New York rock legend Lou Reed underwent a life-saving liver transplant in early May, The Times of London reports.
Reed’s wife, performance artist Laurie Anderson, told the publication that her husband nearly died.
“It’s as serious as it gets,” she said. “He was dying. You don’t get it for fun.”
Reed, 71, opted to have the surgery in Cleveland instead of New York “because the hospitals here are completely dysfunctional,” Anderson said.
Prior to the surgery, Reed canceled five concert dates, including performances at the Coachella Festival, citing “unavoidable complications.”
Anderson said her husband is excited for his ‘new life.’
“I don’t think he’ll ever totally recover from this, but he’ll certainly be back to doing [things] in a few months,” she told The Times.
Reed is best known for his role as a guitarist, singer and songwriter of The Velvet Underground, along with his successful solo career.