dangerousminds.net – Posted by Marc Campbell
The source of inspiration for most of the songs on Coney Island Baby, Lou Reed’s transvestite lover and muse Rachel (Tommy) has always been somewhat of a mystery figure. In all that’s been written about Reed, Rachel is barely a footnote. Despite playing a significant romantic role in Reed’s life and even touring with him during the mid-70’s, Rachel managed to keep her private life private. Even details of her death are vague. She is rumored to have died in the early 90s.