What do you think?
Rate this book
Transformer: A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed
In this funny and poignant memoir and cultural history, the television personality, columnist, and author of Drag pays homage to Lou Reed's groundbreaking album Transformer on its fiftieth anniversary and recalls its influence on his coming of age and coming out through glam rock.In November 1972, Lou Reed released his album, Transformer because he thought it was "dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people's love songs." That groundbreaking idea echoed with the times. That same year, Sweden was the first country to legalize gender-affirming surgery, and San Francisco struck down employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.Sometimes an artistic creation perfectly aligns with a broader social and political history, and Transformer--with the songs "Walk on the Wild Side," "Perfect Day," and "Vicious"--perfectly captured its time. "Walk on the Wild Side" was banned on radio across the country but became a massive hit when young people threatened to boycott stations that would not play it. The album's cover featured a high-contrast image of Lou, flaunting a new mascara'd glamrock incarnation, shot by legend Mick Rock, thereby underscoring his intention to create "a gay album."In Transformer, Doonan tells the story of how Lou Reed came to make the album with the help of David Bowie, and places its creation within the course of Reed's life. Doonan offers first-hand testimony of the album's impact on the LGBTQ+ community, recalling how it transformed his own life as a 20-year-old working class kid from Reading, England, who had just discovered the joys of London Glam Rock and was sparked by the artistic freedom of Warhol's The Factory. Transformer was a revelation--hearing Reed's songs, Doonan understood how the world was changing for him and his friends.A poignant, personal addition to modern music and LGBTQ+ history, Transformer captures a pivotal moment when those long silenced were finally given a voice. As transgender icon Candy Darling, highlighted in his lyrics, told Reed, "It's so nice to hear ourselves."Transformer includes approximatively 16 pages of black-and-white and color photos.
160 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2022
8 people are currently reading
275 people want to read
About the author
Simon Doonan
39 books106 followersWriter, fashionista, acclaimed window dresser and author Simon Doonan is the Creative Ambassador for Barneys New York. His books include Confessions of a Window Dresser, Soccer Style, Eccentric Glamour and Gay Men Don’t Get Fat. His memoir 'Beautiful People’ was turned into a BBC TV series starring Oscar-winners Olivia Coleman and Brenda Blethyn. Simon appears as a judge on the NBC television show Making It, co-hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
December 5, 2022
I read Transformer A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed a few months ago, and loved it so much I couldn’t resist buying the audio version. I’m so glad I did. The narrator, Nigel Pilkington, channels every ounce of Simon Doonan's humor, wit, and verve. Pilkington performs it all with just the right amount of camp*, and brings it all to life in the best way possible.
First thing I’ve got to tell you, don’t be misled by the title of this book. Simon Doonan gives us his take on a variety of pivotal events of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, and makes everything so entertaining. His anecdotes are fascinating, and the background info he pulls together sheds light on many important aspects of this time in our history.
Regarding Lou Reed’s classic album, Simon Doonan does go through track by track, sharing his thoughts. He’s got a boatload of inside scoops on the characters who inspired some of these gems. Plus Doonan’s clever, witty, and doesn’t shy away from dishing the dirt!
The thing that struck me over and over while reading Transformer, is what an incredible memory Simon Doonan has! TBH, I lived through many of the same events, but would be hard pressed to remember them all as vividly as Doonan does. (Though who knows, maybe I did run into an incognito David Bowie and Iman pushing a stroller in the Village, *sigh* I’ll never know.)
Transformer A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed is an entertaining and poignant walk down memory lane. Thank you Simon Doonan, for sharing your memories of the events surrounding the production, release, and aftermath of Lou Reed’s amazing album.
*Camp - the lie that tells the truth (definition courtesy of Mr. Doonan)
thank you to HarperOne via NetGalley for providing an ARC of Transformer for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
First thing I’ve got to tell you, don’t be misled by the title of this book. Simon Doonan gives us his take on a variety of pivotal events of the ‘60’s and ‘70’s, and makes everything so entertaining. His anecdotes are fascinating, and the background info he pulls together sheds light on many important aspects of this time in our history.
