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The Last Interview
Lou Reed: The Last Interview and Other Conversations
A revealing collection of interviews with one of the greatest artists in the history of rock ’n’ roll—as brilliant, punchy, and blustery as the man himself
In this collection of powerful interviews given over thirty years—including his final interview—Lou Reed oscillates between losing patience with his interviewers (he was famous for walking out on them) and sharing profound observations on the human experience, especially as he reflects on poetry and novels, the joy of live performances, and the power of sound. In conversation with legendary rock critics and authors he respected, Reed’s interviews are as pithy and brilliant as the man himself.
In this collection of powerful interviews given over thirty years—including his final interview—Lou Reed oscillates between losing patience with his interviewers (he was famous for walking out on them) and sharing profound observations on the human experience, especially as he reflects on poetry and novels, the joy of live performances, and the power of sound. In conversation with legendary rock critics and authors he respected, Reed’s interviews are as pithy and brilliant as the man himself.
- GenresMusicNonfictionBiography
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 27, 2015
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About the author
Lou Reed
113 books84 followersLou Reed was an influential American rock singer-songwriter and guitarist. He first came to prominence as the guitarist and principal singer-songwriter of The Velvet Underground (1965-1973). The band gained little mainstream attention during their career, but in hindsight became one of the most influential of their era. As the Velvets’ principal songwriter, Reed wrote about subjects of personal experience that rarely had been examined in rock and roll, including bondage and S&M ("Venus in Furs"), transvestites ("Sister Ray" and "Candy Says"), drug culture ("Heroin" and "I'm Waiting for the Man"), and transsexuals undergoing surgery ("Lady Godiva's Operation"). As a guitarist, he was a pioneer in the use of distortion, high volume feedback, and nonstandard tunings.
Reed began a long and eclectic solo career in 1971. He had a hit the following year with "Walk on the Wild Side", though for more than a decade Reed seemed to willfully evade the mainstream commercial success its chart status offered him. One of rock's most volatile personalities, Reed's work as a solo artist has frustrated critics wishing for a return of The Velvet Underground. The most notable example is 1975's infamous double LP of recorded feedback loops, Metal Machine Music, upon which Reed later commented, "no one is supposed to be able to do a thing like that and survive." By the late 1980s, however, Reed had won wide recognition as an elder statesman of rock.
Reed began a long and eclectic solo career in 1971. He had a hit the following year with "Walk on the Wild Side", though for more than a decade Reed seemed to willfully evade the mainstream commercial success its chart status offered him. One of rock's most volatile personalities, Reed's work as a solo artist has frustrated critics wishing for a return of The Velvet Underground. The most notable example is 1975's infamous double LP of recorded feedback loops, Metal Machine Music, upon which Reed later commented, "no one is supposed to be able to do a thing like that and survive." By the late 1980s, however, Reed had won wide recognition as an elder statesman of rock.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 10, 2016
This book has 6 interviews: with Lester Bangs (3/75), David Fricke (5/89), Neil Gaiman (7/92), Paul Auster (4/96), David Marchese (2008), Farida Khelfa (11/2013).
The one with Lester Bangs is pretty funny, because they were both high/drunk Bangs prose is quite annoying but you can sort of see the two of them bitching.
Fricke's interview is about the Velvets and New York (the album).
Gaiman's and Auster's are the best, because they really connect with him. They knew what they were talking about and who they were talking to. Plus, Lou definitely respected Auster's work and probably knew Gaiman's Sandman. Gaiman talks about Reed's often under-appreciated records from the 80s, as well as writing. A great chat. With Auster they talk about their beginnings, life as an artist ("the price you pay for freedom is struggle") and Blue In The Face.
With Khelfa he talks about sound.
One theme that emerges in this book is research: do your homework before you do something. From drugs discussions with Bangs ("You don't know what you're doing, you haven't done any research") to the vitriol with the unprepared Marchese, Lou shows how he internalized one of Warhol's mantras. I miss him a lot.
The one with Lester Bangs is pretty funny, because they were both high/drunk Bangs prose is quite annoying but you can sort of see the two of them bitching.
Fricke's interview is about the Velvets and New York (the album).
Gaiman's and Auster's are the best, because they really connect with him. They knew what they were talking about and who they were talking to. Plus, Lou definitely respected Auster's work and probably knew Gaiman's Sandman. Gaiman talks about Reed's often under-appreciated records from the 80s, as well as writing. A great chat. With Auster they talk about their beginnings, life as an artist ("the price you pay for freedom is struggle") and Blue In The Face.
With Khelfa he talks about sound.
One theme that emerges in this book is research: do your homework before you do something. From drugs discussions with Bangs ("You don't know what you're doing, you haven't done any research") to the vitriol with the unprepared Marchese, Lou shows how he internalized one of Warhol's mantras. I miss him a lot.
