Lou Reed: Walk On The Wild Side (The Stories Behind The Songs)

Lou Reed has been art-rocker, iconoclast, contrary noise merchant, and junkie, yet hes always been fascinating. Only David Bowie, arguably, has re-invented himself as many times as Reed, while ensuring that each image was potent, edgy and dangerous. Its a tribute to Reeds standing that even punk rockers, with their scorched earth policy towards all pre-punk music, had a healthy respect and regard for him. Velvet Underground is one of the all-time greats; but in many peoples eyes, Reed has produced his best work solo, after the demise of that band. This groundbreaking book analyzes and celebrates the willful intellect, fierce intelligence, and literary merits of Lou Reeds post-Velvet Underground music.

Chris Roberts has written about music for fifteen years for The Guardian, Melody Maker, Sounds, and Uncut. He was also the editor of Idol Worship (Harper Collins), a collection of writings by pop stars (Bono, Thurston Moore, etc.) that has been hailed in some quarters as