Lou Reed was an influential American musician, songwriter and record producer known for his distinctive lyrical narratives and pioneering role in the development of rock music. His music, primarily characterized by experimental, avant-garde, and glam rock styles, significantly shaped the genre's trajectory in the late 20th century. As a founding member of the Velvet Underground, Reed's significant works include "Heroin" and "Sweet Jane," and his solo masterpiece "Walk on the Wild Side". Reed's unmistakable fusion of gritty realism and poetic lyricism has left an indelible influence on subsequent generations of rock musicians.