This article is about the band. For their self-titled album, see The Velvet Underground (album); for the book, see The Velvet Underground (book)

The Velvet Underground
With Nico in 1966, from left to right by row: Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale, Nico, Maureen Tucker photo by David Horvitz and Adam Dower
Background information
Also known as	The Warlocks, The Falling Spikes
Origin	New York City, New York, USA
Genre(s)	Experimental rock, art rock, protopunk
Years active	1965–1973 1990 1992–1994 1996
Label(s)	Verve, MGM, Atlantic, Polydor, Mercury, Sire
Associated acts	Nico Theater of Eternal Music
Former members
Lou Reed John Cale Sterling Morrison Angus Maclise Maureen Tucker Doug Yule Walter Powers Willie Alexander

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band first active from 1965 to 1970 (and 1970 to 1973 in a different incarnation). The Velvet Underground is the third album by American rock group The Velvet Underground. The Velvet Underground is a paperback by journalist Michael Leigh that reports on sexual Paraphilia in the USA published in September 1963 Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. Holmes Sterling Morrison Jr ( August 28 1942 &ndash August 30, 1995) was one of the founding members of the Rock group The John Davies Cale (born March 9, 1942) better known as John Cale, is a Welsh Musician, Composer, Singer-songwriter Christa Päffgen ( October 16, 1938 ? &ndash July 18, 1988) was a German Singer - Songwriter, fashion model Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker (born August 26, 1944, in Levittown New York) is a musician best known for having been the Drummer for the The City of New York New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Experimental rock or avant-garde rock is a type of music based on rock which experiments with the basic elements of the genre and/or which pushes the boundaries Art rock is a term describing a subgenre of Rock music that tends to have "experimental or avant-garde influences" and emphasizes "novel sonic texture In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Verve Records is an American Jazz Record label now owned by the Universal Music Group. MGM Records was a Record label started by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Film studio in 1946 Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock Polydor Records is a Record label currently headquartered in the UK, and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Mercury Records is a Record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Music Group in the US and are both subsidiaries of Sire Records Company is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group and distributed through Warner Bros Christa Päffgen ( October 16, 1938 ? &ndash July 18, 1988) was a German Singer - Songwriter, fashion model The Theatre of Eternal Music, sometimes later known as The Dream Syndicate, was a mid-sixties musical group formed by LaMonte Young that focused on experimental Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. John Davies Cale (born March 9, 1942) better known as John Cale, is a Welsh Musician, Composer, Singer-songwriter Holmes Sterling Morrison Jr ( August 28 1942 &ndash August 30, 1995) was one of the founding members of the Rock group The Angus MacLise ( March 4, 1938 - June 21, 1979) was a percussionist Composer, Poet, Occultist and Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker (born August 26, 1944, in Levittown New York) is a musician best known for having been the Drummer for the Douglas Alan Yule (born February 25, 1947) is an American Musician and Singer, most notable for being a member of The Velvet Walter Powers III is an American Bass guitarist best known for having been a member of The Velvet Underground from late 1970 until late 1971 For the football player of the same name see Willie Alexander (football player. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Its best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale. Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. John Davies Cale (born March 9, 1942) better known as John Cale, is a Welsh Musician, Composer, Singer-songwriter Although never commercially successful while together, the Velvet Underground are often cited by critics as one of the most important and influential groups of their era. ^[1] A famous remark, often attributed to British musician Brian Eno, is that while only a few thousand people bought the first Velvet Underground record upon its release, almost every single one of them was inspired to start a band. Brian Peter George St John le Baptiste de la Salle Eno (born 15 May 1948 commonly known as Brian Eno (ˈiːnoʊ is an English Musician, producer ^[2]

Career

Pre-history (1964–1965)

The foundations for what would become the Velvet Underground were laid in late 1964. Singer/guitarist Lou Reed had performed with a few short-lived garage bands and had worked as a songwriter for Pickwick Records (Reed described his tenure there as being “a poor man’s Carole King”). Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. Pickwick Records was an American Record label and distributor known for its releases of Sound-alike recordings Bargain bin Reissues Carole King (born February 9, 1942) is an American Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist. ^[3] Reed met John Cale, a Welshman who had moved to the United States to study classical music. John Davies Cale (born March 9, 1942) better known as John Cale, is a Welsh Musician, Composer, Singer-songwriter Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music Cale had worked with experimental composers John Cage and La Monte Young, but was also interested in rock music. WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section --> John Milton Cage Jr La Monte Thornton Young (born October 14 1935) is an American Composer and musician Young’s use of extended drones would be a profound influence on the early Velvets’ sound. In music a drone is a harmonic or monophonic effect or Accompaniment where a note or chord is continuously sounded throughout much Cale was pleasantly surprised to discover Reed’s experimentalist tendencies were similar to his own: Reed sometimes used alternate guitar tunings to create a droning sound. The pair rehearsed and performed together, and their partnership and shared interests steered the early direction of what would become the Velvet Underground.

Reed’s first group with Cale was the Primitives, a short-lived group assembled to support a Reed-penned single, “The Ostrich”. Reed and Cale recruited Sterling Morrison—a college classmate of Reed’s who had already played with him a few times—to play guitar, and Angus MacLise joined on percussion. Holmes Sterling Morrison Jr ( August 28 1942 &ndash August 30, 1995) was one of the founding members of the Rock group The Angus MacLise ( March 4, 1938 - June 21, 1979) was a percussionist Composer, Poet, Occultist and This quartet was first called the Warlocks, then the Falling Spikes.

