David Bowie and John Cale lead tributes to Lou Reed

David Bowie is among many artists who have paid tribute to Lou Reed, who died yesterday [October 27] aged 71.

A post on Bowie’s website read:

“R.I.P. LOU REED

“It is with great sadness that we report the death of Lou Reed who died today aged 71. (March 2, 1942 – October 27, 2013)

David Bowie said of his old friend: ‘He was a master.'”

Meanwhile, John Cale took to Twitter to offer these words on Reed: “The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet…I’ve lost my ‘school-yard buddy’ – john cale”

He then wrote a fuller tribute, saying: “The news I feared the most, pales in comparison to the lump in my throat and the hollow in my stomach. Two kids have a chance meeting and 47 years later we fight and love the same way — losing either one is incomprehensible. No replacement value, no digital or virtual fill…broken now, for all time. Unlike so many with similar stories — we have the best of our fury laid out on vinyl, for the world to catch a glimpse. The laughs we shared just a few weeks ago, will forever remind me of all that was good between us.”

Elsewhere, artists including The Who, Pixies and The Black Keys have paid their respects to Reed via Twitter.

The Who: “R.I.P. Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side.”

Pixies: “R.I.P. LOU REED….A LEGEND”

The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney: “R.I.P. Lou Reed.”

Lee Renaldo: “RIP Lou Reed. Irreplaceable.”

Jim James: “RIP Lou Reed.

you made the world a better place.

we are forever grateful.”

Flea: “I love Lou reed so much. Always”

At their show at the Baltimore Arena, Pearl Jam dedicated “Man Of The Hour” to Reed, with Eddie Vedder saying “He was a game changer and a life changer.” The band also played “Waiting For The Man” in Reed’s honour.

Other Twitter tributes came from Salman Rushdie, Stephen Fry and film maker Judd Apatow.

Salman Rushdie: “My friend Lou Reed came to the end of his song. So very sad.But hey, Lou, you’ll always take a walk on the wild side. Always a perfect day.”

Judd Apatow: “I met Lou Reed and told him he gave me tinnitus at a concert in 1989 that never went away and it was worth it. Dirty Blvd. Love to Lou.”

Stephen Fry: “Oh it’s such an imperfect day.”

You can read Morrissey‘s statement on Reed’s death here.

You can read Patti Smith and David Byrne’s tributes here.

You can hear Neil Young, Elvis Costello and Jim James cover a Lou Reed song here.

You can read a 2002 interview with Reed from the Uncut archives here.