Regarding Lou Reed’s classic album, Simon Doonan does go through track by track, sharing his thoughts. He’s got a boatload of inside scoops on the characters who inspired some of these gems. Plus Doonan’s clever, witty, and doesn’t shy away from dishing the dirt!
The thing that struck me over and over while reading Transformer, is what an incredible memory Simon Doonan has! TBH, I lived through many of the same events, but would be hard pressed to remember them all as vividly as Doonan does. (Though who knows, maybe I did run into an incognito David Bowie and Iman pushing a stroller in the Village, *sigh* I’ll never know.)
Transformer A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed is an entertaining and poignant walk down memory lane. Thank you Simon Doonan, for sharing your memories of the events surrounding the production, release, and aftermath of Lou Reed’s amazing album.
*Camp - the lie that tells the truth (definition courtesy of Mr. Doonan)
thank you to HarperOne via NetGalley for providing an ARC of Transformer for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
January 10, 2023
I didn't learn anything new here, but on the other hand, it is like chatting with a friend about an artist and album one likes a lot.
November 9, 2022
What a gem! Doonan is a witty and perspicacious writer, Reed a fascinating and important subject. Not only a must-read for fans of Reed and Doonan, but also not to be missed by fans of Warhol, Glam Rock, The Velvet Underground, Bowie, transgenderism and homosexuality.
July 3, 2022
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review....
So, Simon Doonan wrote a book about Lou Reed's album Transformer, glam rock, Bowie, and the 70s. And it is fabulous. I mean, really quite fabulous.
Doonan explores the creation of Transformer and the swirling mélange of fashion, celebrity, and social change that preceded and resulted from the recording of this interesting work. Doonan doesn't write from above, he revels in sharing how he felt, what he wanted, and how it impacted him. This is a work made by someone who is both a fan of the subject and a canny narrator of oral history.
The book is short, to the point, and any digressions come back around to the point.
I devoured this book and I love it to pieces. It absolutely succeeds as a testimony to a particular time.
So, Simon Doonan wrote a book about Lou Reed's album Transformer, glam rock, Bowie, and the 70s. And it is fabulous. I mean, really quite fabulous.
Doonan explores the creation of Transformer and the swirling mélange of fashion, celebrity, and social change that preceded and resulted from the recording of this interesting work. Doonan doesn't write from above, he revels in sharing how he felt, what he wanted, and how it impacted him. This is a work made by someone who is both a fan of the subject and a canny narrator of oral history.
The book is short, to the point, and any digressions come back around to the point.
I devoured this book and I love it to pieces. It absolutely succeeds as a testimony to a particular time.
February 13, 2023
If you’re unfamiliar with Lou Reed’s music, this book may make you a fan. If you’re a fan, it may make you an obsessive. But more importantly, Doonan invites us to consider the interplay between artist, art, audience and environment and appreciate the attempt to do more, even if it leaves you wanting less. That is not a feeling you’ll have at the end of this brief volume, though, and I look forward to digging in to some of Doonan’s other work.
December 9, 2024
fans of bowie, lou , velvet goldmine or just non comformists in the music industry will enjoy
May 8, 2025
I’ve always been curious to learn about Lou Reed, and I love Simon Doonan’s writing, so this book was the perfect primer. Doonan offers so many interesting observations about not just Reed and the Transformer album but also David Bowie and Andy Warhol, LGBTQ+ topics and Doonan’s own experience growing up gay, and also cultural differences between the UK and the US re: drag, and more. I read this book in a day and loved it. Doonan makes learning about culture and history fun and interesting. His closing thoughts on current attitudes toward artists and people’s desire for them to be perfect citizens are particularly thought-provoking. I always want to know his take on any topic, because whether you agree or disagree with his opinions, he brings depth and wisdom.
