Transformer is the second solo studio album by Lou Reed The album is considered an influential landmark of the glam rock genre, anchored by Reed's most successful single, “Walk on the Wild Side” which touched on then-controversial topics of sexual orientation, gender identity, prostitution, and drug use. Produced by David Bowie and arranged by Mick Ronson, the album was released in November 1972 by RCA Records. Though Reed's self-titled debut album had been unsuccessful, Bowie had been an early fan of Reed's former band The Velvet Underground, and used his own fame to promote Reed, who had not yet achieved mainstream success. Available here on standard black vinyl (reissued 11/17/2017).