Lou Reed: R.I.P. "Dime Store Mystery" Recording

Lou Reed lead singer of the Velvet Underground,  chronicler of life's wilder, seamier and more desperate side and one of the most influential and distinctive songwriters of his generation, has died at the age of 71. He had been suffering from liver failure and received a transplant earlier this year. See Tributes from Musicians and writers below.

Lou Reed loved the classics: Chandler, Hammett...and others.

Lou Reed: Dime Store Mystery from the New York Album

From the Guardian: Tributes from musicians and writers that have appeared on social media.

David Bowie said on his Facebook page: "He was a master."
Iggy Pop called it "devastating news".
Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth wrote: "So sorry to hear of Lou Reed's passing this is a huge shock!" The chef and author Anthony Bourdain quoted the Velvet Underground's song Sweet Jane: "'Heavenly wine and roses … seem to whisper to me … when you smile' … RIP Lou Reed."
Lloyd Cole wrote: "Without Lou there is no Bowie as we know him. Me? I'd probably be a maths teacher."
Ryan Adams said only: "Lou Reed."
Nile Rodgers of the funk band Chic tweeted: "Lou Reed, RIP I did the Jools Holland show with him last year and we yucked it up. I didn't know he was ill."
The writer Salman Rushdie opted to commemorate the singer in a message heavy with references to his songs: "My friend Lou Reed came to the end of his song. So very sad. But hey, Lou, you'll always take a walk on the wild side. Always a perfect day."

Lou Reed: R.I.P.