Lou Reed interviewed by Flo & Eddie

[Mono] This is an interview that was done on a late night USTV program, on which numerous live performances were captured, way back in the 70s and 80s. There is no music during this interview; just penetrating conversation, so to speak.
The recording date is sometime between the release of "Street Hassle" and "Take No Prisoners" - both, incredible listening choices, if you'd ask me.
I had shared this once before, and Mr. Reed was kind enough to link that previous posting to his website, before his unfortunate passing away.
It is time to put it up here again, because it is such a great little interview.
Apologies for the tracking error, which affects the picture slightly, at times, but the videotape was on its last legs. The audio portion of the interview is not affected, however.

[@thisaintnofoolingaround4722]

Lou Reed being nice and talkative to interviewers - it's very unsettling...

[@janbehaeghel1518]

Yes, but he had reason to act sarcastic again, here. It's sooo unbelievable how interviewers think they know better than the composer why or how he/ she wrote a song! Jeezes! I understand why he hated journalists!

[@janbehaeghel1518]

Jan Akkerman also gave his meaning about journalists, after he had the melody maker price. From then on, they thought they knew better than him, what to do or whatever.

[@Revolution1117]

I've seen a number of interviews with Lou, and he seems to be much more at ease with fellow musicians than with a typical rag-sheet or talk show interviewer looking for that "gotcha" question (with some exceptions, i.e. Charlie Rose). I think most musicians tend to be more open & comfortable talking to their peers, IMO.

[@extantia]

Being avant-garde musicians themselves, Flo and Eddie were more like peers than interviewers.

[@Bogart9ChrisCarter]

@Matt_Dylan How could Flo and Eddie be mistaken for "Journalists" thats funneee. They are brilliant musical peers to Lou not his journalists.

[@ipsurvivor]

“I think... I wish I wrote that... But I did”, One of the greatest and most hilarious and surreal quotes ever...

[@kevinherbert4256]

yaaaaaw...more vacuous undergraduate wordplay from the fraudster himself...a talentless dweeb....

[@-Ricky_Spanish-]

Wow, how freaking cool were Flo and Eddie? I've never seen Lou Reed be this nice to anyone in an interview from back then. That's respect.

[@oregonjoe8247]

Lou was nice to any interviewer who didn’t ask stupid questions

[@mellow5123]

Flo and Eddie (Mark and Howard) were the Capybara of the entire rock scene; friends to all.

[@Buelligan88]

Lou is being awfully nice. Must be because it's Flo and Eddie.

[@velvetfan]

they are really cutting him off and won't let him complete his thoughts[ quite a bit

[@MadHauler]

Buelligan88 of course he loves these guys, the fucking Mothers who doesn't like flow and eddy they are personal and ask proper questions ,beautiful, now on the other hand the press ha

[@Tinoryism]

Pressed for time cuz it was on tv

[@brootalben]

Fuck! The Turtles! Period. Lou no doubt respected that sweet little gift those 2 are largely responsible for.

[@macaroon147]

Cause he's not being antagonized. This is probably just him in his normal state lol

[@damoncuccia6569]

He respects these guys. They are his peers. Cool interview

[@SuperPussyFinger]

This is the most human I've ever seen Lou Reed.

[@petermaxwell2965]

That's because he's NOT talking to assholes, which is what rock jounolist are !

[@zeta3347]

Flo and Eddie are also musicians

[@macaroon147]

Just because they don't antagonize him. They talk to him like a human.

[@mbtjr]

@@petermaxwell2965 You hit the nail squarely on the head.

[@petermaxwell2965]

I saw flo & Eddie, and Lou reed came out on stage with them, and did walk on the wild side ..🎼🎸🎧🎤

[@stevechristensen2351]

In an internet world where folks have a perverse obsession with perpetuating the image of Lou as solely a difficult jerk, THIS! So wonderful to have evidence of Lou as a thoughtful, considerate artist. The fact that he is being interviewed by knowledgeable and sympathetic dudes makes a world of difference also.

[@broken1394]

'I'll be your mirror' is true - Lou is a mirror If you see a jerk, you are a jerk.

