Rolling Stone's Jon Dolan is reporting rock pioneer Lou Reed has died.

According to the New York Times' Ben Ratliff, the cause was liver disease.

Reed had undergone a liver transplant earlier this year.

Quite recently, he'd been promoting a new book of photos taken of him and other music legends by photographer Mick Rock.

Lou Reed was born in Brooklyn and grew up on Long Island. He founded the Velvet Underground, a band said to have sold few records but whose listeners would go on to found their own bands.

After leaving the band in the early '70s, Reed released a string of solo albums that sealed his status as one of the most influential figures in rock history.

He is survived by his longtime companion, artist Laurie Anderson.

His most famous song remains, "Walk On The Wild Side," a snapshot of New York City's decadence.

Here's a version, from his live album, "Take No Prisoners," in which he gives his own take on the song's famous characters.