Lou Reed: Metal Machine Music

IN 1975, LOU Reed was the most dangerously fascinating figure in rock 'n' roll. With his old associates Bowie and Iggy having turned respectively into coked-up plastic soul man and aimless junkie, it was down to the Phantom of Rock to fly the flag for the sleazy, pharmaceutically-fuelled wild side in those timid, pre-punk times of prog excess and limpid singer-songwriters.