February 12, 2016
Worth a read if you're a fan of Lou Reed. Possibly worth a read if you're fans of the interviewers, too, unless you like Marchese. Then again his questions actually did deserve some of the sneering hatred Reed gave them.
May 31, 2023
What a dick! I LOLed and some of the best pieces came from the Auster interview, I recco if you like “sound” (his words not mine) and Lou.
January 2, 2017
Lou is a tough cookie... but he's cool.
February 29, 2024
i found this selection of interviews really good. they spanned enough time to have a bit of a character narrative going, they showcased the best (and worst) of lou's wit and rigour. i found the 70s interview to be just brilliant; what a character, what a difficult character. the following one, as well as the auster interview, were genuine gifts to read. in auster's interview particularly, you see both him and lou's genuine love and respect for art, and a camaraderie that let lou give the whiplash defensive guard dog thing in him a rest. gaiman's suffers from what a lot of gaiman writing suffers -- an overcentring of himself -- but still proves a really good read. the last two seem pathetic in comparison to the first four interviews in the book. they're shorter, the questions less intelligent and specific. however, in the last, once lou gets past the one sentence answers and gets to actually talk, what he has to say is wonderful.
reading them in chronological order made me think about a few things, of course, lou's reluctantly softening temperament over time, but also the changing state of music journalism. in the 70s and early 80s, good music journalists were witty, wittier than the musicians. they were fucking sharp, able to keep up, and their pieces had voice, underground appeal. as time went the voices of journalists were flattened, the humour gone, the individualism gone, the wit utterly gone. they write like news reporters, not like writers. it's sad, and interesting, and this book was a good microcosm to view it through.
reading them in chronological order made me think about a few things, of course, lou's reluctantly softening temperament over time, but also the changing state of music journalism. in the 70s and early 80s, good music journalists were witty, wittier than the musicians. they were fucking sharp, able to keep up, and their pieces had voice, underground appeal. as time went the voices of journalists were flattened, the humour gone, the individualism gone, the wit utterly gone. they write like news reporters, not like writers. it's sad, and interesting, and this book was a good microcosm to view it through.
September 2, 2018
Some great interviews that show Lou’s evolution throughout the years. Lester Bangs starts the book off- they kind of met each other’s match and naturally hated each other. A good piece of insight about both of their characters at the time, aside from a lengthy transphobic rant against Reed’s partner at the time- Rachel, a different time, yes, but one still wonders why Bangs took the time and effort to describe her with such vitriol multiple times within the interview.
The most genuine interviews are in the middle, especially Neil Gaiman, who truly showed up to be the real fan he describes before the interview begins. The Marchese interview with Spin was a waste of Lou’s time and mine- a bunch of questions about Andy Warhol and the Velvets that you already know the answer to and Lou was clearly sick of speaking about.
The last interview is short and not too insightful but a good send off for a very misunderstood man. A good read for any fans of Lou.
The most genuine interviews are in the middle, especially Neil Gaiman, who truly showed up to be the real fan he describes before the interview begins. The Marchese interview with Spin was a waste of Lou’s time and mine- a bunch of questions about Andy Warhol and the Velvets that you already know the answer to and Lou was clearly sick of speaking about.
The last interview is short and not too insightful but a good send off for a very misunderstood man. A good read for any fans of Lou.
November 13, 2018
Great interviews by Lester Bangs (the infamous “Let Us Now Praise Famous Death Dwarves), Neil Gaiman, Paul Auster and others.
“In other words, Lou Reed is a completely depraved pervert and pathetic death dwarf and everything else you want to think he is. On top of that he’s a liar, a wasted talent, an artist continually in flux, and a huckster selling pounds of his own flesh. A panderer living off the dumbbell nihilism of a seventies generation that doesn’t have the energy to commit suicide.” God, I love Bangs! And Lou Reed ✨
“In other words, Lou Reed is a completely depraved pervert and pathetic death dwarf and everything else you want to think he is. On top of that he’s a liar, a wasted talent, an artist continually in flux, and a huckster selling pounds of his own flesh. A panderer living off the dumbbell nihilism of a seventies generation that doesn’t have the energy to commit suicide.” God, I love Bangs! And Lou Reed ✨
June 11, 2018
"The street poet of rock 'n' roll..."
Lou Reed's interviews give us an individualistic, one of a kind, musician and writer. But also show the interviewee in relation to the interviewer. Lou offers up something new in conversation, and so much of what he gives the reader is based off of the symbiotic relationship he builds with his journalists. A writer who knew writers; a musician who knew music journalism.
Lou Reed's interviews give us an individualistic, one of a kind, musician and writer. But also show the interviewee in relation to the interviewer. Lou offers up something new in conversation, and so much of what he gives the reader is based off of the symbiotic relationship he builds with his journalists. A writer who knew writers; a musician who knew music journalism.
