Short Synopsis
A tremendously insightful biography of the man who helmed the Velvet Underground and single-handedly created alternative rock.

Full Synopsis
This book not only covers the highlights of Lou Reed's career, but explores lesser-known facets of his work, such as his first recordings with doo-wop group the Jades, his key literary influences, the impact of Judaism upon his work, and his engagement with the LGBT movement. Drawing from original interviews with many of his artistic collaborators, friends, and romantic partners, as well as from archival material, concert footage, and unreleased bootlegs of live performances, Dirty Blvd. exposes the man behind the myth, the notoriously uncompromising rock poet who wrote songs that transcended their genre and established himself as one of the most influential and enigmatic American artists of the past half century.

"Aidan Levy shines a light into unexamined corners of this singular life and enlarges our sense of his subject's spiky unforgettable character." ---Peter Blauner, author of Slipping into Darkness

"A startling, beautiful and defiant literary debut." ---Stephen Molton, author of Brave Talk

"Tom Perkins's smooth, clear narration does a good job of holding listeners' interest." ---Library Journal Audio Review

"[T]his study is about as close to a must-read book on Reed as one can get." ---Library Journal

"A valuable study of Reed, further cementing his totemic influence as the high priest of art rock." ---Kirkus

"Levy has produced an informative and insightful look at a rock star and songwriter whose work always cut a little deeper than that of his peers." ---Booklist