Rock ’n’ Roll Animal

album by Reed

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July 20, 2026

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Rock 'n' Roll Animal is a live album by Lou Reed, released in 1974. It captures Reed's performance after his departure from The Velvet Underground and features a band that included guitarist Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner. The album is known for its raw energy and showcases Reed's distinctive lyrical style, which often explored the darker, grittier aspects of urban life with a sense of dignity for his characters.1

The album was a significant release in Reed's solo career, following his breakthrough hit "Walk on the Wild Side". It is considered a landmark live album in rock music, highlighting Reed's ability to connect with his audience through powerful performances.12

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Lou Reed
…Reed’s landmark 1974 concert album Rock ’n’ Roll Animal. In 2006 Reed celebrated New York City in a book, Lou Reed’s New York, which collected his photography.
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…Reed’s landmark 1974 concert album Rock ’n’ Roll Animal. In 2006 Reed celebrated New York City in a book, Lou Reed’s New York, which collected his photography.
Read More