[@clc-gl4jn]

Lou wasn't as much of a jerk as people think it was his addiction that influenced him to be the way that he was - deep down he was a good person and he got sober in the 80s and more of that good person came out. Of course he always had dry humor but he wasn't all bad. Then it was mainly journalists where he would Grill them where he seem like a jerk but they would ask him stupid ass questions so he gave them rhetorical sarcastic responses. But I'm telling you the addiction part really was the thing that influenced him to be a monster when he really had a good heart deep down

[@stevechristensen2351]

@@clc-gl4jn yeah, I don't know specific details for him but he certainly chilled out later in life. Funny comparison is to watch Lou Reed talk show interviews and Charles Grodin talk show interviews. Charles was combative like Lou could be but somehow cloaked it in schtick, although i think his schtick had a bit of reality. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d4WZeXycndyngdE

[@lamper2]

Lou is the guy who perpetuated his reputation as a jerk. You have to admit he, MANY times, wasn't as at ease as he is here.

[@fpopee]

Dont forget..... he knows these guys...

[@gerald_legerdemain]

Amazing how lucid and forthcoming Lou could be when he respected the interviewer(s)

[@misterrain837]

It’s when the interviewer respects him too.

[@Fillerspace]

“He would eat at Denny’s, I wouldn’t” hilarious, “we have meetings”. “Don’t confuse me with that” To hear an artist be so honest and let us in is so beautiful, I love you Lou!

[@JSTNtheWZRD]

Yeah, you said it, man.

[@gregkuchmek]

leave it to flo and eddie to get lou to be nice!!

[@abstractwater]

It's rare to see Lou Reed this at ease. What a nice guy he must have been in normal life and day-to-day affairs. Thanks for sharing.

[@whatsforafters7843]

+abstractwater Yes, it is often hard to separate the public persona from their actual manner, when it comes to artists of many stripes. Difficult person, from all accounts, but as you stated, he was probably just fine around people he respected. Thanks for the note of appreciation, btw, and pleased you enjoyed it.

[@dukeoftheblackstar]

+What's for afters? Could it also be that he wasn't under the influence of drug and alcohol. I'm curious because if Lou, as you say (and I totally agree) is at ease with people he respected and loved, then I'd like to get something out as to why he and David Bowie fought when David was really taking care of him? Not to be biased or anything but I'd like your input :D

[@whatsforafters7843]

+Duke David Bane Just saw your question/comment reviewing posts: I do not really know the answer, but if you are referring to the period around the recording of "Transformer", then it might have been a combination of the drug & alcohol use you mentioned; the fact that his solo career hadn't made many waves Stateside, yet; and his notorious need to control things, when it came to the music. Having an ascendant star in Bowie, and his oft-unacknowledged right-hand muso, Mick Ronson, come along to arrange, perform and produce at that point in time, may have brought out the curmudgeon in Mr. Reed, seeing as Bowie could do no wrong at that point in his career, and had obviously been "taking notes" (and cues) from Lou, and getting a lot more attention and acclaim than he [Lou Reed] was receiving. Simply put: the elder was none too happy about the uppity kid from across the pond coming along and (somewhat) stealing his perceived thunder. I try not to be too biased about these things, because what can an outsider really, really know, aside from what the press was revealing [or hyping] at the time?! Hope the wait for this response was worth it!?! Thanks for asking, by the way, and in the end, it was a great thing that Bowie *did* come along and extend a hand, when he did.

[@noahbody5609]

i saw Lou Reed a lot in NYC and he seemed pretty miserable

[@Beavisofficial]

or hes high on coke

[@joshmaier6507]

I got to see him once live amazing show.❤

[@bradcrane5013]

Lou “take my shades off and camera zooms in on me” Reed

[@danugo6742]

Just checking how pinned his pupils were

[@richastle8293]

Thanks Flo and Eddie! I've never seen Lou more relaxed and communicative. You made him that way. Thanks again. I'm a huge fan of Bowie and Lou but, although sad for both, I truly cried when Lou passed. If my heart was a pie, Lou has a big piece. Great video, thanks again.

[@FlipSideCT]

Fantastic information Lou shared and presented. Love the 3rd person discussion of Lou. The other observation, Flo & Eddie do not know how andwhen to pause and listen.

