Lou Reed expanded rock's scope,influencing so many

ROCK music without LOU REED would have been far less interesting.
The pioneering Reed died yesterday, age 71.
Immediately after hearing the news, I thought about all the bands I loved that were directly influenced by THE VELVET UNDERGROUND leader.
Certainly, DAVID BOWIE used Reed's influence to broaden his musical scope. That influence in turn opened the door to punk and the left-of-center music once called "alternative."
Reed also introduced a sleazy type of subject matter into songs, delving into the urban underbelly and previously unmentioned aspects of sexuality that greatly increased songwriters' palettes.
Music fans have many reasons to praise Reed.