In a striking revelation that blends music history with literary legacy, author Sir Salman Rushdie has disclosed that Lou Reed originally wrote his legendary song “Walk On The Wild Side” for a musical adaptation of Nelson Algren’s novel of the same name. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, Rushdie shared rare insights into his friendship with The Velvet Underground frontman, the song’s unexpected origins, and a poignant moment involving novelist Nelson Algren.
Rushdie’s personal memories, paired with the historical weight of the song, give new texture to one of music’s most celebrated tracks.
Key Takeaways on Salman Rushdie’s Revelation About Lou Reed’s Musical Vision
- Lou Reed originally intended “Walk On The Wild Side” as the title track for a musical based on Nelson Algren’s novel.
- The musical collapsed before completion, prompting Reed to rewrite the lyrics while retaining the same music.
- The new version replaced Algren’s characters with real personalities from Andy Warhol’s Factory.
- Rushdie shared deep personal admiration for Reed and selected the track for Desert Island Discs.
- He recounted a near-encounter with Nelson Algren, who died the very day Rushdie was meant to meet him.
- Rushdie recently released The Eleventh Hour, his first fiction work in nearly three years.
- His career remains marked by celebrated novels, the 1989 fatwa controversy, and the 2022 knife attack that left him blind in one eye.
Rushdie Shares the Song’s Forgotten Beginning
During his Desert Island Discs appearance, Salman Rushdie reflected on the surprising roots of “Walk On The Wild Side.” He explained that Lou Reed had composed the track for a planned musical based on Nelson Algren’s acclaimed novel. According to Rushdie, Reed had envisioned the song as the musical’s title number, closely tied to Algren’s characters and themes.
However, the musical never materialized. The project collapsed before it could enter production, leaving Reed with a completed song whose lyrics no longer suited the now-abandoned stage adaptation. Rushdie revealed that after the musical dissolved, Reed preserved the original melody but rewrote the lyrics entirely. Instead of Algren’s characters, the final version highlighted figures from Andy Warhol’s Factory, infusing the track with the countercultural energy that later defined it.
A Friendship Rooted in Admiration
Rushdie described with warmth how unlikely it seemed that he would one day become friends with someone he deeply admired in his youth. As a college student, he said he “worshipped The Velvet Underground,” never imagining he would one day have Lou Reed’s phone number.
This admiration made Reed’s revelations all the more meaningful, offering Rushdie not only an insider’s perspective on the legendary musician’s creative process but also a personal connection to a figure he once idolized from afar.
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On the radio programme, Rushdie chose “Walk On The Wild Side” as one of his Desert Island Discs, alongside Bob Dylan’s “Blowin In The Wind” and The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” reflecting the deep influence these songs have had on him.
The Day Rushdie Almost Met Nelson Algren
In one of the most emotional accounts of the interview, Rushdie revisited the day he almost met Nelson Algren. The Chicago author had reviewed Midnight’s Children positively in the Chicago Tribune when it was first published. Rushdie was later invited to a housewarming party Algren was hosting, and friends encouraged him to come along, convinced the novelist would want to meet him.
But tragedy intervened. As Rushdie travelled toward the gathering, news emerged that Algren had died suddenly of a massive heart attack. Guests arriving early discovered him collapsed on the rug in the centre of the room, the party fully prepared around him. The moment stayed with Rushdie as a haunting reminder of how narrowly their meeting was missed.
A New Literary Release
Earlier this month, Rushdie published The Eleventh Hour, a new collection of stories set in locations ranging from Bombay neighbourhoods to English universities. The book marks his first return to fiction in nearly three years, adding another significant title to his body of work.
Known for novels such as Midnight’s Children, which won the Booker Prize, and Quichotte, which was shortlisted for the same award, Rushdie remains one of the most influential literary voices of his generation.
A Life Marked by Creativity and Controversy
Rushdie’s career has not been without turmoil. His 1988 novel The Satanic Verses sparked fierce controversy, leading to a fatwa issued in 1989 by Iran’s then-leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. The decree forced Rushdie into years of hiding, though Iran later stated it would no longer enforce it, allowing him greater freedom of movement over the past twenty-five years.
In 2022, Rushdie survived a brutal knife attack while speaking at the Chautauqua Institution in New York state. The assault left him blind in one eye, yet he continues to write and speak publicly, maintaining his voice in global literature.
Reflecting on an Extraordinary Creative Legacy
The intertwined stories of Lou Reed, Nelson Algren, and Salman Rushdie reveal a compelling narrative about music, literature, and the creative paths that almost converged. Rushdie’s account sheds new light on one of rock’s most iconic songs, giving audiences a rare glimpse of the artistic process and the personal histories behind it.
By recounting the song’s origins, the abandoned musical, his admiration for Reed, and the emotional near-meeting with Algren, Rushdie deepens our understanding of a cultural landmark that continues to resonate across generations.
FAQs on Salman Rushdie’s Revelation About Lou Reed’s ‘Walk On The Wild Side’
1. What did Salman Rushdie reveal about Lou Reed’s song ‘Walk On The Wild Side’?
Salman Rushdie revealed that Lou Reed originally wrote the song as the title track for an unrealized musical based on Nelson Algren’s novel.
2. Why did Lou Reed rewrite the lyrics of ‘Walk On The Wild Side’?
Reed rewrote the lyrics after the planned Nelson Algren musical collapsed, replacing the novel’s characters with personalities from Andy Warhol’s Factory.
3. How was Nelson Algren connected to Salman Rushdie?
Algren reviewed Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children and was set to meet him, but died of a heart attack on the day of the planned gathering.
4. What book did Salman Rushdie recently release?
Rushdie recently released The Eleventh Hour, a collection of stories set across global locations, marking his first fiction work in nearly three years.
5. What major incident affected Salman Rushdie in 2022?
In 2022, Rushdie was attacked at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, leaving him blind in one eye.
