Tributes to the late Lou Reed(1942 – 2013) have been paid by musicians from all over the world.

Lou Reed who died at the age of 71 is widely credited as one of the most influential rock musicians the past 50 years.

He started out in 1960s with his band Velvet Underground in New York.

Musical pioneer Lou Red died recently

Their music was ahead of their time, but failed to achieve a major commercial breakthrough.

Reed and the Velvet Underground mixed American and British styles with art into their own avant garde performance.

The pioneering music created by Reed with his band and on his many solo ventures challenged both his own fans and the music industry establishment.

In 1970 he split from the Velvet and moved to Britain where he recorded his first solo album.

His next album Transformer, produced by David Bowie, propelled him from the cult scene into rock hall of fame with songs like “Walk on the wild side” and “Satellite of Love”.

One of his most quoted statements is: “One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you’re into jazz.”

Although their music failed to reach a mass audience it inspired many of their fans to start bands on their own.

Bands like REM and U2 list Velvet Underground as one of their most important sources of inspiration.

David Bowie has described Reed as his all-time hero.

Tributes from musicians quickly appeared on social media like Facebook and Twitter. David Bowie said “He was my master” and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth wrote: “So sorry to hear of Lou Reed’s passing this is a huge shock!”

In 2007 Reed told the BBC that he had never been a businessman and therefore never cared much about the music industry.

Cover of the Transformer album, released in 1972.

He also said that he never cared for what critiques and pundits had to say about his music.

Nevertheless, his work was instrumental in shaping many of today’s top artists and bands. His legacy lives on, even if he doesn’t give damn.