[@johnbrocato2274]

great and then there's thank you

[@dannyjamesband]

THE TURTLES DON’T NEED ANYBODY’S PERMISSION

[@GreenManalishiUSA]

That's because they're Flo and Eddie. They were like that in their own interviews and on their own radio show: talking over each other, finishing each other's sentences. They are kind of like one very smart, very scrambled ADHD brain living in two separate bodies.

[@FF-so3su]

Lou seems more relaxed and happy than in many other interviews.

[@starsixteen1]

Man, I love Lou Reed. Thanks for the upload.

[@FritzKD]

This is a fantastic interview. It's so rare to see him this engaged. Thanks for posting!

[@whatsforafters7843]

Scott Downing Tis true - he was very engaged, and as one commentator added, it was far too short. Thanks for the note of appreciation!

[@HowardBaileyMusic]

Two interviewers asking separate questions at the same time and Lou is still cool

[@codybluetarp]

Yeah. Lou Reed revealed 'himself', even as we all do on a show where, speaking as Reed, lighting up: "If I was to appear as "The Host", then I would not have a chance to "play myself as a guest". But in agreeing to show up as a guest, he has the foil handy at hand. This was one of the most 'honest' interviews i have seen him do. The 'ziggy stardust' analogy struck home. Flo & Eddie scored a hit this night.

[@kornysinclair9145]

This was utterly informative. Must b shared. Thank u . They should show this in high school music. Ultimately one of the greats. Thank u lou

[@whatsforafters7843]

Appreciate your note of thanks. Lucky it was aired, in the first place.

[@cheapthrilll6323]

i love Lou, and Zappa, always have. Garcia, Hendrix, Syd, and Joey &DeeDee too!

[@tuskedbeast]

Just read Kaylan's book. To the people annoyed at the interviewer's interruptions, from that source- they were friends, they were all high on cocaine, and they were comfortable with each other... hence the talking over each other. I think this is a pretty cool, exceptional bit of Lou on TV, just because he's happy. Pointless to wish otherwise....

[@tomcass2.030]

man you are talking to people on youtubes, they think they personally know Flo and Reedy lol

[@fuzzydunlop4513]

without knowing that, and watching any interview where the interviewers interrupt, it seems rude. I get it, but still you're interviewing someone for people to watch, nobody wants to see these two interrupt Lou reed

[@venomfour20]

I do

[@palacerevolution2000]

This is a very evenly paced converse between three people. what's with this "hi on cocaine, talking over each other' references? It's what he is talking about: people will project their notion on this image. It's disrespectful to these guys .

[@tuskedbeast]

@@palacerevolution2000 "Just read Kaylan's book" was the reference, literally a reference to an anecdote from one of the three involved (and literally "literal"). Kaylan is very frank about the drugs he wrote they were on here. Not a projection and not disrespectful, whatever, buddy!

[@andymorphic67]

best interview with lou i have seen....thanks for the post

[@whatsforafters7843]

andymorphic67 You are most welcome! Definitely a fun[ny] interview, for a number of reasons. Just wish it didn't have the visual glitches. If you are like me, you have to listen a couple of times to catch Lou's quick quips in his answers :) Thanks for writing your note of appreciation, as well!

[@muhrvis]

Fantastic to hear him speak about his music and characters with people he actually likes so he doesn't have to get pissed off.

[@montgomerybrains]

i think flo and eddie were the right people for the job here

[@velvetfan]

Thanks so much. When it came out vhs recorders weren’t around or affordable. I had my SLR on a tripod and I recorded the audio on r2r tape and I had photos from a small tube tv (B&W) that were slides so I had it synced with the audio but it was lost during hurricane Ida. I’m so glad to be able to see this again! 😊😊thanks so much!!!!

[@whatsforafters7843]

You're very welcome! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this so much, especially after all the effort you made to capture the footage, in the first place.

[@sugarayofsunshine]

Wow - amazing interview. Lou Reed - so with it and yet so fragile.

[@owenwilberforce6138]

I enjoy hearing Lou talk about the persona of his songs. It’s like Tom Waits, sure they sing as a character but the research behind it was real. Needless to say, both guys had to sober up after a couple decades of being underneath the bottle though.

