Lou Reed (album) Lou Reed (album) Lou Reed is the debut solo studio album by American musician Lou Reed, released in April 1972 by RCA Records, two years after he left the Velvet Underground. It was produced by Richard Robinson and Reed and features London session musicians as Reed's backing band, two of whom, Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe, were from the progressive rock band Yes. Wakeman recalled that during the recording sessions, "the lights had to be out so nobody could see." The album was recorded in Morgan Studios, London, between December 1971 and January 1972. "Lou Reed" comprises eight new recordings
Rick Wakeman next album, "Relayer", stressing he could no longer contribute to the material the band were developing for it. Later that day, A&M called him with the news that "Journey" had entered the UK charts at No. 1, the label's first to do so. Wakeman called it "a day I will never forget for as long as I live". "Journey" also reached No. 3 in the US, and earned Wakeman an Ivor Novello Award The album went on to sell 14 million copies worldwide. On 27 July 1974, Wakeman headlined the Crystal Palace Park Garden Party concert, performing selections from "Six