Magic and loss: Patti Smith reflects on her late friend, Lou Reed

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Patti Smith is remembering her friend, inspiration and fellow poet-musician Lou Reed, who died Sunday at age 71.

Smith tells The Associated Press the first time she saw Reed in person was in 1970. She says he and the Velvet Underground were performing at the Manhattan club Max’s Kansas City. She says she made it her business to study him.

Interviewed by telephone, Smith says she is pleased by the global impact of Reed’s passing and by the stories of how his songs affected people’s lives.

Smith cited “Pale Blue Eyes” as a personal favourite. She says the ballad reminded her of her late husband, guitarist Fred “Sonic” Smith.

She also praised Reed’s romantic “Perfect Day.” She sings it often in concert and finds herself moved when audiences join in.