Lou Reed’s last interview: Words of wisdom
Alejandro De Luna
Today is Record Store Day and luckily, I’ve picked up a copy of ‘Ecstasy’, Lou Reed’s fantastic LP from 2000 that has been re-released as a RSD exclusive and made widely available on vinyl for the first time. The record is one of Lou Reed’s greatest works. It is a moving and emotionally-driven record. The pressing sounds terrific and confirm that ‘Tatters’ is up there with other gems from Lou’s genius catalog.
Today I’ve been going through my Velvet and Lou Reed collection and wanted more so I started watching live videos and interviews and came across Lou Reed’s last interview that took place in September 21th, 2013 in NYC. The interviewer was Farida Khelfa and after listening to the interview, I just needed to compile all these quotes. Wisdom, truth and humour stayed with Lou till the very end of his extraordinary life. He gave us so much.
Thank you Lou.
Here it is:
You do what you like or you get arrested.
My Father didn’t give me shit.
In rock ‘n’ roll you only need 3 chords.
I play from the heart.
If you don’t have the bass is like being amputated, it’s like you have no legs.
Most headphones is like you have no legs.
One song, 12″ vinyl now you have bass.
I’m very emotionally affected by sound. Sound for me is like a dress for you.
Sounds are the inexplicable, sound is like light. What is light? What is sound?
What is sound? sound is more than just noise and ordered sound is music.
Ordered sound is music. My life is music.
The first memory of sounds would have to be your mother’s heartbeat.
And here is the full interview and a live rendition of ‘Tatters’.
Thank you Lou.
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