Oh man! What a shocker....or maybe not, according to a friend who was staying at the same hotel as him not so long ago and said he didn't look well at all. 

some places are saying it's a hoax though, while some are printing it.. I'll wait till I hear it from the BBC I guess.
 

There you go
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-24697765

Saw him a year or so ago. It was pretty obvious then that he was getting quite frail. Still turned in a great gig though. Not quite sure he really needed to use half a dozen different guitars, but I guess when you're one of the most influential artists of the last half century and a truly unique voice you can be forgiven that kind of thing.

Been listening to him since I discovered the Velvets 35 years ago when I was 18. One of those people who's music changed many people's lives in all kinds of ways.

The world is a poorer place today.

Aw, Cack.
Not a perfect day at all. :(

Bummer. I was a big fan.

Total bummer.  My thoughts are with Laurie.  Left one heck of an imprint on modern rock. 

R.I.P.  Lou
 
I saw him a couple of years ago when he made a guest appearance during a Peter Gabriel concert at Radio City Music Hall in NY.  He was visibly week and his performance was absolutely horrible (I had a difficult time sitting through it) ...  and I unfortunately realized at that time he was nearing the end.
 
On a personal note and kind of an unintended tribute, back in July I was in NJ and went out to see my old band play.  I was invited to sit in for a couple of tunes and we ended up doing Lou Reed’s Rock and Roll.
 
Then I saw the guys again last week while in NJ when we got together for a basement jam.  We ended our evening jam with Lou Reed’s Rock and Roll … such a great tune.

RIP Lou and all the other unsung heroes that moved on with you that day, my thoughts are with your families and friends.