The Velvet Underground was a book about the sexual underground of the early 60's by Michael Leigh that Cale found when he moved into his New York City apartment (left by previous tenant Tony Conrad). The Velvet Underground is a paperback by journalist Michael Leigh that reports on sexual Paraphilia in the USA published in September 1963 Tony Conrad (born Anthony S Conrad in 1940 in Concord New Hampshire is an American Avant-garde Video artist Experimental filmmaker, musician/composer Reed and Morrison have reported the group liked the name, considering it evocative of “underground cinema”, and fitting, due to Reed’s already having written “Venus in Furs”, inspired by Leopold von Sacher-Masoch’s book of the same name, dealing with masochism. Leopold Ritter von Sacher-Masoch ( 27 January, 1836 – 9 March, 1895) was an Austrian writer and journalist who gained renown The band immediately and unanimously adopted the book's title for its new name.

Early stages (1965–1966)

The newly named Velvet Underground rehearsed and performed in New York City. The City of New York Their music was generally much more relaxed than it would later become: Cale described this era as reminiscent of beat poetry, with MacLise playing gentle “pitter and patter rhythms behind the drone”. ^[3]

In July 1965, Reed, Cale and Morrison recorded a demo tape at their Ludlow Street loft. A demo version or demo of a song (shortened from the word "demonstration" is one recorded for reference rather than for release Ludlow Street runs between Houston and Division Street on the Lower East Side of the New York City borough of Manhattan, an important When he briefly returned to Britain, Cale gave a copy of the tape to Marianne Faithfull, hoping she’d pass it on to Mick Jagger. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Marianne Faithfull (born December 29 1946) is an English Singer, Songwriter, actress and Diarist whose Sir Michael Philip "Mick" Jagger, Kt (born 26 July 1943 is a Golden Globe -winning and two-time Grammy -winning English rock Nothing ever came of the demo, but it was eventually released on the 1995 box set Peel Slowly and See. A box set (sometimes referred to as a boxed set) is a compilation of various musical recordings Films Television programs or other collection Peel Slowly and See is a five-disc Box set of material by The Velvet Underground.

Manager and music journalist Al Aronowitz arranged for the group's first paying gig - $75 to play at Summit High School, in Summit, New Jersey. Alfred Gilbert Aronowitz ( May 20, 1928 &ndash August 1, 2005) was an American rock journalist best known for introducing Bob Dylan Summit High School is a four-year Public high school in Summit, in Union County, New Jersey, United States, and is operated by the Summit is a city in northwestern Union County, New Jersey, United States. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. When the group decided to take the gig, MacLise left the group, protesting what he considered a sellout. "Sold Out" redirects here For other uses see Sold Out (disambiguation or Selling Out (disambiguation. “Angus was in it for art”, Morrison reported. Art refers to a diverse range of Human activities creations and expressions that are appealing to the Senses or Emotions of a human individual ^[3]

MacLise was replaced by Maureen “Moe” Tucker, the younger sister of Jim Tucker, a friend of Morrison. Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker (born August 26, 1944, in Levittown New York) is a musician best known for having been the Drummer for the Tucker’s abbreviated drum kit was rather unusual: she generally played on tom toms and an upturned bass drum, using mallets as often as drumsticks, and she rarely used cymbals. A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells A tom-tom (not to be confused with a Tamtam) is a cylindrical Drum with no snare. A bass drum is a large Drum that produces a note of low definite or indefinite pitch. A mallet is a type of hammer with a head made of softer materials than the Steel normally used in hammerheads so as to avoid damaging a delicate surface Cymbals are a modern percussion instrument Cymbals consist of thin normally round plates of various Cymbal alloys; see Cymbal making for a discussion of their (The band having asked her to do something unusual, she turned her bass drum on its side and played standing up. When her drums were stolen from one club, she replaced them with garbage cans, brought in from outside. ) Her rhythms, at once simple and exotic (influenced by the likes of Babatunde Olatunji and Bo Diddley records), became a vital part of the group’s music. Babatunde Olatunji ( April 7, 1927 – April 6, 2003) was a Nigerian Drummer educator social activist and recording Bo Diddley ( December 30 1928 &ndash June 2 2008, born Ellas Otha Bates) was an original and influential American The group earned a regular paying gig at a club and gained an early reputation as a promising ensemble.

Andy Warhol and the Exploding Plastic Inevitable (1966–1967)

Andy Warhol became the band’s manager in 1965 and suggested they feature the German-born singer Nico on several songs. For the song by David Bowie, see Andy Warhol (song. Andrew Warhola (August 6 1928 &ndash February 22 1987 known as Andy Warhol Christa Päffgen ( October 16, 1938 ? &ndash July 18, 1988) was a German Singer - Songwriter, fashion model Warhol’s reputation helped the band gain a higher profile. Warhol helped the band secure a coveted recording contract with MGM’s Verve Records, with himself as nominal “producer”, and gave the Velvets free rein over the sound they created. A recording contract (commonly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a Record label and a Recording artist (or group where the artist Verve Records is an American Jazz Record label now owned by the Universal Music Group.

