Lou Reed's Final Interview [YouTube Video]

Lou Reed sat down with Farida Khelfa on September 21st of this year for what would be his final interview before his passing. It took place during a photo shoot for Parrot Zik headphones in New York City.

One of the original rock and roll bad boys is in fine form during this interview, and it's extraordinarily captivating. Reed explains that he did music because "You do what you love... or you get arrested." When asked if his father gave him his first guitar, he responds "My father didn't give me shit." Somewhat amazingly, Reed claims to have bought his first guitar at 9 years old with his own money that he got from chopping trees down and taking care of chickens. He also shares that he isn't playing music every day at this point in his life, but he sleeps with his guitar and his amp.

The conversation becomes quite technical, as Reed explains the importance of bass frequencies in music, and limitations in reproducing sound through headphones as well as on vinyl and CDs. A true lover of music, Reed has incredible respect for the power of bass in everything from Beethoven to hip-hop. During this final interview, he explains that he's recently remastered all of his albums with the most cutting edge digital technology and software. Speaking of that remastering process, he shares "It was so beautiful, it made me cry."

Reed also explains the difference between sound, noise, and music: "Ordered sound is music. My life is music." He's completely spot on, reflecting the amazing nature of sound in human life. In his final days, he reflects on importance of a mother's heartbeat on a developing human life, and why rhythmic music is a comforting thing as we grow up. The video ends as Lou Reed explains that nature sounds like the sound of wind is the sound of love. I can't do Lou Reed's words justice here, so I suggest you watch the video above at least once and preferably several times over.

Editor's note: later in the day, this

Rest in peace.

Source: Rolling Stone