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Singer Lou Reed has been the subject of an Internet hoax claiming he died of a drug overdose this week, The New York Post reports.
Reed, 57, was subject of a bogus e-mail that was made to look like a Reuters news service story. It began circulating Monday, claiming the former Velvet Underground member and revered singer-songwriter had died of a Demerol overdose in the New York home he shares with performance artist Laurie Anderson.
The story was headlined "Lou Reed, 57, Succumbs to Addictions". It declared "Reed was found dead in his apartment last night, apparently from an overdose of the painkiller Demerol," the report said.
Although the story was authentic enough to fool many Reed fans who received the e-mail, the e-mail did include the implausible "fact" that former U.S. Secretary Of State Madeleine Albright was a big fan of the edgy singer's and regularly attended his shows.
Reed's office was inundated with confirmation calls and swiftly denied the story, but The Post said several radio stations went with the story and broadcast it live.
Reed is in fact working in Amsterdam and is in good health, The Post said. (More on Lou Reed)