Walk on the Wild Side

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed from his 1972 album Transformer, and Zoo Freaks, this track is packed with stories. The song, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson, was inspired by Nelson Algren’s 1956 novel A Walk on the Wild Side. Reed revealed in the 2001 documentary Classic Albums: Lou Reed: Transformer that he started writing it for a never-completed musical based on the novel but reshaped it to feature real-life characters from Andy Warhol’s Factory scene. These “superstars” include Holly Woodlawn, Candy Darling, Joe Dallesandro, Jackie Curtis, and Joe Campbell (nicknamed “Sugar Plum Fairy”). Its lyrics, touching on taboo topics like transgender identities, drugs, and sex work, made it a counterculture anthem, yet it still climbed to #16 on the U.S. charts in 1973 despite being edited for radio to remove an oral sex reference.

Another wild tidbit comes from the song’s iconic bassline, crafted by Herbie Flowers, who layered double bass and electric bass for that unforgettable groove. Flowers was paid just £17 for the session (about £300 today), a steal for one of rock’s most recognizable hooks. The baritone sax solo fading out the track was played by Ronnie Ross, who taught a young David Bowie how to play sax. Reed’s friend Jenni Muldaur, in a 2017 Guardian interview, defended the song against accusations of transphobia, saying, “Lou was open about his complete acceptance of all creatures of the night… That’s what that song’s about.” @BoyGeorge echoed this on X in 2019, calling it “seminal” and a “postcard from the exotic edge,” slamming critics as “absolute morons.” The song’s legacy endures, sampled by A Tribe Called Quest in their 1991 hit "Can I Kick It?" and covered by artists like Patty Pravo in Italian.

Lou Reed’s journey to becoming a rock legend started in Freeport, Long Island, where he was born in 1942. As a teen, he was drawn to music, playing in local bands and soaking up influences from doo-wop, jazz, and rock. His parents, alarmed by his rebellious streak and mental health struggles, subjected him to electroshock therapy at 17 to curb his “homosexual tendencies,” an experience that scarred him and later inspired his 1974 song "Kill Your Sons". At Syracuse University, Reed studied under poet Delmore Schwartz, who shaped his lyrical style. After graduating, he worked as a songwriter for Pickwick Records, churning out pop tunes before forming The Velvet Underground in 1964 with John Cale. The band’s raw sound and provocative lyrics, championed by Andy Warhol, laid the groundwork for punk and alternative rock, though commercial success eluded them.

After leaving The Velvet Underground in 1970, Reed went solo, signing with RCA Records. His debut album, Lou Reed, flopped, but Transformer, with Bowie and Ronson’s glam-rock sheen, made him a star. Reed’s career spanned 20 solo albums, from the dark concept album Berlin to the critically lauded New York, cementing his influence. He passed away in 2013, but his work lives on through his official website, loureed.com, where fans can explore his discography and legacy. His official Facebook and Instagram accounts share archival photos and updates, while the X account posts tributes and news.

Fans keep Reed’s spirit alive online. The Lou Reed Fan Club on Facebook is a vibrant community where Zoo Freaks can swap stories and rare tracks. Another group, Lou Reed – The Velvet Underground, dives into his entire career with photos and discussions. For deeper dives, loureed.it offers a fan-curated archive of interviews, lyrics, and bootlegs, while velvetundergroundmusic.com celebrates Reed’s Velvet Underground roots with essays and memorabilia. These spaces are perfect for Zoo Freaks to connect and celebrate the wild side of Lou Reed’s legacy.