‘Mambo No.5’ singer Lou Bega has revealed that he has been receiving “tons of condolences” following the death of Lou Reed earlier this week.

Bega, who has no connection to The Velvet Underground or Reed, released his hit single in 1999, spending two weeks at Number One in the Official UK Singles Chart. Posting on Facebook yesterday (October 28) he said that he was saddened by the death of Reed and described the late singer as a “genius” before revealing the mix-up, which he blames on a journalist confusing the pair’s first names.

“R.I.P Lou Reed the Genius who took Walks on the Wild side,” wrote Bega on his Facebook page. He added: “PS: I have been receiving tons of condolences because of a journalist confusing our identities. Lou Bega sends his condolences to Mr Reed’s Family.”


News of the death of the legendary performer emerged late on Sunday with the cause of death confirmed as liver failure earlier today (October 29). The frontman had a liver transplant last May (2013). Reed’s death leaves Cale and drummer Moe Tucker as the only surviving members of the pioneering New York art rockers The Velvet Underground.

David Bowie and The Strokes lead musician’s tributes to Lou Reed with Morrissey, Iggy Pop, Patti Smith and The Who also paying their respects to the late star. Additionally, John Cale wrote “The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet… I’ve lost my ‘school-yard buddy'” on his Facebook page.