In honour of Lou Reed’s birthday, Keith Richards has released a cover of the Velvet Underground’s ‘I’m Waiting for the Man’.
The cover comes alongside the announcement of a new record tribute album of Reed’s music, The Power of the Heart: a Tribute to Lou Reed. The album promises a star-studded cast of musicians paying tribute to the late rock and roll icon, including Lucinda Williams, Roseanne Cash, Afghan Whigs, and Joan Jett and The Blackhearts.
In a statement, Richards praised Reed’s attitude and his authentic approach, saying, “To me, Lou stood out. The real deal! [He was] important to American music and to ALL MUSIC! I miss him and his dog”.
Outside of Richards’s rendition of the Velvet Underground favourite, a large portion of the record features reimagined pieces of Reed’s solo catalogue. Rufus Wainwright is set to deliver a version of ‘Perfect Day’, and Mary Gauthier will put her spin on the 1975 classic ‘Coney Island Baby’.
Wainwright also said of Reed: “He’s one of the few people whom I miss as much now as when he left… His general aura would always lend something really unique to the room.”
Maxim Ludwig and Angel Olsen team up for the opening track on the tribute album, ‘I Can’t Stand It’. Speaking about her contribution, Olsen said: “Lou Reed is my earliest influence, my introduction to punk rock. This song was a great opportunity to creatively work with Maxim.”
The title of the album is taken from a song that Reed had penned after he began his relationship with Laurie Anderson, who he married in 2008. One of his final compositions, the song was initially performed by Peter Gabriel in 2010 and is included here sung by singer-songwriter Brogan Bentley.
Listen to Richards’s take on ‘I’m Waiting For The Man’ below.
In honour of Lou Reed’s birthday tomorrow, Keith Richards has recorded a cover of ‘I’m Waiting for the Man’…pic.twitter.com/XhP7q4TWS8