During their stay with Andy Warhol, the band became part of his multimedia roadshow, Exploding Plastic Inevitable, for which they provided the music. The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, sometimes simply called Plastic Inevitable or EPI, was a series of Multimedia events They played shows for several months in New York City, then traveled throughout the United States and Canada until its last installment in May 1967. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The show included 16 mm film projections and colors by Warhol.

In 1966 MacLise temporarily rejoined the Velvet Underground for a few EPI shows when Reed was suffering from hepatitis and unable to perform. Hepatitis (plural hepatitides) implies injury to the Liver characterized by the presence of Inflammatory cells in the tissue of For these appearances, Cale sang and played organ and Tucker switched to bass guitar. The organ (from Greek όργανον – organon "organ instrument tool" is a Keyboard instrument of one or more divisions each The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Also at these appearances, the band often played an extended jam they had dubbed “Booker T”, after the leader of the musical group Booker T. and the MG’s; the jam later became the music for “The Gift” on White Light/White Heat. White Light/White Heat is the second album by The Velvet Underground. Some of these performances have been released as a bootleg; they remain the only record of MacLise with the Velvet Underground. A bootleg recording is an audio and/or Video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority MacLise was said to be eager to rejoin the group now that they’d found some fame, but Reed specifically prohibited this.

In December 1966, Warhol and David Dalton designed Issue 3 of the multimedia Aspen. Aspen was a multimedia magazine published on an irregular schedule by Phyllis Johnson from 1965 to 1971 ^[4] Included in this issue of the "magazine", which retailed at $4 per copy and was packaged in a hinged box designed to look like Fab laundry detergent, were various leaflets and booklets, one of which was a commentary on rock and roll by Lou Reed, another an EPI promotional newspaper. Also enclosed was a 2-sided flexi disk, side one produced by Peter Walker, a musical associate of Timothy Leary, and side two titled “Loop”, credited to the Velvet Underground but actually recorded by Cale alone. The flexi disc (also known as a phonosheet or sonosheet) is a phonograph record made of a thin Vinyl sheet with a molded-in spiral stylus Peter Walker may refer to Peter Walker (Chief Executive of Sunderland Association Football Club, Peter Walker Baron Walker of Worcester Timothy Francis Leary ( October 22, 1920 &ndash May 31, 1996) was an American Writer, Psychologist, Futurist “Loop”, a recording solely of pulsating audio feedback culminating in a locked groove, was “a precursor to [Reed’s] Metal Machine Music”, say Velvets archivists M. Audio Feedback (also known as the Larsen effect after the Danish scientist Søren Larsen who first discovered its principles is a special kind of Feedback The overwhelming majority of records manufactured have been of certain sizes (7 10 or 12 inches playback speeds (33⅓ 45 or 78 RPM and appearance (round black discs Metal Machine Music, subtitled *The Amine ß Ring, is an Album by Lou Reed. C. Kostek and Phil Milstein in the book The Velvet Underground Companion. ^[5] Indeed, “Loop” predates Reed’s almost identical concept (Metal Machine Music being a double album, obviously with different feedback, also concluding side four with a locked groove) by nearly ten years. ("Loop" also predates much industrial music as well). Industrial music is a loose term for a number of different styles of Experimental music, especially but not necessarily Electronic music. More significantly, from a retail standpoint, “Loop” was the group’s first commercially available recording as the Velvet Underground.

The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)

Main article: The Velvet Underground and Nico

At Warhol's insistence, Nico sang with the band on three songs of their debut album, The Velvet Underground and Nico. Christa Päffgen ( October 16, 1938 ? &ndash July 18, 1988) was a German Singer - Songwriter, fashion model The album was recorded primarily in Scepter Studios in New York City during April. The City of New York It was released by Verve Records in March 1967. Verve Records is an American Jazz Record label now owned by the Universal Music Group.

The album cover was famous for its Warhol design: a bright yellow banana with “Peel slowly and see” printed near a perforated tab. For the fruit see Banana. For other meanings see Banana (disambiguation. Those who did remove the banana skin found a pink, peeled banana beneath. This gimmick would later be repeated on the cover of one of several Velvet Underground boxed sets, also titled Peel Slowly and See, released in 1995. Peel Slowly and See is a five-disc Box set of material by The Velvet Underground.

Eleven songs showcased their dynamic range, veering from the pounding attacks of "I’m Waiting for the Man" and "Run Run Run", the droning "Venus in Furs" and "Heroin" to the quiet "Femme Fatale" and the tender "I’ll Be Your Mirror", as well as Warhol's own favorite song of the group, "All Tomorrow's Parties". " I'm Waiting for the Man " is a song by the American rock band The Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed. " Venus in Furs " is a song by The Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed and originally released on the 1967 album The Velvet Underground " Heroin " is a song by The Velvet Underground, released on their 1967 debut album The Velvet Underground and Nico. " Femme Fatale " is a song by The Velvet Underground. " I'll Be Your Mirror " is a song by The Velvet Underground. " All Tomorrow's Parties " is a song by The Velvet Underground, written by Lou Reed and released on the group's 1967 debut album The Velvet

The overall sound was propelled by Reed’s deadpan vocals, Cale's droning viola, Morrison's often rhythm and blues– or country-influenced guitar, and Tucker’s simple but steady beat. The viola is a bowed String instrument. It is the middle voice of the Violin family, Country music is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States and the Appalachian Mountains.