March 26, 2021
i borrowed my dad's copy (which i had gifted him - hah) as a fun read while visiting him last week. i recently purchased a new badass leather jacket so i've been listening to the velvets a lot while breaking it in. i was more impressed w/ the range of journalistic approaches showcased here than the glimpses into lou reed's life/thought/artistic process. as a former music critic the interview w/ david marchese was viscerally painful to read; i think i would have cried if an interviewee had spoken to me that way. what an asshole! on the other hand, i thoroughly enjoyed the fluid, thought-provoking conversation btwn reed & paul auster.
February 28, 2020
Contrary to the idea that Reed was a terrible interviewee, here he - mostly - gives good chat. With a few fired-up barbs and bored, detached can't-be-fuckeds for good measure. Some revealing late-period interview though. Worth it.
July 26, 2025
My favorite interview was the first interview in the collection by writer Lester Bangs for Creem, March 1975. I liked the funny exchange between Reed and Bangs, and found Bangs' writing lush and wild. I think this collection is worth checking out just for this interview alone.
January 18, 2020
I really liked the interview/conversation with Paul Auster.
March 22, 2020
I mean it's Lou Reed talking. Take that as you will.
December 23, 2021
nobody does lou reed better than lou reed
December 11, 2022
You can't ask me to explain the lyrics because I won't do it. -Lou Reed
Interesting read that made me want to listen to the music. Now that's Lou.
Interesting read that made me want to listen to the music. Now that's Lou.
November 23, 2023
პოლ ოსტერთან ინტერვიუ გამოსარჩევია
November 7, 2024
Love this guy. Champion of outliers. Kicking against the pricks.
This collection of interviews gives a pretty good overview of who he was, and what it must of been like to interview him.
This collection of interviews gives a pretty good overview of who he was, and what it must of been like to interview him.
February 17, 2025
Short read. Very interesting to see the change in Lou throughout the years. Interesting stuff
February 14, 2023
This is a series of interviews with Reed done in the 80’s and 90s with a handful of critics. Part of a larger series that includes notables like Kurt Vonnegut, David Foster Wallace et al it makes for a quick, entertaining read when you want something in the ~100-page range. Reed was known for his prickly personality and especially when it came to interviews which makes this series engaging. The interviews range from the smug, self-aggrandizing Lester Bangs to the sublime exchange between Reed and Paul Auster about their respective careers along with several from New York critics that Reed alternately trades barbs with or patiently and thoughtfully addresses their questions about his life and work.
October 23, 2021
Anyone interested in the subject will be familiar with "Let Us Now Praise Famous Dead Dwarves", Lester Bangs' mad, confrontational 1975 interview with Lou Reed - the only entry here that really deserves to be compiled in a book (which has been, many times). Was there no other interviews from 1965-1989 they could license? Surely Nick Kent, Julie Birchill, Paul Williams or Paul Morley had a go at him at some point? This can be read in a pleasant couple of hours and it feels like it was conceived and put together in the same amount of time.
May 9, 2016
Six interviews with Lou Reed from 1975 through 2013. Only one I 'd read before was the first one from 1975--Lester Bangs for Creem. Gonzo, over the top. The Neil Gaiman one from 1992 was sweet. Not sappy sweet, but young and sincere. He was a real fan. And Dave Marchese's 2008 interview shows Lou as he's frequently described: an awful subject to try to interview. If you're a Lou Reed fan, read it. If not a fan, skip it. If you're a Neil Gaiman fan you might just want just read his interview.
September 17, 2019
A collection of interviews that Lou Reed gave through his life (and he did not like to give interviews!). The title of the book is a bit misleading, as the least interesting interview is actually the last one. But, the book contains some gems, including Reed's conversation with Paul Auster, which was triggered by the rockstar appearance in the movies "Smoke" and "Blue in the Face" based on Auster's writing, where they talk about the creative process and other things in life.
March 13, 2015
If you like Lou Reed there is no reason not to read this short collection of interviews with the artist. There are no new insights or Earth shattering revelations to be found (unless you consider the level of Neil Gaiman's idol worship to be such). The Paul Auster interview was particularly enjoyable, as the 2 obviously we're friends and shared a mutual admiration.
January 25, 2019
These various interviews neatly capture Lou Reed in his many moods: cranky, wistful, aloof, exuberant. But the best piece here isn’t actually an interview, but a conversation been Reed and the author Paul Auster, from 1996. Reed and Auster followed different artistic paths, yet had so much in common that their talk has both divergent views and genuine warmth between the two men.
March 4, 2015
Lou is always Lou. Illuminating collection, beautiful book design!
November 14, 2015
It´s merely a collection of interviews, but I´d prefer it to most biographies. Delivers.
January 20, 2016
Not much of book--most of the half dozen of so interviews are pretty tepid. The only real spark of life is when Lester Bangs gets on a roll, but you should really his collected works for that.
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February 26, 2016782.42166 L8861 2015
August 26, 2016
anything (everything) i say will be bias so i'll just stop here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews