Lou Reed Archives Acquired By New York Public Library

New York Public Library

LAURIE ANDERSON and the NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS announced on what would have been LOU REED's 75th birthday that his complete archives have been acquired. The LIBRARY will also host free displays and public programs over the next two weeks to celebrate and showcase REED's life and work, and his collection's new home at NYPL.

The LOU REED ARCHIVE measures approximately 300 linear feet of paper records, electronic records, and photographs, and approximately 3,600 audio and 1,300 video recordings, documenting the history of his life as a musician, composer, poet, writer, photographer, and tai-chi student through his own extensive papers, photographs, recordings and other collections of materials.

The ARCHIVE spans REED’s creative life -- from his 1958 FREEPORT HIGH SCHOOL band, THE SHADES, his job as a staff songwriter for the budget music label, PICKWICK RECORDS, and his rise to prominence through the VELVET UNDERGROUND and subsequent solo career, to his final performances in 2013. The collection comprises studio notes, galleys and proofs, master and unreleased recordings, business papers, personal correspondence, poster art, fan gifts, rare printed material and Reed’s substantial photography collection.

LAURIE ANDERSON initiated and guided the formation of the LOU REED ARCHIVE. Independent archivist DON FLEMING (who also works on the ALAN LOMAX, HUNTER S. THOMPSON, KEN KESEY collections) oversaw the acquisition and worked with REED’s two archivists, JASON STERM and JIM CASS, to create a detailed catalog of the extensive materials, most having been in storage for decades. Keeping the archive together and in NEW YORK were primary goals of finding the best institution to care for REED’s collected works. 

Said ANDERSON: "The archive is a panoramic picture of LOU’s music, pictures, friendships, writing, tai chi and performances as well as a recreation of the scenes and cities he worked in and loved. What better place to have this than in the heart of the city he loved the best? It takes a while to see a life as a whole and now that the first step of the archive is complete we can step back and begin to see some dazzling new patterns in the work LOU made in his long and intense life as an artist. My archive team assembled and organized the things he left. In the process they found some real treasures. Being part of this assembly has been one of the most intense experiences of my life. His many worlds are brought back to life in this marvelous work. My dream has always been to make LOU’s work completely accessible to the public. You don't have to have any special credentials."

Added the LIBRARY's JACQUELINE Z. DAVIS: "The LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS is truly honored to welcome LOU REED's archive into our collections. He was a singular talent, and an icon of NEW YORK's music scene. His papers and recordings will not only complement and greatly expand our offerings, but also open new opportunities for researchers, students, and music lovers to enjoy and learn from his life and work."  

The public celebrations of REED's birthday and collections begin today at both the LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS and STEPHEN A. SCHWARZMAN BUILDING.. At the top of every hour throughout the day, the LIBRARY will play an excerpt of a different REED recording in its CAFE. Displays of Ephemera also open today through MARCH 20th. These displays present a selection of personal artifacts, notebooks, correspondence, and other materials to the public for the first time ever.

The celebration continues at two special public events: a performance of "The Raven" and REED's poetry at the LIBRARY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS on MARCH 13th, and a performance of "Drones" at the SCHWARZMAN BUILDING on MARCH 15th. Both events are free and open to the public, but advance registration is required. Go here for more details. 

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