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Seat for Lou Reed London memorial "sell out" in 48 hours

WakeOnTheWildSide | 02.11.2013 19:45

“Wake on the Wild Side”: Lou Reed celebrated in London Chapel this Sunday.



Musicians, artists and aging punk-rockers are expected to be amongst the crowd at a public memorial service for Lou Reed at a north London Chapel tomorrow. 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.

Bands and musicians will perform Lou Reed tracks and actors as well as fans will read lyrics and talk about what he meant to them at London's famous Newington Green Unitarian Chapel. The event will be hosted by atheist minister Andy Pakula and writer Stefan Simanowitz. There will also be song sheets for the congregation to sing along to Perfect Day, Satellite of Love, Sweet Jane and Walk on the Wild Side.

"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 have been affected by his music, be they old rock stars, young musicians or just ordinary folk.”

Despite news of the free event only being spread by word-of-mouth and social media it was booked-up in under 48 hours. Fans and bands are travelling from across the country to be there and organisers confident that there will be a wide range of people attending. 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.

“The overwhelming response to this celebration of Lou Reed's life is an indication of how important a figure he was to millions of people in the UK and around the world" said Stefan Simanowitz. "It is an event for and by Lou Reed fans and promises to be a moving tribute to a remarkable man."

Dress code is optional but people are encouraged to dress on the wild side.

WAKE ON THE WILD SIDE

Sunday, November 3, 2013, Newington Green Unitarian Chapel, London

Tickets are now SOLD OUT. Those without tickets will not be admitted.

It is hope that the service will be LIVE STREAMED (we STILL need help to achieve this)

A Lou Reed after-party will be held in the nearby Alma pub, Newington Green from 4pm - 11pm with DJ Mike. www.thealma-n1.co.uk

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