lou reed ve kungfu // canavarlar

nuri

http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=325

http://www.loureed.com/new/news/kungfu.html

This is the story of two survivors – one a rock and roll legend, the other a tai chi
master. One has survived the mean streets of New York, a career of rock n’ roll. The other
came from grinding years of hardship and poverty in rural China, struggling to perfect his
art, sleeping in the cold winter streets, surviving the Cultural Revolution and a lonely
sea change coming to the new land and new life of America. They are Lou Reed and Ren
Guangyi. Together now in NYC they are student and teacher, both masters of their craft,
both artists exploring the higher realms of their respective arts, music and Tai Chi Chuan
(a.k.a. taijiquan.) With Ren Guangyi as Lou Reed’s tai chi master, it is both a
traditional relationship and an untraditional one as well. It is also a journey of
friendship, discovery and a mutual love of martial arts.

Lou Reed’s cult status as the godfather of punk, vanguard of the avant-garde, and rock n’
roll survivor has made him the stuff of legend. He was the main force and songwriter of
the seminal (and Andy Warhol-produced) band the Velvet Underground whose subject matter
and themes changed the course of music forever. Lou Reed rests on no rock n’ roll laurels.
This past Halloween he performed at UCLA at a Hal Willner produced Halloween
performance-art extravaganza devoted to Poe; he was joined onstage by his teacher Ren
Guangyi, who performed tai chi sword with Reed’s musical accompaniment. Reed’s latest CD
based on this work was recently released this winter. It is called “The Raven.” He is also
active in music and politics, having played for various presidents in various situations
and benefits, earning the French Legion of Honor Award and a place in the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame.