours of writing and editing you've undertaken (let alone all the reading and listening!!), i feel truly humbled that you devote so much time to bringing us all this doco. Thank you sincerely. Cheers- Dean
That cliche "labour of love"......and a lot of focus peppered in there. I am by no means an expert on the topics......so the learning while I work on it makes it worthwhile...... Then deliver it like we are having a beer together. Thanks for understanding the effort......hey, maybe one day someone will ask me to make a doc and pay me. I could not listen to music while I did this, that was the only bad thing. Then there is the "turn on" that I want folks to gain an appreciation of Lou. Especially that he had so much to offer. I still think his NY breed turns off folks....and that is a barrier I intended to break down. As you know, I embrace your words with much genuine admiration. thank you for all, steve
Stumbled upon this video and I am very thankful. My sister Bettye Kronstad dated and briefly was married to lou. She authored a book and is in the process of creating a seen play that she hopes well turn into a movie. This video answered a lot of questions for me. I hope your research takes you further into Lou's life. I've also become interested in the singer model actress Nico.
Glad you stopped by. Thank you for your comments and glad this was useful for you! If you are truly related, that is cool. She must have had something to magnetize Lou, especially at Columbia in 69. She was with him in real pivotal years. Thank you for the reminder, I just ordered PERFECT DAY. Glad Bettye did write it, and glad she is doing more. I do realize Bettye is a teacher, freelance writer/editor, and theater professional. Now that you mention, I would like to interview Bettye one day!
Yes, NICO is an amazing character to research and learn about. One of Warhol's Frankenstein puzzle pieces. I have a book still to read on her also...just too much! Maybe you should put together a doc on her. Then again, there is so much out there now.
cheers and thanks again.
When Nico was a small girl, she watched Cologne or Berlin burn, from in the forest where she lived. Her mother and grandmother took her there to get out of the cities.
The movie Nico ‘88.
"He was a c.....complex person."
yes, a lot going on. But think he got pretty grounded later with Laurie.
Wonderful research, cool assembled photographs and footage with a terrific performance by you, Steve. I just knew that you would nail it. I learned a great deal. Thank you! Rock On. - Heather
thanks so much Heather. very nice comments. I learned a lot also, and it was a pleasure to make and share it for that purpose. best, steve
i never knew if lou was into dylan i all ways thought he might be.
I want to say he was, especially from a literary sense. I think that may be in the books somewhere. I did cover a Dylan song Foot of Pride..and Dylan has spoken of his admiration for Lou.
Brilliant Steve.....enjoyed all of this, and learned many things I never knew about Lou and VU. I wish it kept on going. Great research and info and presentation of course. I hope the VC enjoys this as much as I did.
Wonderful to hear.....and goal has been met! There is so many Velvet Docs out there......but less Lou specific that is detailed. Took a lot of time, but a labour of love. thanks for all!
More important (to me) than his lyrics, guitar playing, delivery, image, art, is his ever present Brooklyn accent.
He's Lou from NYC, "You best believe I'm from New York City" (London Boys Johnny Thunders) Lou had concrete pride in art, a fan before he was a man.
NYC, before it became L.A. north!!!
We need more innovation, creation today. More balls and no conformity.
well said. rough around the edges.
..................Why Lou is Lou?.....That's something Lou took to the grave
We will never know, will we? thankful for his contributions though!
Steve, I have been looking forward to this one coming out. Lot of great info and some more stuff I did not know. I plan to look into the book A Life Lou Reed. I found it interesting to see he early writing credits were to Lewis Reed, makes sense but never thought about it.
Having a woman in the band seems like it could have been hell for Mo considering Reed's women issues.
I did not know or forgot that Reed knew Candy Darling before he/she was known as that.
The influence of Delmore Schwartz was so important, it really pushed him. Lou and Andy were a good fit as they both were attracted to creative underground people. Of course those personalities weren't meant for long term relationship.
