An admitted hard drinker and drug user for many years, the New York City born and bred died at his Long Island home, following complications from a liver transplant earlier this year in Cleveland.

After graduating in 1964, Lou took a job as a songwriter for Pickwick Records, where he scored a minor hit as part of The Primitives with the dance parody The Ostrich, featuring Walter De Maria on drums.

During that recording process he met John Cale. The duo eventually formed the Velvet Underground with Maureen Tucker on drums.

The Velvet Underground has long been recognized as a major musical inspiration for punk art and rock, as reflected in a quote often attributed to musician Brian Eno:

"The first Velvet Underground album only sold 30,000 copies in the first five years, but everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band."

In 1970, Lou left the group for a long solo career.

The eclectic music legend was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of the Velvet Underground, in 1996.

In 2011 Lou collaborated with drummer Lars Ulrich and the rest of Metallica on the album 'Lulu'.

Neil Portnow, president the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which bestows the Grammys, credits Lou Reed by stating:

"His uniquely stripped-down style of guitar playing and poetic lyrics have had a massive influence across many rock genres, including punk and alternatives."

Velvet Underground's drummer Maureen Tucker says:

"Lou Reed influenced probably millions of people into maybe reading more, into playing music. When I have been on tour, there have been kids from 15 years old to 60 years old commenting on how they were influenced by Lou and the Velvets."

Lou Reed is survived by his wife, the musician and performance artist Laurie Anderson.