The biggest mistake our generation can make is to write off Lou Reed as any other dusty figure from our father’s record collection. Instead, decease Mick Rock picked out the right word in his open letter responding to his friend’s death; a gladiator.

It’s hard to fully comprehend the innovation that exists in his early recordings. Truly there is a clash of cultures that greets us with every listen of “Waiting for the Man” or “Sunday Morning, viagra sale ” whether we notice it or not. Reed was unafraid to highlight a lifestyle that desperately needed representation. He spoke for the lost, medicine the wild, the angry, and the lonely when no one else was brave enough to. Stylistically he was a wild card, incorporating and celebrating not only several modes of music making, but also pure noise. He experimented with the mechanics of his instruments in ways that were extremely outlandish for their time, with projects like Metal Machine Music, and his famous Ostrich guitar tuning.

Looking at Reed, we see not a person who was content performing to the expectations of modern music, but a man who was brave enough to defy and eventually exceed them.

It’s true that the Velvet Underground never sold as many records as other big name bands of their time, but their influence speaks louder than any statistic ever could. Innumerable musicians, including Brian Eno and Morrissey and writers like Neil Gaiman have taken time this week to publicly speak about Reed’s impact on their lives, and the list goes on. There are countless rock stars who wouldn’t have picked up a guitar if not for Lou Reed. But I think the most incredible thing is all the kids who haven’t started making music, kids who maybe tomorrow, maybe the day after will stumble onto one of his records, listen to it, and feel the need to make music themselves. It’s rare that we find a musician like Reed, who is responsible for so much incredible work, but is also responsible for things yet to come.

Few artists work with such a long list of geniuses, with such vigor and determination. Few people inspire those around them to push themselves and do something great. It’s impossible to accurately sum him up in one article, and it feels disrespectful to even try.

I never met Lou Reed. I don’t know him personally, but I do know that when I was fifteen and got my first guitar, “Heroin” was the first song that I learned.

I know that even though I figured out every note, it didn’t sound right.

I know it’s because Lou brought something to every one of his projects that was indescribable.

Something that cannot be mimicked or faked.

Something that we will dearly miss.