Lou Reed a 'monster' claims new biography

Lou Reed has been called a 'monster' by the man who wrote his biography.

A biography detailing the life of Velvet Underground founder Lou Reed reveals a darker side to the rock legend.

Written by Howard Sounes, who interviewed 140 of the late singers closest friends, industry insiders, band mates, celebrities, associates and lovers, the book details Reed's mental health struggles, bisexuality, three failed marriages and an addiction to drugs and alcohol.

The author revealed he was not the man many fans thought him to be, describing him as a "monster".

"I loved his music, but you have to go where the story goes," Sounes told The Daily Beast.

"The obituaries were a bit too kind - he was really a very unpleasant man. A monster really. I think truly the word monster is applicable."

Notes from the Velvet Underground: The Life of Lou Reed is filled with unpleasant tales of violent outbursts including an account from Bettye Kronstad, who married Reed in 1973.

"He would, like, pin you up against a wall," she said. "Tussle you. Hit you ... shake you ... And then one time he actually gave me a black eye."

Another story told by Paul Morrissey, who was close to Reed during his Velvet Underground years, was less than complimentary about the singer.

"You need a good title like The Hateful Bitch [or] The Worst Person Who Ever Lived," Morrissey said.

"Something that says this isn't a biography of a great human being, because he was not ... He was a stupid, disgusting, awful human being."

- nzherald.co.nz