Musicians, artists and aging punk-rockers are expected be amongst the crowd at a public memorial service for Lou Reed at a north London Chapel this Sunday. The event - Wake on the Wild Side – is billed as a celebration of Lou Reed’s life and genius and will be a chance for people who have been inspired, influenced or touched by his work to pay tribute to the visionary musician who died last Sunday.

Organisers are inviting bands, musicians, poets as well as ordinary people to perform, speak or just attend the event which will take place in London's famous Newington Green Unitarian Chapel hosted by atheist minister Andy Pakula.

"This would be a very different world without Lou Reed. There are many people who feel a distinct need to say goodbye" says Pakula. “This is event is intended for anyone and everyone whose life has been touched by his music and poetry, be they old rock stars, young musicians or just ordinary folk.”

Organisers are hoping to get a wide range of people to come and even Salman Rushdie tweeted on Tuesday to say that he would not be able to attend as he was in New York. Rushdie recently recalled an interview with Vaclav Havel in which he hinted at the Velvet Underground front man’s impact on the Prague Spring saying, “Why do you think it was called the Velvet Revolution?” he asked Rushdie.

Organisers stress that the programme for the memorial is not fixed and are appealing to people to get involved. Everyone who would like to help is welcome: musicians, technicians, artists or anyone who has been inspired, influenced or touched by Lou Reed’s music or poetry. Tickets are free but limited in number. Priority will be give to those help with the event. Dress code on Sunday is optional but people are encouraged to dress on the wild side.”

WAKE ON THE WILD SIDE
Sunday, November 3, 2013, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Newington Green Unitarian Chapel
London N16 9PR

FOR MORE INFORMATION
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@WakeOnWildSide

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APPLY FOR TICKETS
Eventbrite -  http://www.eventbrite.com/event/9069345657
Tickets are FREE but space is limited. anyone who can help us make this event the success it deserves to be. Please register on this site and let us know if there is anything that you can do to help.

NOTES
1. New Unity is a congregation that has always walked on the wild side as a centre for dissent. Its 305 year history includes support for the French and American revolutions, women's rights, and equal marriage. Mary Wollstonecraft - the "mother of feminism" - attended and was radicalized there in the 18th century earning New Unity the right to the label "The Birthplace of Feminism."