Keith Richards Performs “I’m Waiting For The Man”: A New Tribute to Lou Reed

“To me, Lou stood out. The real deal! Something important to American music and to ALL MUSIC! I miss him and his dog.” — Keith Richards

On what would have been Lou Reed’s 82nd birthday (March 2), Keith Richards released a cover of “I’m Waiting for the Man,” a track originally written by Reed in 1966, then recorded by the Velvet Underground the next year. Previously covered by David Bowie, OMD, and French singer Vanessa Paradis, the song makes sense in Keith Richards’ hands. As one YouTuber put it, “Seeing Keith perform this Velvet Underground classic is watching him take a victory lap over his addiction. He’s been away from that life for decades and now he’s telling the story about someone else, even though he lived it for a long time. This is a triumph for him.”

Richards’ cover will appear on the forthcoming album The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed, where songs move from Reed’s “groundbreaking years with the Velvets into his majestic solo career.” Contributors include Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Rufus Wainwright, Lucinda Williams, Rickie Lee Jones, Bobby Rush, and Rosanne Cash. The album will be released on Record Store Day (April 20th). Get more deets here.

Below, as a bonus, watch Reed and Bowie perform “I’m Waiting for the Man” together, apparently at Reed’s 50th birthday bash in 1997.

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