[@TolkienStudy]

Lou holds up in any era. The other guys are so obviously 70's, it's great lol

[@mamaott]

God, thank you uploader, I live for this stuff. These guys are all so incredible to me, and I was too young to watch this. This is why I love KZbin. It’s also so true about stupid censorship and pertains to now!

[@whatsforafters7843]

My pleasure! One of my favorite Lou Reed moments on film. As one commenter pointed out, when Lou takes off his sunglasses, you just know it is going to be good :) Thanks for taking the time to post a note of appreciation!

[@Binderio]

Flo & Eddie with the Mothers is my favorite thing that has happened

[@tomryan914]

I saw them in Toronto as part of Zappa's encore. 40 years later still waiting for ticket payment from certain 'friends'. Right, 'Shultz The Knob' and 'Gaf'. Fuck'em!!!

[@jaypickett3552]

Zappa said the most fun he had touring was with the Flo and Eddie line up

[@mrmusic248]

Lucas: I saw Flo & Eddie with Zappa in 1971, on the evening of Mother's Day, which is so appropriate. I was never the same after that, I was better.

[@MsHatesHaters]

Great interview. LOL though anyone who says "I don't want to get poly-syllabic with you" really does want to do that.

[@thiscorrosion900]

He also wants to hooky wooky with you.

[@dannyjamesband]

THIS IS DURING HIS LENNY BRUCE STAGE WHERE HE LET HIS LIPS DO THE TALKING AND HIS BRAIN HAD TO PLAY CATCH UP-THAT’S A COMPLIMENT, AND ALSO NOT ENTIRELY TRUE 💋

[@davecrowson448]

That may be the friendliest Lou Reed interview I’ve ever seen!

[@katevielle4263]

Lou is so sweet here :3

[@marycigarettes]

great interview..love flo and eddie's singing too

[@GetUpTheMountains]

Hah, its funny to see Lou Reed legitimately answering questions.

[@krisscanlon1265]

I think cuz he respected Flo and Eddie since they were musicians and the Press was just that a bunch of rock scribes that Lou could have been have you decided not to take drugs and be completely aberrant

[@Rabbitmonk]

Considering Lou (who I absolutely love and respect as an artist) was known to be a raging asshole in pretty much every interview and in general real-world interactions, it always amazes me just how relaxed and comfortable he was in this interview. His body language, the light-hearted asides, the genuine SMILES! This is the best 7 minutes I have ever seen of him on-air. He clearly has immense respect for Flo and Eddie (and rightfully so). I would have loved to have been at this taping and maybe see a longer version of this conversation. I never knew ya but I miss ya Lou. Say hi to David for me.

[@rays2794]

I’ve had a love/hate thing with Lou since I bought my first album, Coney Island Baby. His great stuff blows my mind, but to LOVE everything he did musically is near impossible. I do respect he always did his own thing and took a chance. Of course his VU stuff is classic but mid-80s Lou is fantastic! Like a lot of New Yorkers (me included) he could seem rude, especially to fans and press. Part of the image as he mentioned. The saddest thing is that the rock and roll hall of fame waited so long. Lou Reed gets inducted same year as POS band Green Day, it shows its about money. No one will be listening to Green Day songs 50 years from now; Velvet Underground music is a different story.

[@allsystemsgo8678]

While I don't care about Green Day, they've been extremely popular for over 25 years. I don't think they'll be forgotten

[@sammyscotch9945]

@@allsystemsgo8678 If you're not being truly sarcastic I agree

[@SuperMatrix59]

Ray S your right

[@christyspencer6920]

He was as good of a songwriter as Dylan. He was a good singer and guitarist but his genius was in his songwriting. For the time, he was so in your face as a lyricist. His lyrics were not only "out there" in their directness but their content. He was the best with VU but if you take the time to get to know him as a solo artist, you will be greatly rewarded, in the end. Lou was a legend and his music will continue to touch people's lives, just like it has mine!

[@i_cameheretothrive1331]

@@sammyscotch9945 yeah, no Jesus of Suburbia?

[@simonagree4070]

Flo and Eddie's short-lived radio show in the 70s was wonderful. I wish I had had a tape recorder to save them all. They would play all sorts of music, then cut it off to do something else, like talk about how you could get some good head from a provocative picture of Carly Simon on the local weekly music newspaper.