July 19, 2022
Transformer: A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed by Simon Doonan far exceeded my expectations: as a memoir, as a bit of music history, as a piece of LGBTQ+ history, and as just plain enjoyment.
I have recently read a couple of books on Reed and came to this thinking it was going to be narrowly focused on Transformer (the album). The great thing Doonan does is to focus on it but use a wide lens. We get some memoir to help establish how many fans came to the album and what they had faced prior to this moment. We get Velvet Underground, Warhol, and that whole scene. We get Bowie, Bolan, and the making of the album, which includes the environment at the time. And so on. Without realizing it, we have a better understanding and appreciation for this period of Reed's career, glam rock in general, and the ways it empowered many LGBTQ+ young people who had felt at best marginalized and more often actually threatened.
We get all of that in a conversational style that will have you chuckle at points, shed a tear at times, and keep you engrossed throughout. I remember the album very well, I bought it shortly after its release, not one of the first to get it but one of the first in my junior high school. My music tastes have always been all over the place and while I didn't quite fit into the same situation as Doonan I was still one of those who often stood outside the crowd. Sometimes by choice, sometimes not. If you're of a similar age, this book will likely be a bit nostalgic for you.
I also found myself going online and looking up images from the past. I tend to make almost all of the books I read a multimedia project. In addition to the usual searches (Bowie, Reed, Sedgwick, Bolan, etc) I also was intrigued by a comment early in the book, about Brigitte Bardot's lips begetting Mick Jagger's lips. So there I was looking at pictures of Bardot and trying to make the connection. For what it is worth, I think I see what they mean but it doesn't seem quite as obvious to me. But the argument within which that comment lives makes a lot of sense (you'll need to read the book).
Highly recommended for any reader who enjoys any of the things I mention in the first paragraph. And those who just love nostalgic books that are just plain fun.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
I have recently read a couple of books on Reed and came to this thinking it was going to be narrowly focused on Transformer (the album). The great thing Doonan does is to focus on it but use a wide lens. We get some memoir to help establish how many fans came to the album and what they had faced prior to this moment. We get Velvet Underground, Warhol, and that whole scene. We get Bowie, Bolan, and the making of the album, which includes the environment at the time. And so on. Without realizing it, we have a better understanding and appreciation for this period of Reed's career, glam rock in general, and the ways it empowered many LGBTQ+ young people who had felt at best marginalized and more often actually threatened.
We get all of that in a conversational style that will have you chuckle at points, shed a tear at times, and keep you engrossed throughout. I remember the album very well, I bought it shortly after its release, not one of the first to get it but one of the first in my junior high school. My music tastes have always been all over the place and while I didn't quite fit into the same situation as Doonan I was still one of those who often stood outside the crowd. Sometimes by choice, sometimes not. If you're of a similar age, this book will likely be a bit nostalgic for you.
I also found myself going online and looking up images from the past. I tend to make almost all of the books I read a multimedia project. In addition to the usual searches (Bowie, Reed, Sedgwick, Bolan, etc) I also was intrigued by a comment early in the book, about Brigitte Bardot's lips begetting Mick Jagger's lips. So there I was looking at pictures of Bardot and trying to make the connection. For what it is worth, I think I see what they mean but it doesn't seem quite as obvious to me. But the argument within which that comment lives makes a lot of sense (you'll need to read the book).
Highly recommended for any reader who enjoys any of the things I mention in the first paragraph. And those who just love nostalgic books that are just plain fun.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
July 23, 2022
This was such a fun read! A walk down memory lane full of glam rock and Velvet Underground Nostalgia -- it is also (excuse the pun) a walk on the wild side in such an enjoyable trip! Look - any book that makes reference to Florence Henderson and "Wessonality" gets an A plus. Doonan's book is a blend of memoir of his life centered around Lou Reed and his album "Transformer.. We learn the author was in a Kim Carnes'' video for Bette Davis Eyes wearing a pirate shirt. We venture down many a rabbit hole in a good way and come back to Lou Reed. I loved his writing and had my other devices close by so I could pull up songs and videos he referenced along the way. I highly recommend this book for lovers of pop culture, glam rock, Velvet Underground, LGBTQ+ history, Andy Warhol, and of course Lou Reed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper One for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper One for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 1, 2023
Fun, dishy, and written with love.
