Transformer

In this funny and poignant memoir and cultural history, the television personality, columnist, and author of Dragpays 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.”

Transformer includes approximatively 16 pages of black-and-white and color photos.

About the Author

Simon Doonan was born in Reading in 1952, before emigrating to America in the 1970's. Simon is a style commentator with over 30 years experience in the world of fashion. He is a regular guest on Vh1, America's Next Top Model Full Frontal Fashion and Sirius Satellite Radio. As Creative Director of Barneys New York, he is responsible for all aspects of Barneys' image. He is best known for his controversial window displays, which have been a trademark of Barneys since 1985, and for his provocative "Simon Says" column in the New York Observer.

He is a contributor to Harper's Bazaar and the author of Confessions of a Window Dresser and Wacky Chicks. Wacky Chicks reached number 9 on the LA Times best sellers list. He lives in New York City with his partner, designer Jonathan Adler.