Velvet Underground was an influential American rock group that formed in the 1960’s. The group was known for its streetwise attitude and avant-garde (experimental and unconventional) approach to music. The Velvet Underground did not enjoy great commercial success while the group was together, but many critics consider a number of its albums to be among the greatest in rock history.
The group was formed in New York City in 1965 by singer, songwriter, and guitarist Lou Reed (1942-2013) and Welsh keyboardist, bassist, and violist John Cale (1942-…). The group was first called the Falling Spikes, then the Warlocks. It later included guitarist Sterling Morrison (1942-1995) and drummer Angus MacLise (1938-1979). By the end of 1965, Maureen “Moe” Tucker (1944-…) had replaced MacLise on drums, and the group had changed its name to the Velvet Underground. The group took the name from The Velvet Underground (1963), a book by the American journalist Michael Leigh.
In 1966, the American pop artist Andy Warhol became the group’s manager. Warhol brought the German singer, actress, and model Nico (Christa Päffgen, 1938-1988) into the group. The group’s first album, The Velvet Underground & Nico, was released in 1967. It was produced by Warhol and featured a pop-art design of a banana by Warhol on the cover. The album received mixed reviews upon its release but was later acclaimed as a classic. It featured the notable songs “All Tomorrow’s Parties,” “Femme Fatale,” “Heroin,” “I’ll Be Your Mirror,” “I’m Waiting for the Man,” “Sunday Morning,” and “Venus in Furs.” Nico left the group later in 1967.
The group’s second album, White Light/White Heat, was released in 1968. That same year, Doug Yule (1947-…) replaced Cale. Yule played bass and organ. The group’s third album, The Velvet Underground, was released in 1969. It featured the songs “Beginning to See the Light,” “Candy Says,” “Jesus,” “Pale Blue Eyes,” and ”What Goes On.”
In 1970, Yule’s brother, Billy, temporarily replaced Tucker on drums. The group’s fourth album, Loaded, was released that year. It featured two of the group’s best-known songs, “Rock & Roll” and “Sweet Jane.”
Reed left the group shortly after recording Loaded. Morrison and Tucker left in 1971. In 1972 and 1973, Yule toured with other musicians as the Velvet Underground. Yule’s version of the group released one album, Squeeze (1973).
The Velvet Underground disbanded in 1973. Reed, Cale, and Nico all went on to have successful solo careers. Cale also became a successful record producer. In 1993, Reed, Cale, Morrison, and Tucker reunited as the Velvet Underground and toured Europe. The Velvet Underground was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Reed was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an individual performer in 2015, after his death.
