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| SU Alumni Monthly E-Newsletter |
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| May 2007 | Vol. 5, Issue 5 |
Arents Takes a ‘Walk on the Wild Side'
“We have an alchemist in our company tonight,” Bono announced to the crowd. “Lou Reed not only inhabits his chosen universe, but he also creates it. Lou has turned the cosmic litter of this city into gold.” Bono, U2's irrepressible front man, was among a parade of luminaries who had come to New York 's way-beyond-hip W hotel in Union Square on April 26 to fete the “Mad Monk of Rock” at Syracuse University 's Arents Award Celebration. Sharing the podium with Bono was performance artist Laurie Anderson, Reed's longtime partner; Mary Karr, Jesse Truesdell Peck Professor of Literature at SU; and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Oscar Hijuelos, who compared Reed's artistry to the best writing done by William S. Burroughs. For those wondering about Reed's alchemy, Bono elaborated. “The real cure, the real remedy for people who think they're great is to hang out with true greatness, and that's Lou Reed,” he said, posed for a toast. “That's why I try to hang out in his universe whenever I can.”
It was no stretch to call this party a star-studded bash. The presence of Reed, Bono, and David Bowie earned it that much. But the guest list did not quit: Marty Bandier '62, chair and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing; hotelier Ian Schrager '68, who later hosted a rooftop after-party at his fabulous Gramercy Park Hotel; and photographer/filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, whose 1998 biodoc, Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart, provided screen clips for the celebration. Entertainment mogul Rick Dobbis '70 emceed the festivities, which took place just blocks from Max's Kansas City , where Reed played with the Velvet Underground in the group's glory days, including the final gig, some 35 years ago. As a recipient of SU's highest alumni award, the remarkably youthful Reed—a couple of hours of tai chi every day—joins an exclusive club that includes Ted Koppel '60, H'82, Dick Clark '51, William Safire '51, H'78 and a sweet list of astronauts, senators, artists, industrialists, and other overachievers. If recognition by the establishment was for many years a mutual avoidance situation for rock's most notorious iconoclast, it is something that is happening with some frequency these days, a sign of staying power and influence. At 65, the singer/guitarist has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received the Chevalier Commander of Arts and Letters from the French government, won a Grammy, and performed for the Pope. Now this. “As a social psychologist, I can't resist thinking a bit about why this community of Lou's friends, fellow artists, and fellow alumni has come together tonight,” observed SU Chancellor and President Nancy Cantor . She praised Reed's courage, compassion, engagement, and honesty, characterizing him as a “timeless poet” and “muse for us all.” “Our mission is to instill the value of meaningful engagement to make things better … and to understand that it may take a ‘walk on the wild side' to do it,” she continued, quoting Reed's 1972 solo breakout hit. It is a little known fact that Reed majored in English at SU, and less known still that he graduated with honors in 1964. While exploring art, music, and philosophy, he studied with the charismatic writer and teacher Delmore Schwartz, whose short story, “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities,” was a shaping force in Reed's simple, colloquial approach to language. Velvet Underground signature tunes, including “Heroin” and “Waiting for the Man,” both written by Reed while at Syracuse, are prime examples. Schwartz infiltrates Reed's creative sensibility as a songwriter, vocalist, poet and photographer, an aesthetic complement and counterweight to Andy Warhol, who produced the Underground. On behalf of the University, Mary Karr presented Reed with a rare, autographed first-edition of In Dreams Begin Responsibilities (1938), a collection in which the title story appeared. The typically stoic musician was visibly moved. “I will always love the University for giving me the opportunity to study from him,” said the gravel-voice New Yorker, casually dressed for the occasion in a rust-colored jacket, white button-down, and green slacks. “Delmore inspired me to write, and, to this day, I draw inspiration from his stories, poems, and essays. His titles, alone, were a writer's dream.” And still, there were encores. SU's Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive provided a recording of Schwartz reading his poem, “At a Solemn Musick.” Another? Announcement of The Lou Reed/Delmore Schwartz Scholarship, beginning Fall 2007, to benefit an English major studying creative writing. “The student has become the teacher,” said Arts and Sciences dean Cathryn R. Newton, referencing Reed. “We take great pride in the continuation of the legacy passed down from Delmore to you, and now the next generation.” Karr, best-known for her memoir, The Liar's Club , pointed out that SU has a history of taking chances on crazy outlaw poets. “Lou has influenced the American vernacular in a way that's affected every poet who has come after him,” she said. “He unknowingly was a professor of mine.” Amid the frequent standing ovations and the chants of “Loooouuuu,” bouncing off the walls, Laurie Anderson provided a sharp contrast in tone with heartfelt interpretations of two Schwartz poems, “The Heavy Bear Who Goes With Me” and “All of Us Turning Away for Solace.” Perhaps the evening belonged as much to Schwartz, who died suddenly in 1966, as it did to Reed. “I hope, Delmore, if you're listening, you are finally proud, as well,” concluded Reed. “My name is finally linked to yours in the part of Heaven reserved for Brooklyn poets.” |
