Transformer

A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed

By: Simon Doonan

Narrated by: Nigel Pilkington

In this funny and poignant memoir and cultural history, the television personality, columnist, and author of Drag pays homage to Lou Reed’s groundbreaking album Transformer on its fiftieth anniversary and recalls its influence on his coming of age and coming out through glam rock.

In November 1972, Lou Reed released his album, Transformer because he thought it was “dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people’s love songs.” That groundbreaking idea echoed with the times. That same year, Sweden was the first country to legalize gender-affirming surgery, and San Francisco struck down employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Sometimes an artistic creation perfectly aligns with a broader social and political history, and Transformer—with the songs “Walk on the Wild Side,” “Perfect Day,” and “Vicious”—perfectly captured its time. “Walk on the Wild Side” was banned on radio across the country but became a massive hit when young people threatened to boycott stations that would not play it. The album's cover featured a high-contrast image of Lou, flaunting a new mascara'd glamrock incarnation, shot by legend Mick Rock, thereby underscoring his intention to create "a gay album."

In Transformer, Doonan tells the story of how Lou Reed came to make the album with the help of David Bowie, and places its creation within the course of Reed’s life. Doonan offers first-hand testimony of the album’s impact on the LGBTQ+ community, recalling how it transformed his own life as a 20-year-old working class kid from Reading, England, who had just discovered the joys of London Glam Rock and was sparked by the artistic freedom of Warhol’s The Factory. Transformer was a revelation—hearing Reed’s songs, Doonan understood how the world was changing for him and his friends.

A poignant, personal addition to modern music and LGBTQ+ history, Transformer captures a pivotal moment when those long silenced were finally given a voice. As transgender icon Candy Darling, highlighted in his lyrics, told Reed, “It’s so nice to hear ourselves.”

This book would make a great gift for any music lover, LGBTQ+ activist, or history buff looking to learn more about the cultural impact of Lou Reed's Transformer album on the world.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Simon Doonan (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

Excellent!!! Marvelous Performance by N Pilkington

I read Transformer A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed a few months ago, and loved it so much I couldn’t resist buying the audio version. I’m so glad I did. The narrator, Nigel Pilkington, channels every ounce of Simon Doonan's humor, wit, and verve. Pilkington performs it all with just the right amount of camp*, and brings it all to life in the best way possible.

First thing I’ve got to tell you, don’t be misled by the title of this book. Simon Doonan gives us his take on a variety of pivotal events of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, and makes everything so entertaining. His anecdotes are fascinating, and the background info he pulls together sheds light on many important aspects of this time in our history.

Regarding Lou Reed’s classic album, Simon Doonan does go through track by track, sharing his thoughts. He’s got a boatload of inside scoops on the characters who inspired some of these gems. Plus Doonan’s clever, witty, and doesn’t shy away from dishing the dirt!

The thing that struck me over and over while reading Transformer, is what an incredible memory Simon Doonan has! TBH, I lived through many of the same events, but would be hard pressed to remember them all as vividly as Doonan does. (Though who knows, maybe I did run into an incognito David Bowie and Iman pushing a stroller in the Village, *sigh* I’ll never know.)

Transformer A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed is an entertaining and poignant walk down memory lane. Thank you Simon Doonan, for sharing your memories of the events surrounding the production, release, and aftermath of Lou Reed’s amazing album.

*Camp - the lie that tells the truth (definition courtesy of Mr. Doonan)