Fluxus was new to me, interesting. Also amazing how the Ostrich Tuning has become a part of so many underground type bands today. I love that sound when bands use it
Steve I truly appreciate the time and effort you are putting into these documentaries. You and James Griffith create by far my favorite videos. These are so good and interesting, kudos to you. I hope people will take notice of this. I am going to push this video. Awesome stuff. Steve
Smile Smile Smile....thank you Steve.....great to hear your input here.....as I mentioned to someone...it is fuel for the fire. All I can say is I learned plenty also......Mo was treated as you can expect as the "little sister" she was well protected. Lou adored Andy.....and despite the fallouts they had, Lou always spoke so highly of Andy's influence and to do what they intended to do in music, and not make any changes. There were so many tangents I could have gone into....to help people get a dose of what they "may not know"...but it would have gone for so long. Yes, that Fluxus is not for all, but so so so interesting how artists were just going out of the box. I know you get all of this, and do appreciate it all...so coming from you, I always dig it! thanks for the shining words....best Steve
Cant wait for Keith Richard's version of Waiting For The Man
it is out already on his channel
Great job. The combination of the images and clips with your narration really held my interest.
Thank you for the feedback and observations. It is a challenge to come up with these docs from scratch, and glad you understood my flow, and that is exactly my goal is too keep your interest with something. If you look around my videos, I share the same format with other cool topics. thanks steve
I was at the London Palladium of the 'New York' tour and during one of the songs Lou sat down at as I view it the left of the stage (his right) , lit a cigarette , sat for a wee minute and smoked , using a high ashtray, and started, I think , 'Endless Cycle', during the song there were some shouts from English people saying 'boring' etc,
at the end of the song Lou went to the centre stage (on his carpet) and said "Why do people bring kids to these adult shows" ( I paraphrase ) What a remark , cut them down . amazing. I went from Scotland to hear, see, listen , Ioved it. Lou you are ThEe greatest , 'no one like you' .
Cheers
Chris.
thanks for sharing that Chris. Sounds like a perfect Lou response. Sad he had to deal with that. Just like Dylan getting called "JUDAS" for the electric guitar.
I was there too that night. I think the black singer was there doing one or two songs? Lou was very pissed off at the heckler.
@@robertkahn9151 thanks for sharing Robert....great to hear this. nice!
@@robertkahn9151 I think you could have looked up the band members names and found Fernando Saunders rather than saying 'the black singer' . I won't ' hi-jack the original post, si I will leave it at that.
@@thepetspider Well it was not Fernando Saunders. Try again.
The introduction grabbed my attention right away and I wanted to know more about who Lou was.
I really got a kick on how he dealt with the poor media questions.
ECT yeah that'll fix it. It's crazy to think this was a medical procedure. It messed up Roky Erickson too and I think they still use it at some institutions for special needs patients. Makes me mad.
I appreciate your passion for music history, especially surrounding The City, and enjoyed the finished project you've spent a lot of time on and presented here. Thank you for facilitating this so I could learn more about the visionary, the one and only Lou Reed.
Now to go search for a rare VU acetate!
Super kind words, and thank you for appreciating this.....I always say, it goes a long way for me knowing someone commented saying they enjoyed and got something out of this. Lou was known to have an bitter spell and treat media bad.....I wanted to show why that was Lou. I knew the opening was going to put it on the right track. Right Roky....horrible. Some people who claim they are experts are just guessing.
Yes, Lou is NY, and I believe why he does not get the exposure he deserves....so that is my other goal. This was a lot of work.....it put life on hold. I will have more Lou Live Albums to show and a Review....thanks for your support, steve
They do still use ECT on patients who seem to not respond to medication. Lobotomies are still legal and performed, though it's kept very hush. I found this out when I went to a psych ward for depression and asked the doctor. She seemed uncomfortable admitting it.