October 31, 2022
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher HarperOne for an advanced copy of this memoir and study of the cultural impact of Lou Reed on the life of another gifted artist.
There are a lot of things said about the Velvet Underground. One of the most famous is and I paraphrase, "The Velvet Underground's first album didn't sell much, but everyone who bought one started a band." Many cite Lou Reed, founding member, singer, songwriter, unpleasant person, as a seminal influence on art, rock and being cool, not caring what others think, and letting them know it. Many claim to have been saved by rock & roll, Simon Doonan, writer, artist and fashionista has written about it. Transformer: A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed is a memoir of a young man finding the courage to be who he was from the music, the scene, and the styles that Lou Reed helped influence.
Simon Doonan was born and raised in Reading, England, a working-class town, which always left Doonan with a sense of not belonging. At the time being gay was illegal, and for a young man growing up and coming out, this made life a bit difficult. Being accepted by his parents, his father's discussion with him is most poignant, but still the future was bleak. Until London came calling and the fashion, the style and the music of David Bowie, and Marc Bolan began to play. And finally Lou Reed. His Transformer album was a gift he said, because "Dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people’s love songs". It was here that Doonan began a lifelong love of Lou Reed, and what his music meant.
A wonderful book about growing up, and growing in confidence, talent and art. Not just a memoir about Simon Doonan but a look at the cultural impact of Glam, Bowie, and a world that was finally a little more accepting of other people. Not that this is a hagiography about Lou Reed. No, Doonan is honest in that Reed could be a little, no lot of a jerk, and is quick to point that out. Maybe it was all the years of having to hide who he was, or all the years Reed knew that he had talent, but couldn't let it out, but yes Reed had a lot of problems. And yet he made an album that made people feel accepted. The writing is quite good, very personal and full of details that give a real sense to life in these United States to gays in the 70's to the 90's, Doonan's stories about AIDS really drive home the fear and the uncertainty.
A short book, but with plenty of impact and lots of stories, both about the scene and Doonan's experiences. Recommended for music fans, fans of creative people and maybe for people who don't know what they are, or even afraid of what they are. This world is making it harder and harder to be what are, it is good to read stories about people making it through, and finding allies in the strangest of places. Or in a song.
There are a lot of things said about the Velvet Underground. One of the most famous is and I paraphrase, "The Velvet Underground's first album didn't sell much, but everyone who bought one started a band." Many cite Lou Reed, founding member, singer, songwriter, unpleasant person, as a seminal influence on art, rock and being cool, not caring what others think, and letting them know it. Many claim to have been saved by rock & roll, Simon Doonan, writer, artist and fashionista has written about it. Transformer: A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock, and Loving Lou Reed is a memoir of a young man finding the courage to be who he was from the music, the scene, and the styles that Lou Reed helped influence.
Simon Doonan was born and raised in Reading, England, a working-class town, which always left Doonan with a sense of not belonging. At the time being gay was illegal, and for a young man growing up and coming out, this made life a bit difficult. Being accepted by his parents, his father's discussion with him is most poignant, but still the future was bleak. Until London came calling and the fashion, the style and the music of David Bowie, and Marc Bolan began to play. And finally Lou Reed. His Transformer album was a gift he said, because "Dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people’s love songs". It was here that Doonan began a lifelong love of Lou Reed, and what his music meant.
