Lou Reed, the rock legend, passed away on Sunday, October 27. He was 71 years old, and known for his work with the band The Velvet Underground, as well as his hit song “Walk On The Wild Side.” It was revealed that he died of liver disease, after having liver transplant surgery in May of this year. He was treated for it again until just a few days ago.

Reed was a very influential songwriter and guitarist, and was held in very high regard among musicians and fans all over the world. Although never achieving mainstream success, the album Velvet Underground and Nico has been viewed as one of the most influential rock albums of all time. Another popular album of theirs, “Loaded,” included the hits “Sweet Jane” and “Rock And Roll,” a single that the band Phish has been famously covering for a number of years.

Just a perfect day you made me forget myself I thought I was someone else, someone good #RIP LOU REED

— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) October 27, 2013

Can't believe the news about Lou Reed. Music, culture & NYC owe so much to him. I dress my kid like him. Love ya babe.

— Jill Hennessy (@JillHennessy) October 27, 2013

Lou Reed enjoyed great success with The Velvet Underground throughout the late 1960’s, and when he left the band in 1970, he ventured out to begin a solo career. His first solo album “Transformer” was produced by David Bowie, and featured his most famous song called “Walk On The Wild Side,” which was an ode to the odd and outrageous people that he met while hanging out with Andy Warhol, who produced The Velvet Underground’s first album.

While Reed was famous for his sexual persona, and excessive drug use throughout the 60’s and 70’s, he has been sober since the 1980’s. He is also a practitioner of Tai Chi, and Dr. Charles Miller of the Cleveland clinic where he was treated stated that “He was doing his Tai Chi exercises within an hour of his death, trying to keep strong and keep fighting.”

so while I don't do a lot of RIP stuff here I want to say I am literally pouring libations out onto my driveway for Lou Reed

— The Mountain Goats (@mountain_goats) October 27, 2013

Lou Reed is the reason i do everything i do

— Julian Casablancas (@Casablancas_J) October 27, 2013

The rock legend was born in 1942 in Brooklyn, NY. He grew up and attended Syraucse University, where he took inspiration from the poet Delmore Schwartz. He was a very influential artist who helped shaped several new genres of the music industry, and according to Rolling Stone, glam, punk and alternative rock are all unthinkable without his regulatory example.

I met Lou Reed and told him he gave me tinnitus at a concert in 1989 that never went away and it was worth it. Dirty Blvd. Love to Lou.

— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) October 27, 2013

Rest in peace, Lou Reed. Your musical influence will never be forgotten.

— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) October 27, 2013

Very sad to hear the news of Lou Reed's passing. Another rocknroll legend has left us mere mortals behind. Thanks for the inspiration, Lou.

— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) October 27, 2013

NY lost one of its originals with Lou Reed's passing. So sad. RIP.

— Susan Sarandon (@SusanSarandon) October 27, 2013

Lou Reed will be remembered as one of the greatest and most influential rock and roll legends of all time. He was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1996, and will undoubtedly be a treasured member of the rock community for generations to come. Reed left behind his wife Laurie Anderson, a performance artist, and composer.

Image via Youtube