Excellent work Steve. I've been watching this in chunks over the last couple of days. As you know, I'm currently reading DeCurtis' book (just got past the release of the live album, '69, with its version of 'Oceans' that Lou was particularly fond of). His point about 'Berlin' in reference to works in other fields, such as Hamlet, is spot on, of course. Anyway, this is great background material. Cheers, Ian
Thank you Ian....I figured it was a bit lengthy. Some folks say they prefer the complete footage, and others say in parts. I still have to finish the book.....this was much research and reviewing only this early time period for me, I was stuck in a loop. It took time to find the right pieces of interview footage that would make the point come clear across. thanks for your comments, steve
@@FlipSideCT Well worth the time you put into researching, Steve, and quite a lot to unravel for such a complex character!
David Bowie was a brit Lou Reed.
It was kind of weird but I didn’t know I was such a big Lou Reed fan and David Bowie fan until they died and realized how many albums I had of them and liked them.
David Bowie’s characters were more theatrical,
Lou Reed was his characters, he was the Rock’n’roll Animal.
Iggy and Lou were pre Bowie. Bowie went to NYC to gain more, and found Max's Kansas City. That is where and why he changed to his new look and the gay theater. and got exposed to both of them. Now you can keep listening to those albums.
@@FlipSideCT Do a vid about Nico.
She is riveting. How she used to carry the tape recorder thing around with her all the time and doing gigs behind the Iron Curtain. The movie, Nico ‘88.
@@FlipSideCT Do a video about Nico.
She is fascinating. When she was a young girl she watched Berlin or Cologne burn from the forest. Her mother and grandma went there to get out of the cities. How she always had that tape recorder thing with her. Doing gigs behind the Iron Curtain.
@@georgeredhawk1996 There is so much out there already on Nico. My focus is things that are not mainstream.
Lou Reed was a real great composeur, Bowie can't be compared.
This doc is great. It covers a lot of ground with no wasted baggage. The minimalist production values suit the subject matter perfectly. Kudos!
nice to hear, thanks for the support. No Fluff, from a fan for a fan. enjoy my other Lou's and docs
Steve your channel is incredible. I am also enjoying your deep dives into the Stones! Please keep making more content like this. The best!
GJ thank you very much....and for getting my channel's exposure purpose. It is great to see folks like yourself be in sync with me on the music. I do plan on more, just so much friggin time. cheers Steve
@@FlipSideCT yes these must take a lot of time to make and I appreciate it. So well researched I feel like I am taking a college class! I know a lot about music and I am learning stuff from your videos. Just awesome.
@@curlessmania4708 funny you say that....yea, with multi media. All 'bout the "turn on", to learn something you don't know.
That was the best documentary on Lou that I've ever seen bar none. Well played sir!
TY TZ!!!!!! I enjoy it myself!!
14:40
Lou Picasso 👍
Great doc. No dressing, just photos and tidbits I had no idea about.
thanks Richard. Because a true fan that gets what other fans want to see and hear did it!
I LIKE THIS DOCUMENTARY, STEVE. I'M A HUGE RIP LOU REED & VELVET UNDERGROUND FAN. MY FAVORITE LOU REED RECORD IS "TRANSFORMER!" It was produced by David Bowie RIP and featured great players and performers such as Herbie Flowers and Mick Ronson RIP. I love albums one can enjoy from beginning to end. Especially on vinyl! Vinyl gives that deep low end bass groove that only "a listener" can get from listening to great studio recordings on vinyl records. THANKS FOR THIS VIDEI, STEVE. HOPE YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE DOING WELL AND I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEWEST DOCUMENTARIES.😊 I'm hoping to see A Rolling Stones Doc on 1981s "Tattoo You" Period. 🎶🙏🏽
Hi DM....glad you saw this, and enjoyed it. Lou is one of a kind. I love all his albums. Transformer is a great one!. all good here, and hope with you. I have not yet started any new docs. I still need a break. I am prepping for a LIVE TH-cam video early September with Curt Angeledes who wrote the Stones book Go For Broke. I will be interviewing him, so keep an eye out and hope the timing works for you.