The album was released on March 12, 1967, peaking at #171 on Billboard magazine's Top 200 charts. Events 538 - Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry The promising commercial début of the album was dampened somewhat by legal complications: the album’s back cover featured a photo of the group playing live with another image projected behind them; the projected image was a still from a Warhol motion picture, Chelsea Girls. Chelsea Girls is a 1966 film directed by Paul Morrissey and Andy Warhol. The film’s cinematographer, Eric Emerson, had been arrested for drug possession and, desperate for money, claimed the still had been included on the album without his permission (in the image his face appears quite big, but upside down). See also Filmmaking Cinematography (from Greek: kinesis κινησις (movement and grapho γραφω (to record is the discipline MGM Records pulled all copies of the album until the legal problems were settled (by which time the record had lost its modest commercial momentum), and the still was airbrushed out.

White Light/White Heat (1968)

Main article: White Light/White Heat

After the VU severed its relationship with Andy Warhol and Nico, they recorded their second album in September 1967, White Light/White Heat, with Tom Wilson as producer. White Light/White Heat is the second album by The Velvet Underground. Thomas Blanchard Wilson Jr ( March 25, 1931 – September 6, 1978) was an American Record producer best known for his work in the

The Velvet Underground performed live often, and their performances became louder, harsher and often featured extended improvisations. Free improvisation or free music is improvised music without any rules beyond the taste or inclination of the musician(s involved in many cases the musicians make Cale reports that at about this time the Velvet Underground was one of the first groups to receive an endorsement from Vox. Vox is a musical equipment manufacturer which is most famous for making the Vox AC30 guitar amplifier, the Vox Electric organ, and a series of innovative The company pioneered a number of special effects, which the Velvet Underground utilized on White Light/White Heat. White Light/White Heat is the second album by The Velvet Underground.

The recording was raw and oversaturated. Cale has stated that while the debut had some moments of fragility and beauty, White Light/White Heat was “consciously anti-beauty”. The title track and first song starts things off with John Cale pounding on the piano like Jerry Lee Lewis. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American Rock and roll and Country music Singer, Songwriter The eerie, hallucinatory “Lady Godiva’s Operation” remains Reed’s favorite track on the album. A hallucination, in the broadest sense is a Perception in the absence of a stimulus. Godiva (or Godgifu) (c 980-1067 was an Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who according to Legend, rode naked through the streets of Coventry Despite the dominance of noisefests like “Sister Ray” and “I Heard Her Call My Name”, there was room for the darkly comic “The Gift”, a short story written by Reed and narrated by Cale in his deadpan Welsh accent. " Sister Ray " is a song by The Velvet Underground that closes side two of their 1968 Avant-garde rock album White Light/White Heat " I Heard Her Call My Name " is a song by American Avant-garde rock band The Velvet Underground. "The Gift" is the second track that appears on White Light/White Heat, the 1968 second album by The Velvet Underground. The short story is a literary genre of Fictional Prose Narrative that tends to be more concise and to the point than longer works of fiction such Deadpan is a form of non-comedic delivery in which Humour is presented without a change in emotion or Facial expression, usually speaking in The meditative “Here She Comes Now” was later covered by Galaxie 500, R.E.M., Cabaret Voltaire, and Nirvana. Galaxie 500 was an American Alternative rock trio that formed in 1986 and split up in 1991 after releasing three albums REM is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by Michael Stipe ( lead vocals) Peter Buck ( Guitar Cabaret Voltaire were a British music group from Sheffield, England. Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen Washington.

The album was released on January 30, 1968, entering the Billboard Top 200 chart for two weeks, at number 199. Events 1648 - Eighty Years' War: The Treaty of Münster is signed ending the conflict between the Netherlands and Spain Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. See Billboard (Turkish magazine Billboard is a weekly American Magazine devoted to the Music industry

However, tensions were growing: the group was tired of receiving little recognition for its work, and Reed and Cale were pulling the Velvet Underground in different directions. The differences showed in the last recording session the band had with John Cale in February 1968: two pop-like songs in Reed’s direction (“Temptation Inside Your Heart” and “Stephanie Says”) and a viola-driven drone in Cale’s direction (“Hey Mr. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Rain”). (None of these songs were released until they were included on the VU and Another View compilation albums. VU is an Outtakes Compilation album by The Velvet Underground. Another View is an outtakes Compilation album by The Velvet Underground. A compilation album is an Album ( Music or Spoken-word) featuring tracks from one or multiple Recording artists, often culled from a variety of ) Further, some songs the band had performed with Cale in concert, or that he had co-written, were not recorded until after he had left the group (such as “Walk It and Talk It”, “Guess I’m Falling in Love”, “Ride into the Sun”, and “Countess from Hong Kong”).

