Rachel Humphreys
Rachel Humphreys | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Rachel Humphreys featured on the back cover of Lou Reed's 1974 album, Sally Can't Dance, in illustration by David Edward Byrd. Humphreys is depicted reflected in Reed's sunglasses. | |
| Born | October 18, 1952 |
| Died | January 20, 1990 (aged 37) Manhattan, New York, United States |
| Burial place | Potter's Field, Hart Island, New York, United States |
Rachel Humphreys was muse and lover to musician Lou Reed.[1] Their relationship has been described as seminal. Humphreys inspired lyrics, songs and artwork by Reed and accompanied him on tour during the mid-1970s.[2]
Humphreys was raised in Bridgeton, New Jersey and San Antonio, Texas. She was a trans woman[3] and reportedly of part Mexican Native descent.[4] She and Reed met at a nightclub in Greenwich Village in New York; Reed was instantly attracted to her.[3] Their relationship lasted from 1973 to 1977 and they lived together as a couple for a time.[5]
Humphrey and Reed's relationship is not well documented, but Humphreys is widely recognised as being the inspiration for the songs on the album Coney Island Baby. [5] Together, they explored the boundaries of gender roles. Humphreys used both male and female pronouns at different times and both Reed and Humphreys enjoyed wearing each other’s clothes.[4] Humphreys's role in Reed's life is subject to continuing interest from music and popular culture journalists.[6][4]
Humphreys died of AIDS in 1990 at age 37[7] at St. Clare's Hospital, New York City.[4]
References
- ^ "Rachel: Lou Reed's transsexual muse". DangerousMinds. 2013-02-06. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ "Out On Display #17: Lou Reed • V&A Blog". V&A Blog. 2015-05-06. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ a b "Rachel Humphreys, the transgender woman and Lou Reed's muse". 2020-11-30. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ a b c d "A Gender Variance Who's Who: Rachel Humphreys (1952 - 1990) hairdresser, muse to Lou Reed". A Gender Variance Who's Who. 2019-01-31. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ a b Simakovsky, Rob. "New York Series: Lou Reed "Coney Island Baby" - NYS Music". Retrieved 2021-08-22.
- ^ "Rachel Humphries & Lou Reed - About A Girl (podcast)". Listen Notes. 2021. Retrieved 2021-08-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Lou Reed's 'live-in boyfriend' Rachel Humphreys died of AIDS". canoe. Retrieved 2021-08-22.