[2] His grandmother began teaching him to play the organ when he was a young child, and before he was out of elementary school, he formed small local bands.

As a member of Guns N' Roses, Reed has become well known for his keyboard, piano, and backing vocal work on such songs as "Estranged", "Live and Let Die", "November Rain", "Garden of Eden", "Civil War", "Yesterdays", and "Knockin' On Heaven's Door".

In addition to playing keyboards or piano, Reed frequently provides backup on percussion and vocals during live Guns N' Roses performances of older songs, such as "Mr. Brownstone", "Nightrain", "Welcome to the Jungle" and "Rocket Queen".

It has also been confirmed that the unfinished demo that did not make the cut on Chinese Democracy, called "Silkworms", was written by Reed and the band's other keyboardist Chris Pitman.

The Hookers & Blow lineup also consists of former Type O Negative and current Danzig and Quiet Riot drummer Johnny Kelly, W.A.S.P.

For his work with Hookers & Blow, Reed was named Outstanding Keyboardist of the Year at the 2007 Rock City Awards ("Rockies").

[12] Reed played keyboard on the 2019 album You're Welcome by Cokie The Clown, a solo effort by NOFX frontman Fat Mike.

[6] In 2005, Reed took the unusual step of seeking admission to a college fraternity well after the traditional age of inductees, and on January 22, 2006, was admitted to the Cornell University chapter of Zeta Psi.