[@johnhrehov4720]

Great interview; I’ve never seen this side of Lou before.

[@boogieboxmusic4331]

Great interview,, intelligent people talking together..

[@ricimercury9490]

So Happy together

[@shambleslibs2387]

Got to love lou.

[@berryseinfeld6772]

Flo and Eddie are exactly how you should act w celebs. Look at how Lou respects them (although he seems a little geeked up, but that’s not their fault lol) - but they’re mega chillers. Great interview.

[@daejeoncentral90]

Thanks for the post! =)

[@whatsforafters7843]

Daejeon Central You are most welcome! Glad you enjoyed it, and took the time to say so :)

[@jangreen5618]

Lou was a genius.

[@marisasoares3907]

⚘️Lou Reed is a genius⚘️

[@johnnynbk]

street hassle, great album. buy it !

[@violetbowie4567]

one time i was at epcot center in florida and flo and eddie were there performing, and i sat down and watched them for about five seconds. i would have stayed longer had i known they conducted an interview with lou reed that actually seemed enjoyable.

[@palacerevolution2000]

I can understand you not being too excited about them as the main performer. In music there are many roles to be filled; all vital. Flo & Eddie were top session guys. Their vocals were not anonymous; very much their own sound and distinctive. Their flavor made a huge difference. Marc Bolan used them very well too. But - they were back-up vocalists; band members. Not the primary artist. And that's the way it's got to be.

[@dannyjamesband]

palacerevolution2000 WHY, BECAUSE THEY WERE FAT?

[@Dan-zw5po]

Man I love Flo and Eddie but Christ let the man talk.

[@vinniemcclung693]

"I believe in what I do " It just makes me laugh because he talks about this character but I think he was talking about himself and he didn't apologize for those characters he didn't try to shock people just because He was an artist and he was proud of who he was,

[@wendy.darling]

thanks for sharing!

[@whatsforafters7843]

+frigid stare My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it, and posted a note of appreciation.

[@caretakercain1673]

I want to see the unedited interview; there's no way Lou smoked three cigarettes in 7 minutes and 27 seconds. Unless that was some REALLY good coke!

[@palacerevolution2000]

LOL. I don't think he ever lit one up; looks like he would pick one up, set it down etc. yes that was funny.

[@gasparucciox9706]

fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@efratmargalit8168]

this is brilliant.

[@Pun2404]

God, I miss him...

[@steveconn]

Flo and Eddie looked like two pampered dogs who's rich owners have been kidnapped.

[@Hugatree1]

steve conn absolutely brilliant and hilarious analogy!

[@johnlane35]

Thanks Lou.

[@johnspooner1403]

If you want me to hear more of the real Lou I recommend the movie "Danny Says." I think that's what it's called. Excellent time capsule of that period.

[@EBthere]

This was excellent.

[@joshmaier6507]

Lou is a class act.I love his old interview s when he messes with the interviewers.

[@drillbag]

This is how you were supposed to interview Lou Reed

[@valeriozecchini7078]

"Take no prisoners", greatest album of all times.

[@whatsforafters7843]

+valerio zecchini One of the greatest live albums of all time, agreed: "Watch me turn into Lou Reed before your very eyes. I do Lou Reed better than anybody, so I thought I'd get in on it."

[@duffbaker9554]

Is that the album where he says to an audience member, "..Honey, I'm a c*ck-sucker, what's your excuse?".

[@krisscanlon4051]

Ah just wonderful photograph of a certain time in NYC

[@fabienh3943]

Flo and Eddy were ahead of their time in the way they didn't let the guest finish a single phrase. Very surprising Lou took that indeed.

[@mikefarry8494]

Fun to understood how Lou Reed operated. Helps to understand how he may have been choosing to operate in other interviews, whether under the influence of something or not. I guess. Just a layman's take.

[@crescentfreshbret]

Man, Howard Kaylan went gray so early!

[@SenorZorrozzz]

They had an FM show in the NY area in the 1980s.

[@levonhelmfanclub]

I find him so attractive

[@blackmore4]

+evelyn mv I find the fact that you find him so attractive really attractive too!

