Lou Reed and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame

Lou Reed died today.

What can and will be said about him, his music and career will be written by many others more eloquently than myself, so instead I just wanted to share a little bit of Lou's connection to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame where he has already been inducted as part of the Velvet Underground.  I expect that sadly, because of his passing, he will now mostly likely get inducted as a solo artist in next year's round of nominees.

January 12, 1995: Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City

Lou inducts Frank Zappa into the Hall of fame.

September 2, 1995: The Concert For the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Ohio

The Rock Hall finally opens and they throw a helluva party at the stadium in Cleveland.  Iggy Pop, backed by Soul Asylum, performs his tribute to The Doors with "Back Door Man." At the songs end, he introduces Lou before leaving the stage.  Soul Asylum continue as backing band as Lou performs "Sweet Jane." Lou dedicates it to Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison who passed away two days earlier on August 30, 1995.

January 17, 1996: Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City

While eligible since 1992, The Velvet Underground are inducted with the 1996 class which includes Pink Floyd, David Bowie (possibly the biggest VU fan around), Gladys Knight and the Pips, Jefferson Airplane, Little Willie John, The Shirelles in the "Performers" category.

Patti Smith inducted the band:

Lou, Maureen Tucker, John Cale and Sterling Morrison's widow short acceptance speech calling out how much this induction would have meant to Sterling:

Lou, John and Moe perform "Last Night I Said Goodbye to My Friend" for Sterling:

October 30, 2009: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Concert, New York City

A two night extravaganza at Madison Square Garden.  Metallica, inducted earlier that year, bring out Lou for a run through "Sweet Jane" and "White Light/White Heat".  This would lead to Metallica and Lou Reed working on the album "Lulu" which would be released almost exactly two years later on October 31, 2011.  "Lulu" would be Lou's final studio album.

Watch Metallica with Lou on "Sweet Jane" (Pro-shot video below).  They followed it up with "White Light/White Heat" (It does not appear the pro-shot version of this is on Youtube.  This is the best quality audience shot version I could find here although it is cut)

Which sadly bring us to today.  Looking at the Rock Hall's track record, especially in regards to the Velvet Underground's induction after Sterling Morrison's passing - they tend to react after the fact when they realize they missed an induction that perhaps should have happened when the artist was alive.  I think next year we will see Lou inducted as a solo artist.  It looks like Lou believed in the Rock n Roll Hall and there's no question he simply believed in the power of music and rock n roll - I do hope he does get his second induction as any chance to celebrate his music is time spent in a worthwhile manner. 

R.I.P. Mr. Reed.