Remembering Lou Reed

In wake of his passing yesterday, many news sources have posted stories, music and comments about the legacy of Lou Reed, the pioneering founder of the Velvet Underground and staple of the New York art, and punk scenes. The Daily Dot posted some Spotify playlists; both a list of songs he liked from Spotfy radio, and a two-volume curated compilation of songs which can be found below.

A live performance from Paris in the 1970s which was shared on YouTube, also below. As well, the Guardian republished a famous interview which saw Lester Bangs confront and interview his hero Lou Reed. Gothamist shared a photo gallery which was posted for his 71st birthday in March. Spin hosted an article from legendary critic Robert Christgau. A high school photo appeared on Twitter, Lou's praise filled review of Kanye West's Yeezus and finally a memorable documentary about Reed from Rock and Roll Heart.

Lou Reed (1942-2013)

Lou Reed, legendary musician, pioneering songwriter and leader of Velvet Underground has passed away at 71. While the cause of death has not been announced, Rolling Stone notes that the singer had a liver transplant in May. Born in Brooklyn in 1942, the musician began his career in the 1960s and continued to write and record to this day. Rolling Stone's lengthy eulogy adds a quote from Reed when he was interviewed for the magazine in 1987:

All through this, I've always thought that if you thought of all of it as a book then you have the Great American Novel, every record as a chapter. They're all in chronological order. You take the whole thing, stack it and listen to it in order, there's my Great American Novel.

Our condolences to his friends, family and fans.

Pat Fear of White Flag (1961-2013)

William ""Pat Fear" Bartell of seminal punk band White Flag has passed away. A story from the Press Enterprise confirmed the sad news, noting that the death was due to natural causes,

PE also has a page of stories, Tweets and photos that fans and friends have shared. Find that here.

Our condolences to his friends and family.

Philip Chevron of The Pogues (1957-2013)

Philip Chevron, guitarist of the pioneer celtic punk band The Pogues passed away this morning at the age of 56. The influential musician was remembered by his bandmates:

We'd like to add our voices of sorrow to the many others in Irish and international music and theatre on the death of our friend. Philip had been living with cancer for some time. He was unique. We'll miss him terribly. Dublin town, and the world, just got smaller.

Many are posting tributes and stories to the Pogues forum. Our condolences to his friends and family.

Brian J. Peters of After the Fall (1984-2013)

After the Fall wrote us with the sad news that founding member Brian J. Peters passed away after a battle with cancer. Peters helped start the band and performed with them until 2005. His bandmates said this:

Today is an awful and sad day for us and friends and family of Brian. Brian was a founding member of after the fall and without him our band would not exist, he truly was an amazing person, and friend. And an inspiration to us all.

Our condolences to his friends and family.

Josh Burdette (1976-2013)

It's with a heavy heart to share that Josh Burdette, manager of Washington, DC's 9:30 Club and a DC icon, has passed at age 36. As Punknews community member Blades put it:

Any Punknews readers that grew up in the DC area in the 90s/00s or came through town as a touring act definitely knew who he was. Maybe they knew him on a personal level, maybe they watched him from a distance as he regulated crowds at the 9:30 Club and many other local concerts… but he made an impact on anyone that goes to concerts in this part of the country.

Chuck Ragan said of Burdette:

I've just learned that my buddy Josh Burdette has passed. Anyone who was blessed to know this incredible man knows that a strong pillar of kindness and positivity in our music community has fallen from the loss. He is missed. Celebrate his life my friends. I'm sorry for all his family, friends and coworkers who were close to him and are in pain right now. My heart goes out to you and I wish you all the best. RIP brother.

Frank Turner also stated:

Josh was a dear friend to me and to many in the punk world, and the world is a sadder, poorer place without him. I'm fucking gutted. RIP friend.

You can read the Washington Post obituary here.

Our deepest condolences go to Burdette's friends and families.

Chris Friedrich (Caspian)

Caspian have posted an update, informing fans that bass player Chris Friedrich unexpectedly passed away this past Sunday. The band write:

We have lost a close friend, a true brother, and a presence that can never be replaced in any of our lives. Chris epitomized the heart and soul of Caspian, and in our own ways -- both individually and collectively -- dedicate ourselves to honoring his memory.

Friedrich formed Caspian with guitarists Calvin Joss and Philip Jamieson, and drummer Joe Vickers in 2003, in Beverly, Massachusetts.

Our deepest condolences go out to his friends and family.

Jason Rosenthal (1978-2013)

Jason Rosenthal, who fronted both On The Might Of Princes and The Brass, has sadly passed away at the age of 35. Rosenthal suffered a heart attack in Austin, TX Monday night, where he had been living with his girlfriend.

Rosenthal was one of the progenitors of the Long Island post-hardcore scene with On The Might Of Princes, who released their final album Sirens in 2003 via Revelation Records. After OTMOP's breakup, he went on the front the Brass. OTMOP also reunited a couple of times, initially in the summer of 2008 and again for Revelation's 25th anniversary last year.

Our deepest condolences go out to Jason's friends, family and fans.

Torr Skoog (Kings of Nuthin')

Torr Skoog, singer for Boston'sThe Kings of Nuthin', passed away over the weekend. The details are scarce, but bandmate Zack Brines released a statement on the band's Facebook page:

As you may have heard we're mourning the loss of Torr Skoog, the best friend, bandmate, lifeline, and inspiration that anyone could hope to have. Our hearts go out to the Skoog family, the extended KON family, and friends everywhere who understand how lucky we all were to have him in our lives.

Punknews wishes the best to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Arturo Vega (1947-2013)

Arturo Vega, the artist responsible for designing the Ramones' instantly recognizable logo and the band's artistic director for 22 years, died Saturday. An announcement was made by Punk magazine co-founder and Please Kill Me author Legs McNeil on Facebook:

One of the best friends anyone could ever hope for. I knew and hung out with Arturo since 1976- 37 fucking years, if my math is correct- and if it weren't for Arturo- Joey and I would've starved to death in those early years. Artie was so fucking fun- he made every thing into an adventure. The world just became a much colder and lonelier place- as if it wasn't getting that way already. Fuck, I miss him so much already.

Vega was born in Chihuahua, Mexico and lived in a Bowery loft near CBGB prior to the Ramones' emergence. He was closely involved with the group throughout their career and in recent years emerged as one of the preeminent Ramones archivists.