The Velvet Underground (1969)

Main article: The Velvet Underground

Before work on their third album started, Cale was eased out of the band and was replaced by Doug Yule of Boston group the Glass Menagerie, who had opened several VU shows. The Velvet Underground is the third album by American rock group The Velvet Underground. Douglas Alan Yule (born February 25, 1947) is an American Musician and Singer, most notable for being a member of The Velvet The Velvet Underground was recorded in late 1968 (released in March 1969). The Velvet Underground is the third album by American rock group The Velvet Underground. The cover photograph was taken by Billy Name. Billy Linich, known as Billy Name and Billy Goat, (born 22 February 1940 in Poughkeepsie New York) is an American Released on March 12, 1969, the album failed to make Billboard’s Top 200 album chart. Events 538 - Witiges, king of the Ostrogoths ends his siege of Rome and retreats to Ravenna, leaving Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

It has often been reported that the early edition of the Velvet Underground was a struggle between Reed and Cale's creative impulses: Reed's rather conventional approach contrasted with Cale's experimentalist tendencies; according to Tim Mitchell, Morrison has reported that there was creative tension between Reed and Cale but that its impact has been exaggerated over the years. ^[6]

In any case, the harsh, abrasive tendencies on the first two records were almost entirely absent on their third platter, The Velvet Underground. This resulted in a gentler sound influenced by folk music, prescient of the songwriting style that would form Reed's solo career. Folk music can have a number of different meanings including Traditional music: The original meaning of the term "folk music" was synonymous Another factor in the change of sound was the band's Vox amplifiers and assorted fuzzboxes being stolen from an airport while they were on tour; they obtained replacements by signing a new endorsement deal with Sunn. In addition, Reed and Morrison had purchased matching Fender 12-string electric guitars. The Fender Electric XII was a purpose-built 12-string Electric guitar, designed for Folk rockers Instead of using a Stratocaster -body style Doug Yule plays down the influence of the new equipment, however.

Morrison's ringing guitar parts and Yule's melodic bass guitar and harmony vocals are featured prominently on the album. The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Reed's songs and singing are subdued and confessional, and he shared lead vocals with Yule, particularly when his own voice would fail under stress. Doug Yule sang the lead vocal on "Candy Says", which opens the LP, and a rare Maureen Tucker vocal is featured on "After Hours", a song that Reed said was so innocent and pure he couldn't possibly sing it himself. The album's influence can be heard in many later indie rock and lo-fi recordings. Indie rock is genre of Alternative rock that primarily exists in the independent Underground music scene "Lo-fi" redirects here For the music genre see Lo-fi music Lo-fidelity redirects here

Year on the road and the "lost" fourth album (1969)

The Velvet Underground spent much of 1969 on the road, feeling they were not accepted in their hometown of New York City and not making much headway commercially. The City of New York The live album 1969: The Velvet Underground Live was recorded in October 1969 and released in 1974 on Mercury Records at the urging of rock critic Paul Nelson, who worked in A&R for Mercury at the time. 1969 The Velvet Underground Live is a Live album by The Velvet Underground. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. Mercury Records is a Record label operating as a standalone company in the UK and as part of the Island Def Jam Music Group in the US and are both subsidiaries of Paul Nelson (born January 21 1936 in Warren Minnesota, and died circa June 28 2006 in New York City was a folk and rock Music critic who Artists and Repertoire ( A&R) is the division of a Record label that is responsible for talent scouting and artist development Nelson asked singer-songwriter Elliott Murphy to write liner notes for the double album which began, “I wish it was a hundred years from today…. Singer-songwriter is a term that refers to Performers who write, compose and sing their own material including Lyrics Elliott James Murphy (born March 16 1949 on Long Island, New York) is an American rock Singer-songwriter, ”

During the same year, the band recorded on and off in the studio, creating a lot of material that was never officially released due to disputes with their record label. What many consider the prime of these sessions was released many years later as VU. VU is an Outtakes Compilation album by The Velvet Underground. This album has a transitional sound between the whisper-soft third album and the pop-rock songs of their final record, Loaded. Loaded is the fourth album released by American rock band The Velvet Underground.

The rest of the recordings, as well as some alternate takes, were bundled on Another View. Another View is an outtakes Compilation album by The Velvet Underground. After Reed’s departure, he later reworked a number of these songs for his solo records (“Stephanie Says”, “Ocean”, “I Can’t Stand It”, “Lisa Says”, “She’s My Best Friend”). Indeed, most of Reed’s early solo career’s more successful hits were reworked Velvet Underground tracks, released for the first time in their original version on VU, Another View, and later on Peel Slowly and See.

Loaded (1970)

Main article: Loaded

In 1969 MGM Records president Mike Curb wanted to purge any drug or hippie-related bands from MGM, and the Velvets were on his list, along with Frank Zappa’s Mothers of Invention. Loaded is the fourth album released by American rock band The Velvet Underground. Michael Curb (born December 24, 1944, in Savannah Georgia) is an American Musician, Record company executive race car Recreational drug use is the use of Psychoactive drugs for Recreational purposes rather than for work, medical or spiritual purposes The Hippie Subculture was originally a Youth movement that began in the United States during the early 1960s and spread around the world Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21 1940 – December 4 1993 was an American Composer, Electric guitarist Record producer and Film director The Mothers of Invention was an American Rock and roll band active from 1964 to 1975 Nonetheless, MGM insisted on keeping the tapes of their unissued recordings.

