Guardian: Lou Reed had liver transplant

BEGINNING TO SEE THE LIGHT: The U.K.'s Guardian newspaper reports that rock trailblazer Lou Reed had a liver transplant last month in Cleveland. The paper cites the Velvet Underground founder's wife, avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson, who says the 71-year-old songwriter "was dying." After cancelling a batch of April shows, Reed reportedly opted for surgery in Cleveland rather than his native New York—due to what Anderson calls a "dysfunctional" medical system there. "I don't think he'll ever totally recover from this," she added of her husband's progress, "but he'll certainly be back to doing [things] in a few months. He's already working and doing t'ai chi. I'm very happy. It's a new life for him." We wish him the fastest recovery imaginable. In a related story, the HITS editorial staff requested two fresh livers and a spleen, noting that the weekend had been "festive." (6/3a)