Lou Reed appears before Velvet Underground

Lou Reed is about to release a single album containing his song lyrics from before his time with The Velvet Underground.

“Why Don't You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65,” out September 27, features songs he wrote for artists on Pickwick Records, including The Primitives' “The Ostrich,” on which he provided lead vocals.

The collection consists of four pages and is available for pre-order now via Light In The Attic.

Earlier this year, Keith Richards was among those featured on an album celebrating Reed's lasting influence.

Reed died of liver disease in October 2013 at the age of 71, and several of his friends and fans – including Keith, Rosanne Cash, Lucinda Williams, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Afghan Whigs, Bobby Rush, Maxim Ludwig and Angel Olsen, Mary Gauthier and Automatic – created “The Power Of The Heart: A Tribute To Lou Reed.”

Rolling Stone – which can be heard on the track “I'm Waiting for the Man” – described the musician as an extremely influential personality.

He said: “For me, Lou was something very special. The real deal!”

“[He was] important for American music and for all music! I miss him and his dog.”

Record producer Bill Bentley also has fond memories of the star.

He explained: “There are many moments when Lou Reed's soul still flows through me like a warm wind on a still day.

“Maybe it's a particular chord I hear, a word spoken in his distinctive New York accent, or even just a fleeting memory of his smile when he was happy, followed by a subdued cackle that assured him that all was well in Reed's world… His spirit is there, undiminished with a worldly, peaceful wisdom he never stopped searching for.”

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Tagged as: 60s, 70s, Alternative, Lou Reed, Punk, Rock, USA, Velvet Underground