It was NICO that drew everyone to the Velvets. The first VU record should have been called "Nico...with the Velvet Underground". Without her, there was nothing interesting about them, except for John Cale, who also did a brilliant job on The Marble Index.
@@gordonharrell5725 Everyone has their opinion....no right or wrong, just what each of us dig one more then the other. Nico, visually, yes. Lou is NY, and that is why I connect, aside from lyrics/guitars. Enjoy Cale, but it was the sum of all of them for me.
@@gordonharrell5725 lol that's a ridiculous claim. she sang on a handful of tracks on the first record, in a band that completely altered the course of musical and cultural history.
you take these hack journalists' bullshit too seriously.
Good job Steve. I enjoyed this. - Chris
thanks Christopher, I enjoyed it myself and learned. best steve
Great vid Thanks, cool personal history touch as well, being a couple of miles away
Glad you enjoyed it thanks for letting me know. Check out the others on my channel..
This is a real treat man, thanks
Thank you! a treat for me to hear this!! Love hearing from Lou fans!!
i think even lou would of liked that, well done mate.
lol.....approach Lou gently!! I think so, loved the comment!! ty
Hi Steve.. I enjoyed every minute of this video..
That is great Garen.....I know you have appreciation for this topic and would enjoy it. thank you!!
I’ve been hooked on Lou and the VU since somewhere around ‘66. My best friend had an older sister and they’re parents thought if the made Sue take us along, she would behave. Sue was a wild child. Soooo, rather than get in trouble, she got us to do it too. I don’t know what any of you know about Austin,Tx at that time but you could see Frank Zappa at the Vulcan Gas Co and they had LIGHT SHOWS.
very cool.....a special historic time. Magical. VU cross the US....and folks did not know what to make of them.....that would be priceless to have witnessed. There is always someone in the bunch that leads the others to the water!
Wow, did you get to see the 13th Floor Elevators? Sounds like you were in Texas at the right time…
A lot of people got to hate "light shows", which started at the Electric Circus, when Jerry Brandt picked the idea up from Andy. That's where the big, over-lit concerts of the time began. Lou HATED all of that.
@@gordonharrell5725 thanks for sharing that. I can not even imagine how much Lou just hated those light shows. Good once or twice. I see that Jerry Brandt wanted to ride the wave of whatever was popular.
@@FlipSideCT Jerry was just emulating what was already happening at the factory . Jerry Brandt promoted a lot of great stuff. He was a nice man though. I hated him for dissing Jobriath. I had a big argument with him about it, after which he never said another negative word about him. Jerry was so conflicted about his sexual orientation.
Thank you for this doc. I first saw Lou in a small town north of London, called Dunstable, I was around 14. He played a solo, acoustic set, and even to my immature mind, it blew me away. I was already into the Velvets. My parents were very musical, and this was instilled in me. I have been a lifelong fan, and my kids grew up on the Velvets, and other alternative music. One of my sons is now teaching music, and has his own, very small record label in London, Blip Discs. He also djs, as does my youngest daughter. Althouth Tom has just completed a MA in Artificial Intelligence, he has a terrific pull toward music, and loves instilling this in the kids he teaches. He also loves VU, and has a very eclectic taste. Last year his school Christmas concert, that he organised, played Psycho Killer by Talking Heads! The vicar was amused, but bewildered!
thank you for sharing your very cool and touching experience and family stories. Very nice to hear that. To see Lou solo and acoustic set, I do not think he did that often so that was a treat. I know he did not allow the NY Dolls open for him when they were supposed to (I think Manchester dont remember, I have it in one of my docs). It is great to see the classic and important music be passed on. Newer bands are referencing their influences so hopefully it keeps getting passed on from folks like your kids and other professionals. cheers
@@FlipSideCT So nice of you to reply! The gig I was at was at Dunstable Civic, 30th Oct 1972. Pretty weird and amazing to say the least, but at the time I simply took it completely for granted, as kids do! However, I’ve never forgotten it, and never lost my admiration for Lou 💙