Atlantic Records signed the Velvet Underground for what would be its final studio album with Lou Reed: Loaded, released on Atlantic’s subsidiary label Cotillion. Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock Loaded is the fourth album released by American rock band The Velvet Underground. Cotillion Records was a subsidiary of Atlantic Records. President of Cotillion Records was Henry E The album’s title refers to Atlantic’s request that the band produce an album “loaded with hits”. Though the record was not the smash hit the company had anticipated, it contains the most accessible pop the VU had performed, and several of Reed’s best-known songs, including "Sweet Jane” and “Rock and Roll”. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure

Though Tucker had temporarily retired from the group due to her pregnancy, she received a performance credit on Loaded. Pregnancy ( Latin graviditas) is the carrying of one or more offspring known as a Fetus or Embryo, inside the Uterus of a Female Except on a few songs, drums were actually played by several people, including Yule, engineer Adrian Barber, session musician Tommy Castanaro, and Doug Yule’s brother Billy, who was still in high school. William "Billy" Yule (born ca 1954) is best known for having been a sit-in Drummer for The Velvet Underground during 1970

Disillusioned with the lack of progress the band was making and pressured by manager Steve Sesnick, Reed decided to quit the band in August 1970. Stephen Sesnick took over the management of The Velvet Underground following the departure of Andy Warhol after the band's first album. The band essentially dissolved while recording the album, and Reed walked off just before it was finished. Lou Reed has often said he was completely surprised when he saw Loaded in stores. He also said, bitterly, “I left them to their album full of hits that I made. ”

However, Reed was particularly bitter about a verse being edited from the Loaded version of “Sweet Jane”. Structure and history of the song The version of "Sweet Jane" on 1969 The Velvet Underground Live is an early version with a simpler chord progression (three-chord “New Age” was changed as well: as originally recorded, its closing line (“It’s the beginning of a new age”) was repeated many more times. New Age is the fifth Song from the 1970 The Velvet Underground album Loaded. A brief interlude in “Rock and Roll” was also removed. (Years later, the album would be reissued with the edits restored. ) On the other hand, Yule has pointed out that the album was to all intents and purposes finished when Reed left the band and that Reed had been aware of most, if not all, of the edits. The few weeks between Reed’s departure in late August and Loaded’s arrival in the shops in September of the same year also would have left little room for the whole process of editing, reviewing, mastering and pressing.

1970-1973: The Doug Yule years

Even though Loaded’s spin-off single “Who Loves the Sun” had little success, “Sweet Jane” and “Rock and Roll” became U. S. radio favorites, and the band, featuring Walter Powers on bass, with Doug Yule promoted to lead vocals and guitar, went on the road once more, playing the U. Walter Powers III is an American Bass guitarist best known for having been a member of The Velvet Underground from late 1970 until late 1971 S. East Coast and Europe. By that time, however, Sterling Morrison had obtained a B.A. degree in English, and left the group for an academic career with the University of Texas at Austin. His replacement was singer/keyboard player Willie Alexander. For the football player of the same name see Willie Alexander (football player. The band played shows in England, Wales, and the Netherlands, some of which are collected on the 2001 box set Final V.U.. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland The Netherlands ( Dutch:, ˈnedərlɑnt is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which consists of the Netherlands the Netherlands Some fans were disappointed with the new lineup, dubbing it the “Velveteen Underground”. This was perhaps unfair: Yule has expressed discomfort with the group being promoted as the V. U. , and extant recordings show that the group performed plenty of newly written material, rather than relying solely on the earlier songs written by Reed.

In 1972 Atlantic released Live at Max's Kansas City, a live bootleg of the Velvet Underground’s final performance with Reed, recorded by fan Brigid Polk on August 23, 1970. Live at Max's Kansas City is a Live album by The Velvet Underground. A bootleg recording is an audio and/or Video recording of a performance that was not officially released by the artist or under other legal authority Brigid Berlin (also known as Brigid Polk born September 6, 1939) is an artist and former Warhol superstar. Events 79 - Mount Vesuvius begins stirring on the feast day of Vulcan the Roman god of fire Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Meanwhile, the Doug Yule-fronted edition of the band was touring the United Kingdom when Sesnick managed to secure a recording contract with Polydor Records in England. Polydor Records is a Record label currently headquartered in the UK, and is a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. He then allegedly sent Tucker, Powers and Alexander back to the US (effectively ending their tenures with the group) while Yule recorded the album Squeeze under the Velvet Underground name virtually by himself, with only the assistance of Deep Purple drummer Ian Paice and a few other session musicians. Squeeze was the fifth and last studio Album to be released under the Velvet Underground name Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertfordshire in 1968 Ian Paice (born June 29, 1948 in Nottingham, England) made his name as the Drummer with seminal heavy Rock band Deep

Prior to the release of Squeeze, a new Velvet Underground lineup was assembled to tour the UK to promote the upcoming album. This version of The Velvet Underground consisted of Yule, Rob Norris (guitar), George Kay (bass guitar) and Mark Nauseef (drums). Mark Nauseef (born 1953 in Cortland New York, United States) is a Drummer and percussionist who has enjoyed a varied career ranging from Sesnick abandoned the band shortly before the tour started, and Yule more-or-less pulled the plug on the band when the brief tour ended in December of 1972.

Squeeze was released a few months later in February 1973, in Europe only. The album is a controversial item among Velvet fans, generally held in low regard by fans and critics: Stephen Thomas Erlewine notes that the album received “uniformly terrible reviews” upon initial release, and was often "deleted" from official V. Stephen Thomas Erlewine (1973? is senior editor for Allmusic. U. discographies. ^[7] Due to perceived middle of the road content, Squeeze is sometimes dismissed out of hand by Velvet Underground fans. Middle Of The Road was a Scottish pop group who enjoyed great success across Europe in the early 1970s However, with the advent of Internet audio file sharing, the previously obscure record has gained some supporters, who speculate that Squeeze might have fared far better if it had been promoted not as a V. The Internet is a global system of interconnected Computer networks See Shared resource for the conventional meaning of file sharing File sharing refers to the providing and receiving of digital files over a U. album, but as Yule's solo debut, with some arguing that some of the songs would not have been out of place on Loaded.