A wonderful book about growing up, and growing in confidence, talent and art. Not just a memoir about Simon Doonan but a look at the cultural impact of Glam, Bowie, and a world that was finally a little more accepting of other people. Not that this is a hagiography about Lou Reed. No, Doonan is honest in that Reed could be a little, no lot of a jerk, and is quick to point that out. Maybe it was all the years of having to hide who he was, or all the years Reed knew that he had talent, but couldn't let it out, but yes Reed had a lot of problems. And yet he made an album that made people feel accepted. The writing is quite good, very personal and full of details that give a real sense to life in these United States to gays in the 70's to the 90's, Doonan's stories about AIDS really drive home the fear and the uncertainty.
A short book, but with plenty of impact and lots of stories, both about the scene and Doonan's experiences. Recommended for music fans, fans of creative people and maybe for people who don't know what they are, or even afraid of what they are. This world is making it harder and harder to be what are, it is good to read stories about people making it through, and finding allies in the strangest of places. Or in a song.
August 17, 2023
I think every old gay should be given a stipend or something to write a quick little book about their favorite album.
Books a little less about the album and more of a time machine that lets you step back in time and appreciate the context of the album and the impact on the people who loved it
I think Doonan could have given himself more pages especially in the chapter that talked about the album. Also mildly bitter that of the two songs deemed “filler”—“Wagon Wheel” and “Hangin’ Around”—the latter was relegated to like a couple of sentences and the former got a more fleshed out paragraph since “Wagon Wheel” is my least favorite song on the album and “Hangin�� Around” is one of my favorites lol
But overall well-done and I think Doonan did a particularly good job of making you feel like you’re there with him experiencing it. “Gay super-fan writes a book about the thing they are a super-fan of” should be an entire genre because I hadn’t listened to this album in-full until I heard of the book and it’s really good lol. (I specify gay because straight people shouldn’t be allowed to do that (joke).)
Books a little less about the album and more of a time machine that lets you step back in time and appreciate the context of the album and the impact on the people who loved it
I think Doonan could have given himself more pages especially in the chapter that talked about the album. Also mildly bitter that of the two songs deemed “filler”—“Wagon Wheel” and “Hangin’ Around”—the latter was relegated to like a couple of sentences and the former got a more fleshed out paragraph since “Wagon Wheel” is my least favorite song on the album and “Hangin�� Around” is one of my favorites lol
But overall well-done and I think Doonan did a particularly good job of making you feel like you’re there with him experiencing it. “Gay super-fan writes a book about the thing they are a super-fan of” should be an entire genre because I hadn’t listened to this album in-full until I heard of the book and it’s really good lol. (I specify gay because straight people shouldn’t be allowed to do that (joke).)
September 5, 2022
A love letter to Lou Reed and his Transformer album, on the 50th anniversary of its release. While I'd never heard this before, Reed apparently explained in archived material that he made Transformer because he thought it was "dreary for gay people to have to listen to straight people's love songs." Author Doonan explores the effect this album had on him, and the greater LGBTQ+ community, along with Reed's career before and after.
The charm of this book is all in the writing: it's simply a fun, fabulous read. Regardless of what your sexual orientation or pronouns might be, and whether or not you like Reed's music, Doonan is wildly entertaining (while being slying informing) in a charming life of the party sort of way. A great addition to the already sizable Warhol/Reed/Velvet Underground/glam rock cultural canon.
The charm of this book is all in the writing: it's simply a fun, fabulous read. Regardless of what your sexual orientation or pronouns might be, and whether or not you like Reed's music, Doonan is wildly entertaining (while being slying informing) in a charming life of the party sort of way. A great addition to the already sizable Warhol/Reed/Velvet Underground/glam rock cultural canon.
December 25, 2023
I had absolutely no interest in reading about Lou Reed even after hearing a review of a new book titled Lou Reed King of New York… however… I have friends a bit older than me who were way ahead of their time in the ‘70’ regarding musicians so I recommended the book to them. One of those friends then recommended Transformer… so I figured… what the heck… I’ll check it out… I’m so glad I did… it’s a great read and that coming from one who is still not a Lou Reed fan… regardless I recommend to all… it was an education in gay culture to one who has been there for years!!!
