“People talk of situations, read books, repeat quotations.”
—Bob Dylan, “Love Minus Zero/No Limit”

Join Bob Dylan Center Director Steven Jenkins for an online discussion with music journalist Will Hermes about his best-selling biography “Lou Reed: The King of New York,” which traces the brilliant rock ‘n’ roll iconoclast’s fearless creative journey from the avant-garde sounds of The Velvet Underground through walks on the wild side of nonbinary sexuality and gender identity to collaborations with Andy Warhol, David Bowie and Laurie Anderson. Hermes offers the definitive narrative of Reed’s life and legacy, his poetic gifts as a singer-songwriter-provocateur and his enduring influence as a fiercely committed artist in pursuit of beauty and noise.

Will Hermes is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, a longtime contributor to NPR’s All Things Considered and the New York Times, and author of “Love Goes to Buildings on Fire.” “Lou Reed: The King of New York” was named one of Pitchfork’s ten best music books of 2023, a Variety best music book of the year and a Kirkus Review best nonfiction book of 2023.

Zoom in for this virtual chat as Hermes reads Reed and fields questions from Jenkins and attendees.

“There have been many biographies of Lou Reed, but Will Hermes has written the definitive life … He has brought to the assignment a sharp eye, a clear head, a lucid prose style, and a determination to let Lou be Lou, without judgment.”

—Lucy Sante, contributor to “Bob Dylan: Mixing Up the Medicine” and author of “Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York”

“No matter how well you know the man and his music, there’s so much more to him that’s never been revealed until now. This book has the menace and allure of Reed’s finest work—a fascinating, addictive, head-expanding rush into the unknown.”

—Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone

Details

Virtual event

Thursday, March 21, 2024

6 p.m. CT

Tickets

$5 non-members

Free for Bob Dylan Center members