David Bowie and Morrissey lead tributes to late singer Lou Reed

Bowie described Reed as an 'old friend' and 'master'

Lou Reed and David Bowie attend the opening of Reed's photography exhibition in New York City, 2006. (Andrew H Walker/Getty Images)

David Bowie has led tributes to US singer Lou Reed, who died yesterday aged 71.

In a post on his Facebook page, Bowie referred to the former Velvet Underground frontman as an “old friend” and “master”.

Morrissey also wrote a heartfelt tribute to Reed, whose literary agent said he died of a “liver-related ailment”.

Writing on his "True to You" website, Morrissey said life was a “ pigsty” without Reed’s presence.

“No words to express the sadness at the death of Lou Reed. He had been there all of my life. He will always be pressed to my heart, “ he said.

“Thank God for those, like Lou, who move within their own laws, otherwise imagine how dull the world would be. I knew the Lou of recent years and he was always full of good heart. His music will outlive time itself.

“We are all timebound, but today, with the loss of liberating Lou, life is a pigsty."

The Who also paid tribute to Reed, tweeting: “RIP Lou Reed. Walk on the peaceful side.” Iggy Pop said it was “devastating news”.

Reed’s former Velvet Underground band mate John Cale wrote on his website: “The world has lost a fine songwriter and poet…I’ve lost my ‘school-yard buddy.’”

Reed’s last tweet, posted yesterday, said “The Door” with a link to a picture of a door with a poster of the singer and the words “ Papa Loves Baby” underneath. The tweet has since been retweeted over 3,000 times by fans.

Andrew Wylie, Reed’s literary agent, said the musician, who died at his home in Long Island on Sunday morning, had not been well for a “few months”.