New York SummerStage Best Moments

Lou Reed – 1991 – Central Park Rumsey Playfield

Lou Reed was reluctant about reading his lyrics. He drew over 5,000 fans for a free show. It seemed like every New York musician, writer, punk was in the audience. Reed was nervous about not having a band and a guitar, and then he crushed it. Fans listened intently to “Heroin,” “Halloween Parade,” “Dirty Blvd,” and many more. Reed commanded the stage with his words. —J.K.