Lou Reed Dead at Age 71 / No Cause of Death Confirmed for Late 'Velvet Underground' Singer

Lou Reed is officially dead at age 71. The Velvet Underground musician died hours ago according to his publicist. His cause of death is still unconfirmed. The New York rocker did however have a liver transplant in May 2013.

Reed has been on record saying his musical pursuit was to "write the Great American novel in the form of a record album."

Though he only had one major pop radio hit in "Walk on the Wild Side" in 1973, he's been cited as a major influences with some of the most iconic artists in Rock N' Roll including R.E.M. and David Bowie, who produced the single that reached # 16 on the national charts.

Reed joined Bruce Springsteen and James Taylor on stage for a Paul Simon benefit concert in 1986 for a rendition of Dion's "Teenager in Love."

"These guys couldn't wait to do it," Dion said later. "They all grew up in the '50s wanting to be the Belmonts."

Reed made the move to New York in 1964 after graduation and broke into the music industry as a songwriter for Pickwick Records. While working for the label, Reed meet future Velvets bandmate John Cale, a Welsh musician. With the addition of Sterling Morrison and Maureen Tucker, the group went on to become one of the most honest and celebrated rock bands of the late 60s.

Though the band was short lived due to creative differences and substance abuse, The Velvet Underground carved out it's own space in Rock N' Roll history with little mainstream appeal.

Lou Reed was inducted in the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Velvet Underground.