Rock & Roll Scholars Visit the Lou Reed Archive

By Dr. Marzoni
 

Freshmen and sophomores in my Scholars class, History of Rock & Roll, visited Lou Reed: Caught Between the Twisted Stars, an exhibition celebrating the legendary career of the Velvet Underground frontman and lifelong New Yorker at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in Lincoln Center. In addition to handwritten song lyrics, Reed’s personal record collection, and several of his guitars, students got to see many other oddities from the archive, which was acquired by the library following his death in 2013: his diploma from Syracuse University (where he majored in English), a wall of televisions playing interviews and performances on loop, his full astrological chart, pairs of his own brand of signature eyewear (“Lou’s Views”), a sweater vest knit by a fan, hundreds of photographs, concert posters, and more.