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From the Velvet Underground to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a look back at the rock pioneer’s remarkable career
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Lou Reed poses for a photo in the Sixties.
Read Rolling Stone's Lou Reed obituary here, and listen to 20 essential Reed tracks here.
Gems/Redferns
Lou Reed poses for a portrait.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Lou Reed with The Velvet Underground in 1968.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Lou Reed poses for a photograph dressed in a bowtie and hat, circa 1970.
David Warner Ellis/Redferns
Lou Reed performs at the Crystal Palace Garden Party in London on September 15th, 1973.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Image
Lou Reed poses for a portrait.
Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
Lou Reed performs at Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Holland on May 19th, 1974.
Richard E. Aaron/Redferns
Lou Reed performs with John Cale in a rehearsal studio in New York in 1975.
Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
Lou Reed smokes a cigarette in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 1976.
Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns
Lou Reed performs in Amsterdam, Netherlands in April 1977.
Ebet Roberts/Redferns
Lou Reed with Andy Warhol at a David Johansen concert at the Bottom Line in New York in July 1978.
Ebet Roberts/Redferns
Lou Reed with Debbie Harry and Iggy Pop at a party for a book on Blondie in New York on May 4th, 1982.
Frans Schellekens/Redferns
Lou Reed performs at Pinkpop Festival in Landgraaf, Netherlands on April 4th, 1992.
Rob Verhorst/Redferns
Lou Reed performs at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 1st, 1996.
Lex van Rossen/MAI/Redferns
Lou Reed poses for a portrait in Amsterdam in 2003.
Peter Kramer/Getty Images
Lou Reed and Alicia Keys perform "Satellite of Love" at the Pusher's Ball to benefit Keep A Child Alive at the Angel Orensanz Foundation Center for the Arts in New York on December 1st, 2004.
Scott Gries/Getty Images
Lou Reed performs with Trey Anastasio during the 15th Annual Tibet House Benefit Concert at Carnegie Hall in New York on February 9th, 2005.
Steven Dewall/Redferns
Lou Reed poses with his pet dog at Lit Bar in New York on November 15th, 2005.
Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images
Lou Reed and David Bowie attend the opening of Lou Reed NY photography exhibit at the Gallery at Hermes in New York City on January 19th, 2006.
Paul Bergen/Redferns
Lou Reed performs his 1973 album Berlin at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam, Netherlands on June 20th, 2007.
Olaf Kraak/epa/Corbis
Lou Reed opens his photo exhibition entitled 'Lou Reed's New York' at gallery Serieuze Zaken Studios in Amsterdam on October 11th, 2007.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Lou Reed performs with James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett of Metallica during rehearsals for the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert at Madison Square Garden in New York in October, 2009.
Ben Hider/WireImage
Lou Reed and his wife, Laurie Anderson, attend the 2010 Mermaid Parade at Coney Island in New York on June 19th, 2010.
Tim Mosenfelder/WireImage
Lou Reed and James Hetfield of Metallica perform on day two of Metallica's 30th anniversary shows at the Fillmore in San Francisco on December 7th, 2011.
Peter Wafzig/Redferns via Getty Images
Lou Reed performs at the Kunst!Rasen in Bonn, Germany on June 29th, 2012.
Juan Naharro Gimenez/WireImage
Lou Reed presents his book 'Rhymes' at Matadero in Madrid, Spain, on November 16th, 2012.
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for John Varvatos
Lou Reed attends John Varvatos Presents Transformer By Lou Reed And Mick Rock in New York City on October 3rd, 2013.
