In this episode of pplpod, we explore the complex life and artistry of Lewis Allan Reed, known to the world as Lou Reed—the principal songwriter of the Velvet Underground and a "proto-punk" pioneer whose career spanned five decades,. We discuss his early years in New York, including his traumatic experience with electroconvulsive therapy as a teenager and his mentorship under poet Delmore Schwartz at Syracuse University,.

Listen in as we chronicle the formation of the Velvet Underground, their time as the "house band" for Andy Warhol’s Factory, and how they became one of the most influential groups in underground rock history despite their lack of commercial success,,. We also dive into Reed's unpredictable solo career, ranging from the glam rock breakthrough Transformer—produced by David Bowie—to the abrasive experiment of Met ...