Holly Woodlawn has died of cancer at the age of 69.
The Puerto-Rico born transgender actress inspired Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side and appeared in Andy Warhol’s 70s movies Trash and Women in Revolt.
Lou Reed’s opening lyrics read: “Holly came from Miami, F-L-A / Hitchhiked her way across the USA / Plucked her eyebrows on the way / Shaved her legs, and then he was a she.”
Holly Woodlawn died on December 6 in Los Angeles, her friend Mariela Huerta said.
A memorial service is expected to be held in the city.
Holly Woodlawn, born Haroldo Santiago Franceschi Rodriguez Danhakl, took on her new name after leaving home aged 15 and hitchhiking to New York City.
Photo Flickr
She told the Guardian in 2007 of her brief fame after appearing in Warhol’s films: “I was very happy when I gradually became a Warhol superstar. I felt like Elizabeth Taylor!
“Little did I realize that not only would there be no money, but that your star would flicker for two seconds and that was it. But it was worth it, the drugs, the parties, it was fabulous.”
Holly Woodlawn also explained that she did not get to know Lou Reed properly until after the song’s 1972 release.
Despite receiving critical acclaim for her film work, she did not find mainstream success.
Holly Woodlawn also appeared in 90s independent movies Twin Falls Idaho and Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss, as well as the Golden Globe-winning series Transparent, about the father of an LA family who comes out as transgender.
Joe Dallesandro, who starred in Trash, tweeted on December 6: “Holly Woodlawn was in Room 306 when I arrived to see her today. At 3:06pm LA time, she passed away.”
He also said on Facebook that he had visited in her in a hospice, adding: “I was next to her talking and telling her all the love that was being sent her way from everyone. It was like she knew I was there.”
They played a couple in Trash, produced by Andy Warhol and directed by Paul Morrissey, living in the fringes of New York’s East Village, scrounging for food and drugs.
According to Mariela Huerta, Holly Woodlawn, who had been battling brain and liver cancer, had no surviving relatives.
Lou Reed has been remembered by fans and family at a music-rich public memorial on the streets of New York.
Billed as a “simple celebration”, the event saw fans dance to Lou Reed’s hits which were played over loudspeakers.
Lou Reed’s widow, performance artist Laurie Anderson, greeted well-wishers as they enjoyed the music.
The former Velvet Underground frontman died on October 27 after complications from a liver transplant.
The memorial was previewed on Lou Reed’s Facebook page as a gathering with “no speeches, no live performances, just Lou’s voice, guitar music and songs – playing the recordings selected by his family and friends.”
Lou Reed has been remembered by fans and family at a music-rich public memorial on the streets of New York
Lou Reed’s hits could be heard for three hours on Thursday across the plaza next to the city’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and featured many high points of his long career.
His music frequently made reference to New York.
Known for tracks including Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side, Lou Reed was considered one of the most influential singers and songwriters in rock.
The Velvet Underground became renowned for their fusion of art and music and for collaborating with Andy Warhol.
As a solo artist, Lou Reed released 20 studio albums. His last, Hudson River Wind Meditations, was released in 2007.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that long-serving Rolling Stone magazine music critic and writer Anthony DeCurtis is to write a biography of Lou Reed.
Billed as the “inside story” of Lou Reed’s life, the Little, Brown and Co book is untitled and has yet be assigned a publication date.
Lou Reed, who died after complications from a liver transplant on October 27, has left his estate to his wife and other relatives, his will has revealed.
The former Velvet Underground frontman left his Manhattan penthouse, his home in East Hampton, New York, and the bulk of his estate to his wife, musician Laurie Anderson.
Lou Reed’s sister inherited about a quarter of his estate and a $500,000 bequest to care for their mother.
Lou Reed was 71 and had no children.
Lou Reed has left his estate to his wife and other relatives
The rocker married long-time partner Laurie Anderson in 2008.
The Velvet Underground became renowned for their fusion of art and music and for collaborating with Andy Warhol.
Although the band never achieved commercial success during the 1960s, their influence on music in later decades was widely recognized.
The glam, punk and alternative rock movements of the 1970s, 80s and 90s were all indebted to Reed, whose songs were covered by the likes of REM, Bowie, Nirvana, Patti Smith and countless others.
After quitting The Velvet Underground in 1970, Lou Reed released his self-titled debut in 1972, but it wasn’t until the Bowie-produced LP Transformer later that year that he achieved chart success.
Perfect Day enjoyed a revival in 1996 when it was featured in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting..
As a solo artist, Lou Reed released 20 studio albums. His last, Hudson River Wind Meditations, was released in 2007.
