The Velvet Underground

American rock band

The American rock band Velvet Underground was founded in 1965 by Lou Reed (vocals and guitar) and John Cale (bass, viola, piano and organ). Sterling Morrison (guitar) and Maureen Tucker (drums) completed the group.
During their time the group experienced little commercial success, but the group was acknowledged as one of the most important rock bands of the 1960s.

Reed and Cale

Lou Reed was the son of an accountant and grew up on Long Island, New York. He studied literature and drama at Syracuse University (New York). After his study Reed worked as a staff songwriter for Pickwick Records in New York.
The Welshman John Cale came to New York in 1963 on a Leonard Bernstein scholarship to study composition. He had performed with John Cage and LaMonte Young, but was increasingly attracted to rock & roll. Reed and Cale were both interested in fusing avant-garde, modern literature and rock & roll. The name "Velvet Underground" was taken from the title of a paperback book about deviant sex.

Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground met painter Andy Warhol who assumed management of the group. Warhol incorporated the band into his mixed-media project "The Exploding Plastic Inevitable". Warhol introduced the German actress and singer Nico to the band.
In spring 1966 Velvet's first album was recorded, but the album was released a year later. This Album contained classics as: "Heroin", "Venus in Furs", "Black Angel's Death Song" and "Sunday Morning". Warhol designed the famous "banana" record sleeve.
The album did not sell very well, because the music was to daring to fit onto commercial radio.

White Heat/White Light

In 1967 Nico left the band and a new record "White Heat/White Light" was recorded. This album contained a 17-minute lasting "Sister Ray". After this album John Cale left the band. Doug Yule was recruited to take Cale's place.

What Goes On

"Velvet Underground" was the group's third album. This time more conventional rock arrangements were recorded. "Pale Blue Eyes", "Candy Says" and "What Goes On" were among the most striking numbers.
Velvet's final record was released after Lou Reed left the band. "Loaded" was a conventional rock album. Reed's "Rock and Roll" and "Sweet Jane" became rock standards in the 1970s.

Squeeze

The group released a last record "Squeeze" but this release is not considered as a true Velvets album.
In the 1970s John Cale and Lou Reed were very successful. Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side" even reached number 16 on the American pop charts.

Reunion

In 1989 Reed and Cale reunited to record "Songs for Drella", a requiem for Andy Warhol.
The original members Reed, Cale, Morrison and Tucker met again in 1990. Three years later a European tour was held, but the group soon broke up again. The concerts were recorded and released later.