Lou Reed: Transformer Album (1972)

Reed's Bowie-Ronson Revival

Lou Reed’s Transformer LP, was released in the UK on November 8, 1972, on RCA Victor Records (catalogue: LSP-4807). This 11-track glam rock masterpiece, produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson—both ardent Velvet Underground fans—was Reed’s second solo outing after his debut’s commercial flop. Anchored by the provocative “Walk On The Wild Side” (touching on taboo topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, prostitution, and drug use), it also delivered enduring classics like “Perfect Day” and “Satellite Of Love.” Mixed at Trident Studios, London, and mastered by Arun Chakraverty, the album’s iconic cover—shot by Mick Rock—was an accidental over-exposure he embraced, while the back featured Karl Stoecker’s provocative image of model Gala Mitchell and Ernie Thormahlen (with a strategically placed banana). Pressed by RCA’s Washington plant and printed by Clout & Baker Ltd., it peaked at No. 13 on the UK Albums Chart for 54 weeks across multiple runs. Issued in laminated sleeve (1st pressing), matte sleeve, Dynaflex, Shorepak, and 2nd cut laminated variants, plus cassette, it’s a landmark of Reed’s solo career and glam’s golden age.

Album Overview

Release Details:

Label: RCA Victor Records (UK).

Formats: Vinyl LP (laminated sleeve 1st pressing, matte sleeve, Dynaflex, Shorepak, laminated 2nd cut), cassette; later CD reissues, with bonus tracks.

℗ & ©: 1972 RCA Records. Mixed at Trident Studios. Pressed by RCA Records Pressing Plant, Washington, UK. Printed by Clout & Baker Ltd. Manufactured by RCA Ltd.

Notes: Published by Warlock Music. Cover photo by Mick Rock (over-exposed accident).

UK Release Formats and Track Listings

Transformer was released in the UK in 1972 in multiple formats, all with the same 11-track sequence:

Vinyl LP, Laminated Sleeve, 1st Pressing

(Catalogue: LSP-4807):

Side A:

Vicious (2:55)

Andy's Chest (3:17)

Perfect Day (3:43)

Hangin' 'Round (3:39)

Walk On The Wild Side (4:12)

Side B:

Make Up (2:58)

Satellite Of Love (3:40)

Wagon Wheel (3:19)

New York Telephone Conversation (1:31)

I'm So Free (3:07)

Goodnight Ladies (4:19)

Packaging: Laminated sleeve.

Vinyl LP, variations: (identical tracklist)

Vinyl LP, Matte Sleeve (Catalogue: LSP 4807 / LSP-4807)

Vinyl LP, Dynaflex (Catalogue: LSP-4807)

Vinyl LP, Shorepak Sleeve (Catalogue: LSP 4807)

Vinyl LP, Laminated, 2nd Cut (Catalogue: LSP-4807 / LSP 4807)

Cassette, Album (Catalogue: PK 2095):

Program 1: Make Up / Satellite Of Love / Wagon Wheel / New York Telephone Conversation / I'm So Free / Perfect Day

Program 2: Vicious / Andy's Chest / Walk On The Wild Side / Hangin' 'Round / Goodnight Ladies

Packaging: 2-panel inlay, grey cassette with orange labels. Dolby System. “MM” price code on cover (one variant without).

Country Variations:

The album was released globally some with minor sleeve variations

Production and Context:

Produced by David Bowie and Mick Ronson. Arranged by David Bowie, Lou Reed, Mick Ronson (songs); Mick Ronson (string/bass brass); Herbie Flowers (tuba on B6). Musicians: Lou Reed (guitar), Mick Ronson (guitar, piano, recorder, backing vocals), Herbie Flowers (bass, double bass, tuba), Klaus Voormann (bass), Ronnie Ross (baritone saxophone), John Halsey/Barry DeSouza/Ritchie Dharma (drums), David Bowie/Mick Ronson/Thunder Thighs (backing vocals). Mixed by David Bowie, Ken Scott, Lou Reed, Mick Ronson, Mike Stone. Mastered by Arun Chakraverty. Transformer was Reed’s glam breakthrough after Velvet Underground, with Bowie’s influence. Released amid Ziggy Stardust fame, it competed with Roxy Music and T. Rex.

Singles Released and Chart Performance

Transformer spawned two singles:

“Walk On The Wild Side” / “Perfect Day” (RCA 2303):

November 24, 1972

No. 10 UK, 9 weeks.

“Satellite Of Love” (RCA 2318):

March 2, 1973.

No Chart Data

Album Chart Performance

Transformer charted across multiple runs in the UK:

Peak: No. 13.

Total Weeks on Chart: 54.

Run 1: 2 weeks (April 21–28, 1973): No. 36, No. 34.

Run 2: 9 weeks (May 12–July 7, 1973): No. 33, No. 20, No. 31, No. 31, No. 27, No. 17, No. 20, No. 28, No. 24.

Run 3: 13 weeks (July 21–October 13, 1973): No. 28, No. 45, No. 34, No. 39, No. 27, No. 25, No. 16, No. 13, No. 20, No. 17, No. 24, No. 21, No. 34.

Run 4: 1 week (November 10, 1973): No. 48.

1982 re-released on both formats

Run 5: 2 weeks (July 3–10, 1982): No. 93, No. 91.

Run 6: 1 week (September 23, 1995): No. 85.

Run 7: 4 weeks (October 4–25, 1997): No. 77, No. 89, No. 87, No. 92.

Run 8: 4 weeks (February 7–28, 1998): No. 50, No. 67, No. 82, No. 98.

Run 9: 3 weeks (April 11–25, 1998): No. 64, No. 49, No. 61.

Run 10: 2 weeks (September 12–19, 1998): No. 91, No. 96.

Run 11: 4 weeks (March 27–April 17, 1999): No. 41, No. 32, No. 56, No. 86.

Run 12: 2 weeks (October 6–13, 2001): No. 16, No. 29.

Run 13: 2 weeks (October 9–16, 2004): No. 45, No. 78.

Run 14: 3 weeks (July 1–15, 2006): No. 89, No. 73, No. 86.

Run 15: 2 weeks (November 9–16, 2013): No. 35, No. 90.

Legacy and Collectibility

Transformer is Reed’s glam landmark, with “Walk On The Wild Side” a cultural icon. Original UK 1st pressing laminated vinyls fetch £20–£50 on eBay/Discogs, with matte/Dynaflex/Shorepak (£15–£40) and cassettes (£5–£15) rarer. Verify catalogue LSP-4807.

Streams on Spotify via reissues preserve the analog edge. This LP is a must-have for Reed fans and glam collectors.

Do you have Transformer in your vinyl stack? Which track transforms you? Share in the comments!

Sources

Information is drawn from my personal knowledge and supplemented by web sources, including Prince Vault, Discogs, 45cat, AllMusic, Rate Your Music, Wikipedia, BBC Official Charts Company, Billboard Chart History and YouTube