David Bowie has led the tributes to former Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed, who died on Sunday aged 71.
David Bowie’s Facebook page said of his “old friend”, considered one of the most influential singers and songwriters in rock: “He was a master.”
Lou Reed’s second solo album Transformer, featuring Perfect Day and Walk on the Wild Side, was co-produced by David Bowie.
The singer’s literary agent said Lou Reed died of a “liver-related ailment”.
The last tweet posted on Lou Reed’s official Twitter account, hours before the news of his death, simply stated: “The Door”.
The tweet links through to a photograph of a door, with a poster of Lou Reed on it and the words “Papa Loves Baby” scrawled underneath.
Lou Reed’s former Velvet Underground bandmate John Cale wrote on his website: “The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet… I’ve lost my <<school-yard buddy>>.”
Other stars paying tribute included The Who, who tweeted: “RIP Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side.”
Iggy Pop said it was “devastating news”.
An admitted hard drinker and drug user for many years, Lou Reed had a liver transplant this May after suffering liver failure.
“I am a triumph of modern medicine,” Lou Reed posted on his website on June 1st.
But his literary agent Andrew Wylie said the musician, who died at his home in Long Island, New York, on Sunday morning, had not been well “for a few months”.
Many musicians paid homage to the influence Lou Reed had on their own careers.
Nikki Sixx of heavy metal band Motley Crue tweeted: “RIP Lou Reed. Thank you for your beautiful/dark lyrics/music and stance on life. You inspired me from my teenage years right up till today.”
Cyndi Lauper added that she was grateful for “his music and the influence he had on my music”.
Lou Reed’s literary agent said the singer died of a liver-related ailment
Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave, said: “My intro to Lou Reed/Velvet Underground was Jane’s Addiction cover of ‘Rock n Roll’. He was a singular, unique talent. RIP Lou and thanks.”
Lou Reed’s individuality was also hailed by Paul Stanley of Kiss, who called him “a musician, artist and trailblazer who played by his own rules”.
The Velvet Underground became renowned for their fusion of art and music and for collaborating with Andy Warhol.
However, the Velvet Underground never achieved commercial success during their 1960s existence, but their influence on music in later decades was widely recognised.
The glam, punk and alternative rock movements of the 1970s, 80s and 90s were all indebted to Lou Reed, whose songs were covered by the likes of REM, Bowie, Nirvana, Patti Smith and countless others.
Music producer Brian Eno once summed up their influence by saying: “The first Velvet Underground album only sold 10,000 copies, but everyone who bought it formed a band.”
The group were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
Mia Farrow, whose career also began in the 1960s, simply said: “Deepest Gratitude Lou Reed. Peace. “
Whoopi Goldberg also paid tribute, saying: “The great & amazing Lou Reed has died my condolences 2 his wife Laurie Anderson. Lou was 1 of a kind & this colored girl still says dededede…”.
After quitting The Velvet Underground in 1970, Lou Reed released his self-titled debut in 1972, but it wasn’t until the Bowie-produced LP Transformer later that year that he achieved chart success.
Perfect Day enjoyed a revival in 1996 when it was featured in Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting.
As a solo artist, Lou Reed released 20 studio albums. His last, Hudson River Wind Meditations, was released in 2007.
Lou Reed is survived by his second wife, the musician and performing artist Laurie Anderson.
Velvet Underground frontman and songwriter Lou Reed has died at the age of 71.
Lou Reed, whose best-known hits included Perfect Day and Walk On The Wild Side, was considered one of the most influential in rock music.
The Velvet Underground became known for their fusion of art and music and collaborating with Andy Warhol.
Lou Reed’s cause of death is unknown, but a statement would be released shortly.
Lou Reed, whose best-known hits included Perfect Day and Walk On The Wild Side, was considered one of the most influential in rock music
An admitted hard drinker and drug user for many years, Lou Reed underwent a liver transplant in May this year after he had cancelled five California concert dates scheduled in April.
“I am a triumph of modern medicine,” Lou Reed posted on his website on June 1st.
“I look forward to being on stage performing, and writing more songs to connect with your hearts and spirits and the universe well into the future.”
The Velvet Underground never achieved much commercial success, but revolutionized rock and punk in the 1960s and ’70s and their popularity grew in the subsequent decades.
The band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
[youtube QYEC4TZsy-Y 650]
This website has updated its privacy policy in compliance with EU GDPR 2016/679. Please read this to review the updates about which personal data we collect on our site. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our updated policy. AcceptRejectRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
