The Velvet Underground never achieved much commercial success. But they revolutionized rock in the 60s and early 70s by fusing art and music in collaboration with artist Andy Warhol. The band was famous for a mixture of thrashing guitar licks and smooth melodies.

Reed was an admitted hard drinker and drug user for many years. According to his agent, he died due to complications from a liver transplant he underwent earlier this year.

(Source: cntv.cn)