Although Yule had theoretically put an end to The Velvet Underground in late 1972, in the spring of 1973 a covers band featuring Doug Yule (vocal guitar), Billy Yule (drums), George Kay (bass) and Don Silverman (guitar) played the New England bar circuit, and was misleadingly billed as The Velvet Underground by the tour's manager. (The Yule brothers and Kay had all previously played in various Velvet Underground incarnations. ) The band members objected to the billing, and in late May 1973, the band and the tour manager parted ways.

Post-VU developments (1972–1990)

Reed, Cale and Nico teamed up at the beginning of 1972 to play two concerts in London and Paris. The Paris concert performed at the Bataclan club was bootlegged, finally receiving an official release as Le Bataclan '72 in 2003. See Bataclan (disambiguation for other meanings The Bataclan is a "salle de spectacle" in the XIe arrondissement of Paris Le Bataclan '72 is a sixteen-track Live album by Lou Reed, John Cale and Nico.

Reed and Cale, in the meantime, developed solo careers. Nico had also begun a solo career with Cale producing a majority of her albums. Sterling Morrison was a professor for some time, teaching Medieval Literature at the University of Texas at Austin, then became a tugboat captain for several years. TUGboat (ISSN 0896-3207 is a journal published three times per year by the TeX Users Group. Maureen Tucker raised a family before returning to small-scale gigging and recording in the 1980s; Morrison was in a number of touring bands, among others with Tucker’s band.

In 1985 Polydor released the album VU, which collected unreleased recordings that might have constituted the band's fourth album for MGM in 1969 but had never been released. VU is an Outtakes Compilation album by The Velvet Underground. Some of the songs had been recorded when Cale was still in the band. More unreleased recordings of the band, some of them demos and unfinished tracks, were released in 1986 as Another View. Another View is an outtakes Compilation album by The Velvet Underground.

On July 18, 1988, Nico, the German-born singer and early associate of The Velvet Underground, died of a cerebral hemorrhage following a bicycle accident. Events 390 BC - Roman - Gaulish Wars Battle of the Allia - a Roman army is defeated by raiding Gauls, Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)

Czech dissident playwright Václav Havel was a fan of the Velvet Underground, ultimately becoming a friend of Lou Reed. Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. A playwright, also known as a dramatist, is a person who writes dramatic literature or Drama. Václav Havel, GCB, CC, ( (born October 5, 1936) is a Czech Playwright Writer and Politician Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. Though some attribute the name of the 1989 “Velvet Revolution”, which ended more than 40 years of Communist rule in Czechoslovakia, to the band, Reed points out that in fact the name Velvet Revolution derives from its peaceful nature—that no one was physically killed (“hurt”) during those events. The " Velvet Revolution " (sametová revoluce nežná revolúcia ( November 16 &ndash December 29 1989) refers to a non-violent The Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, in Czech and in Slovak Komunistická strana Československa (KSČ was a political party in Czechoslovakia that existed between Czechoslovakia may also refer to what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia. ^[8] After Havel’s election as president, first of Czechoslovakia and then the Czech Republic, Reed visited him in Prague. The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, Prague (ˈprɑːg Praha (ˈpraɦa see also other names) is the Capital and Largest city of the Czech Republic. ^[9] On 16 September 1998, at Havel’s request, Reed performed in the White House at a state dinner in Havel’s honor hosted by President Clinton. Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence State dinners in different countries follow different rules and are governed by different protocols. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States ^[10]

Reunions (1990 and 1992–1994)

In 1990, Reed and Cale released Songs for Drella, dedicated to the recently deceased Andy Warhol. Songs for Drella is a Concept album by Lou Reed and John Cale, alumni of The Velvet Underground. For the song by David Bowie, see Andy Warhol (song. Andrew Warhola (August 6 1928 &ndash February 22 1987 known as Andy Warhol (“Drella” was a nickname Warhol had been given, a combination of “Dracula” and “Cinderella”. ) Though Morrison and Tucker had each worked with Reed and Cale since the V. U. broke up, Songs for Drella was the first time the mercurial pair had worked together in decades, and rumors of a reunion began to circulate, fueled by the one-off appearance by Reed, Cale, Morrison and Tucker to play "Heroin" as the encore to a brief Songs for Drella set in Jouy-en-Josas, France. Jouy-en-Josas is a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. This article is about the country For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic France topics.

The Reed–Cale–Morrison–Tucker lineup officially reunited as "The Velvet Underground" in 1992, commencing activities with a European tour beginning in Edinburgh on June 1, 1993, and featuring a performance at Glastonbury which garnered an NME front cover. Edinburgh ( ˈɛdɪnb(ərə Dùn Èideann) is the Capital of Scotland and is its second largest city after Glasgow. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been Cale sang most of the songs Nico had originally performed. As well as headlining, the Velvets performed as supporting act for five dates of U2’s Zoo TV Tour. The Zoo TV Tour (also called ZooTV, ZOO TV or ZOOTV) was an elaborately-staged multimedia Concert tour by Irish rock band

Given the success of The Velvet Underground's European reunion tour, a series of US tour dates were proposed, as was an MTV Unplugged broadcast, and possibly even some new studio recordings. MTV Unplugged is a series showcasing popular musical artists playing Acoustic instruments It was produced by Viacom and was directed by Beth However, before any of this could come to fruition, Cale and Reed fell out again, breaking up the band once more.

