Legendary singer Lou Reed dies at 71

Frontman of iconic rock band the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, died on Sunday at the age of 71 in New York. The band became one of the most influential in rock history by fusing art and music in collaboration with Andy Warhol in 1960s New York. As news of his death broke, tributes poured in on social media, including from fellow musician David Bowie and actors Samuel L. Jackson and John Cusack. The Velvet Underground never achieved huge commercial success, but are widely accredited with having revolutionized rock in the 1960s and 70s with a mixture of thrashing guitar licks and smooth melodies sung by Reed. The band are recognized as having been a major musical influence on punk and art rock. A self-confessed hard drinker and drug user for many years, Reed underwent a liver transplant earlier this year. The singer visited China back in 2007.