Music Icon Lou Reed Dies Aged 71

One of rock'n'roll's true innovators, Lou Reed has died at the age of 71.

A member of '60s pioneers the Velvet Underground, Reed died on Sunday in his New York home. He had had a liver transplant earlier this year to combat liver disease, which was ultimately the cause of his death.

While the band he made his name with enjoyed cult-devotion, and enjoyed ongoing admiration if the decades following, his solo career was hugely polarising. Often setting out to challenge and alienate his listeners, his final album, 2011's divisive Metallica collaboration Lulu, embodied Reed's outlook.

In 2010 Reed was in Australia with Laurie Anderson to curate the Vivid Live program.

Thank you, Lou Reed. Out heart goes out to your Laurie. You changed the world a little bit. Vale. http://t.co/LqPrmRf5LU

— Clare Bowditch (@ClareBowditch) October 27, 2013

R.I.P. Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side.

— The Who (@TheWho) October 27, 2013

Stoked I got to chat to Lou Reed in my lifetime (he doesn't look quite as stoked...) RIP http://t.co/pa03LXwBow pic.twitter.com/DFdpphugn5

— Lindsay McDougall (@Doctortriplej) October 27, 2013

R.I.P Lou Reed - VU was a big influence when weezer was being formed, and Ric Ocasek told us cool stories of his friendship with him.

— weezer (@Weezer) October 27, 2013

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.

— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) October 27, 2013