On August 30, 1995, Sterling Morrison died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Events 1363 - Beginning date of the Battle of Lake Poyang; the forces of two Chinese rebel leaders— Chen Youliang and Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The band seemed to reach their definitive end as a performing unit with Morrison’s passing. However, this prospect would change when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States Lou Reed and John Cale put their differences aside to reform the Velvet Underground for the last time, with Maureen Tucker in tow. Lewis Allan Reed (born March 2 1942 is an American rock Singer-songwriter and Guitarist. John Davies Cale (born March 9, 1942) better known as John Cale, is a Welsh Musician, Composer, Singer-songwriter Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker (born August 26, 1944, in Levittown New York) is a musician best known for having been the Drummer for the Doug Yule was absent and is said to have been slighted by the band. At the ceremony, the band was inducted by singer/poet Patti Smith, and the band performed "Last Night I Said Goodbye to My Friend", written in tribute to Sterling Morrison. Holmes Sterling Morrison Jr ( August 28 1942 &ndash August 30, 1995) was one of the founding members of the Rock group The

The Velvet Underground continues to exist as a New York–based partnership managing the financial and back catalog aspects for the band members, but no performances will be forthcoming. In issue number 946 (April 15, 2004), Rolling Stone ranked the band #19 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Events 1450 - Battle of Formigny: Toward the end of the Hundred Years' War, the French attack and nearly annihilate English "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Rolling Stone is a United States -based Magazine devoted to Music, Politics, and Popular culture that is published ^[11]

Discography

Main article: The Velvet Underground discography

• The Velvet Underground and Nico (1967)
• White Light/White Heat (1968)
• The Velvet Underground (1969)
• Loaded (1970)
• Live at Max's Kansas City (recorded 1970, released 1972)
• Squeeze (1973)

Lineups

Temporary, live and studio members

• Angus MacLise — sat in on percussion with Tucker switching to bass guitar and Cale and Morrison to lead vocals during a Chicago engagement when Reed was taken ill with hepatitis, June–July 1966. Live MCMXCIII is a Live album by The Velvet Underground. It was released simultaneously in single and double CD/ Cassette formats on The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a Museum located on the shores of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland Ohio, United States
• Nico — collaborator on vocals with the band on four tracks off The Velvet Underground and Nico and several Exploding Plastic Inevitable engagements, 1966–1967. Christa Päffgen ( October 16, 1938 ? &ndash July 18, 1988) was a German Singer - Songwriter, fashion model The Exploding Plastic Inevitable, sometimes simply called Plastic Inevitable or EPI, was a series of Multimedia events In addition, about half of the tracks on Nico's 1967 debut LP, Chelsea Girl, feature songs written by and/or featuring Reed, Cale and Morrison. Chelsea Girl is the debut solo album by Nico. It was released in October 1967 by Verve Records, also home to The Velvet Underground. These tracks are generally considered Velvet Underground songs, to the extent that some songs are included on compilations like the Peel Slowly and See box set and the Gold 2-CD set.
• Billy Yule — stand-in on drums for a pregnant Tucker on three tracks off Loaded and at the Max's Kansas City 1970 engagement, including Live at Max's Kansas City; and the 1973 Boston engagement. William "Billy" Yule (born ca 1954) is best known for having been a sit-in Drummer for The Velvet Underground during 1970 A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Live at Max's Kansas City is a Live album by The Velvet Underground.
• Tommy Castanaro — stand-in on drums for a pregnant Tucker on two tracks off Loaded.
• Adrian Barber — stand-in on drums for a pregnant Tucker on a number of tracks off Loaded.
• Larry Estridge — tour stand-in (bass guitar) for Walter Powers, June 1971.
• Rob Norris — tour member (guitar) for the 1972 UK Squeeze tour. The Bongos were a pop band active in the 1980s They formed in Hoboken New Jersey and were led by Richard Barone (vocals guitar
• George Kay — tour member (bass guitar) for the 1972 UK Squeeze tour and the 1973 Boston engagement.
• Don Silverman — tour member (guitar) for the 1972 UK Squeeze tour.
• Mark Nauseef — tour member (drums) for the 1972 UK Squeeze tour. Mark Nauseef (born 1953 in Cortland New York, United States) is a Drummer and percussionist who has enjoyed a varied career ranging from
• Ian Paice — session musician (drums) for Squeeze (1973). Ian Paice (born June 29, 1948 in Nottingham, England) made his name as the Drummer with seminal heavy Rock band Deep

References

External links

• The Velvet Underground Web Page
• "Style It Takes" (John Cale on Studio 360 radio program from June 2, 2006); MP3 file; John Cale performing "Style It Takes" (talking about Andy Warhol, the subject of that song). For the song by David Bowie, see Andy Warhol (song. Andrew Warhola (August 6 1928 &ndash February 22 1987 known as Andy Warhol
• "Loop" from Issue 3 of Aspen magazine (December 1966).
• Podcast of the Velvet Underground live at the Hilltop Rock Festival in 1969