[@HmmmmNiceBike]

Which one Flo or Eddie?

[@triplea5618]

Nick Marelli i’m about to find your dead body attractive you disrespectful dilettante

[@destroyernoah]

Me too and I'm straight

[@brootalben]

Everything is so correct! My hats off to each one of you in this little pocket of time captured so eloquently. Seriously 👌

[@MrKmanthie]

The "USTV" program was the MIDNIGHT SPECIAL - a famous late-night show on Fridays (or was it Saturdays?) back in the 70s. Flo looked about the same as he did when they were w/Zappa, but "Eddie" had that big beard going on (their real names are Howard Kaylan & Mark Volman, but their former record label, from when they were in the Turtles, wouldn't let them use their real names because of some sort of contractual thing -how stupid is that? So, they came up w/"The Phlorescent Leech", which was shortened to "Flo" and "Eddie").

[@sounfunnyitshilarious8349]

“We have meetings”

[@cosmicdrifter287]

"uh no not those two again." frank zappa.

[@lancebuttercream9817]

I feel like Lou immediately realized he was talking to "freaks" just like him at that time so he probably felt more open to talk and be real.

[@ginsu7077]

Lance Buttercream they were friends

[@ginsu7077]

Lance Buttercream and on blow

[@robertwoods1380]

Why don’t they let him answer the question they asked. I give Lou credit for being nice.

[@johnscialfa7391]

love flo and eddie....but can lou get a word in...lol

[@jameskennedy721]

All three explored the outer edges of music and drama . Big surprise ? They are thoughtful and interesting people . Ooooh - how scary !

[@pete9124]

He wrote good songs and pushed on Thanks Lou

[@vesicapiscis5917]

He's like Morpheus in that big leather chair! Take the Lou pill!!

[@toneohm]

what is he saying @ 6:00 angst and derm? kithygardian? polyana trip? this is probably his best interview.., ( serious one anyway lol) but damn was he wordy.. which is awesome, but I can't even grasp some of those descriptions there.. sounds cool though, haha,, sounded like a different language there for a moment

[@roseblake5803]

You can tell theses three are friends and are trying hard not to bust out laughing. All of them great musicians !!!!

[@flemingcourt]

Great interview between two camps that are diametrically different, but maybe not so much.,

[@snaxandviolence]

Anyone know when this interview is from?

[@2kerosene]

I too have parts of me that would eat at dennys and others that wouldnt

[@dmart7777]

God, I miss Lou. He brought intellect to popular (?) music. Transformer, Berlin, the Bells, Coney Island Baby - I think of those albums like I think of books I loved. And anyone who wants the complete Floband Eddie experience - you MUST check out their work with Frank Zappa - SO FUNNY!

[@gregorycooke7462]

What did he say

[@Tasha6cat]

I miss Lou

[@atlantaguitar9689]

They were peers, certainly at this point, and since there was no asymmetry in their respective levels of accomplishment, the "interview" was basically nothing more than a filmed conversations between friends.

[@johnheath4305]

I didn’t realize he was so self aware at that age

[@umalaurenbowman7276]

So funny that all the comments point out how nice and relaxed Lou is there! You know it!... (check out his infamous Sydney interview for a sample of Lou in a bad mood with a journalist...)

[@ili626]

What year was this?

[@ziggypop79]

Lou in a good mood

[@billmay7364]

Nice LOU. Bad Lou Punk Lou Lou Reed was as Real as it Gets. R.l.P. LOU. We Love You ❤️ Cool Cat.

[@theupsndowns8161]

Holy sh*t

[@irishelk3]

He enjoyed that one

[@timide4645]

I miss Lou.

[@danielkelly5151]

Are these the 2 dudes that sing Keep it Warm???

[@WithBACON]

When was this taped? What year, at least?

[@whatsforafters7843]

April of 1978 is the original air date, apparently ;)

[@johncarden8985]

Let him talk!

[@garyoliver5783]

That person shouldn't watch Lou Reed, then put him down, how dare u, MR LOU REED is the man,that is that

[@festersuncle6298]

Floyd and Eddie were The Turtles and backed T.Rex on Electric Warrior. I believe Bowie too. Maybe even Lou Reed......at some point.