VU was, of course, trailblazing (The first Velvet Underground album sold something like 30,000 copies in the first five years - and I think every one of those 30,000 people started a band. Brian Eno), and I liked his solo stuff from the '90s too - but let's not forget his Oscar-worthy performance as the jive-ass pop producer in One-Trick Pony!
You will be missed, Mr. Reed.
Peter