Conversation so far:
What was Lou Reed's addiction?
Throughout the 1970s Reed was a heavy user of methamphetamine and alcohol.
When did he get over it?
From around 1979 Reed began to wean himself off drugs.
What happen next?
The Bells (1979) featured jazz trumpeter Don Cherry.
Around this period Reed also appeared as a sleazy record producer in Paul Simon's film One-Trick Pony.
Are there any other interesting aspects about this article?
Metal Machine Music (1975) was an hour of modulated feedback and guitar effects.
Critics interpreted it as a gesture of contempt.
What was the commercial decline?
an attempt to break his contract with RCA or to alienate his less sophisticated fans.
Reed claimed that the album was a genuine artistic effort.
How did that go?
Lester Bangs declared it "genius", though also psychologically disturbing.
The album was reportedly returned to stores by the thousands and was withdrawn after a few weeks.
What else stood out?
At this time his lover was a transgender woman, Rachel, mentioned in the dedication of "Coney Island Baby.

Question: What else was known about him?
Self-contained rewrite: Besides Lou Reed's lover, Rachel, what was known about Reed?