Culture

SU alumnus Lou Reed to be inducted in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Courtesy of SU Archives

Lou Reed (center) plays in front of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity house in 1961 or 1962. Reed, an influential music legend, developed much of his musical style while a student at Syracuse University.

Lou Reed, a 1964 Syracuse University alumnus, will be honored posthumously as one of the 2015 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the museum announced Tuesday. The induction ceremony will take place at Cleveland’s Public Hall on April 18, 2015.

Reed, who died in 2013 at the age of 71, studied poetry and journalism while at SU. He was the frontman for his band, L.A. and the Eldorados, during his college years.

L.A. and the Eldorados played all around central New York, including regular shows at Cornell and Colgate universities. On campus, the band made money by playing at fraternity parties.

After graduating from SU, Reed returned to New York City, where he grew up. He formed the band Velvet Underground and became its lead singer and songwriter. His talent eventually gave him the name “the Godfather of Punk.”

Reed eventually left Velvet Underground and went to a recluse for two years before moving to England and starting a solo career in 1972. His solo work continued the intensity of his work with Velvet Underground, and Reed went on to become one of the central figures of rock and roll.



The other 2015 inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame include Green Day, Joan Jett, the Blackhearts and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Ringo Starr and the 1950s group the “5” Royales will be given the Award for Musical Excellence and the Early Influence Award, respectively.





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