November 9, 2022
It's a gem, a short book which is moving, provocative, and makes you think. A well written book about the impact of an album and a musical moviment on the life of a boy.
I don't belong to the generation of Glam or who was in their teens when Transformer was out but I know how music can change your life.
A must read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
I don't belong to the generation of Glam or who was in their teens when Transformer was out but I know how music can change your life.
A must read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine
November 28, 2022
The collision of Simon Doonan (one of my favorites) and Transformer (a record that I love) was almost too good to be true and I’m happy to say that it didn’t disappoint in any way. Weaving his way through all that was gritty and glam and fabulous about this moment in time in a beautiful and engaging way, Simon helped to clarify why this album still means as much today as it did 50 (!) years ago.
January 4, 2023
Although it's a brief book, Doonan combines personal memoir - he's a gay man who was 20 when TRANSFORMER was released in 1972 - with history and aesthetic criticism. While his book's look back at the Warhol Factory isn't groundbreaking (especially with the huge amount written about Warhol, the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed), the fact that Doonan was on the ground at the time while not an insider in this world gives the book a fresh perspective.
May 6, 2023
A love letter to Lou Reed, David Bowie and Glam Rock for making music for and about the gay community, drag queens and transvestites. The love Noonan has for his subject is infectious and makes the book a fun read. I didn’t learn much I didn’t really already know and Noonan makes clear his book is not about providing a critical lense of Reed or Bowie but about communicating how much it meant to him.
August 30, 2025
Good balance of personal tales and context. I love people exploring what the media they love says about them <3. I like Lou Reed but I've never been compelled to learn more about him outside of a few albums, but this book sparked my interest. If nothing else it made me want to learn more about whatever the hell Andy Warhol had going on. I have a book about Jackie Curtis too! I might queue that up after my library reads :)
February 23, 2023
This would be a five star book for me if so much of the subject matter wasn't such a downer. (Five stars for me is a guaranteed reread. If you're really down with Reed than it's a definite recommendation for you. And there's still the possibility that I might reread it. I did stay up past midnight to finish it.)
November 19, 2022
I loved TRANSFORMER: A Story of Glitter, Glam Rock & Loving Lou Reed. It's beautifully written, witty, and fascinating! It's always a pleasure to read a book by Simon Doonan. For music loving friends, this would be a great gift to yourself.
August 15, 2024
A lovely little slim volume about glam, Bowie, glitter, gay, Holly, Candy, Andy, and most importantly Lou Reed’s Transformer album and what it meant to that marvelous sprite Simon Doonan. A tiny social history of a large cultural time.
September 21, 2025
Even if I'm not a fan on something, I can enjoy someone else's enthusiasm. I am too young to have known the Velvet Underground in their heyday and so can't truly appreciate their impact. Seeing Lou through Doonan's eyes made me like him more. The book is a snapshot of gay life at a certain time wrapped up in a tribute to glam rock. The narrator channels Doonan's love of the subject so well I don't think the author could have done better.
December 8, 2022
Far from a "naff" read (or listen), Doonan's homage to all things "glamdrogynous" is a fabulously campy mess. Fun, fun, fun!!!
December 22, 2022
love love love
simon doonan is a creative genius and great writer. no one describes this period in history as accurately and artistically. didn’t want it to ever end
simon doonan is a creative genius and great writer. no one describes this period in history as accurately and artistically. didn’t want it to ever end
March 31, 2023
100% made for me
April 1, 2023
Learned a lot about a musical era I was aware of and influenced many of my favorite bands.
June 6, 2023
This was so fun to read but I can just imagine the editor with the manuscript and a Google Translate tab open bc of all of the French
August 5, 2023
Not the best analysis of the album Transformer, but Doonan uses the album and Lou's life as a great framework for the gay history of that era.
October 2, 2024
rip lou reed i love you
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews