Lou Reed’s Archives Coming to New York Public Library

The personal archives of the late Lou Reed are coming to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. Reed’s widow and avant-garde pioneer Laurie Anderson and the NYPL made the announcement today, on what would have been Reed’s 75th birthday. The Lou Reed Archive includes about 3,600 audio and 1,300 video recordings, clocking in at over 600 hours, according to a press release. There is also writing (such as original manuscripts, lyrics, poetry, and notes), photographs, fan mail, his personal collection of books and records, various documents, and more. It will span Reed’s entire career, from his 1958 high school band through his final performances in 2013. The archive will be ready for public viewing next year. Check out previews from the archive below (all photos by Jonathan Blanc/The New York Public Library).

In addition to the archive, there will be two public events held this month to celebrate Reed. A performance of his poetry and his work The Raven will take place at the Library of Performing Arts on March 13, while a performance of Laurie Anderson’s Lou Reed: Drones will be held at the Schwartzman Building on March 15. The events are free to the public, and you can register to attend here. Additionally, the Library of Performing Arts will play a different Reed recording each day in its cafe at the top of the hour, and select displays of ephemera will be available to view in both buildings through March 20. 

This past October, Legacy Recordings released a box set called Lou Reed – The RCA & Arista Album Collection. Along with 16 albums, it included memorabilia from his archives, as well as photos and artwork.

Last year, the New York Public Library acquired the archives of Arthur Russell. This month, a Brooklyn Academy of Music exhibition called Do What I Want: The Experimental World of Arthur Russell will display some of those materials.

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