Guide Note

The Velvet Underground were a New York City-based rock band whose sound and lifestyle helped to define the late 1960s Art and Music scene. Led by Lou Reed and managed for a time by Andy Warhol, the Velvet Underground achieved only cult success while active, but are considered by many to be one of the most influential bands in rock history.

Fast Facts

1. Years Active: 1965 to 1973
2. Origin: New York City
3. Band's name taken from a book on sadomasochism
4. Performed at Warhol's Exploding Plastic Inevitable multimedia events
5. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996

The Velvets got their first big break when Art icon Andy Warhol discovered the band and asked them to provide the music for his multimedia roadshow, the Exploding Plastic Inevitable. Warhol also introduced the band to German model and singer Nico who would provide vocals for a number of the most famous songs on the band's first (self-titled) album. The band left Warhol's orbit with 1968's White Light, White Heat, and released two more studio albums before the departure of co-founder and principal songwriter Lou Reed, in 1970. A fifth album, which featured no original members, was released in 1973.

Since the breakup of the Velvet Underground, Lou Reed has gone on to considerable success as a solo artist, and continues to write and record original material. John Cale became a successful rock and avant-garde composer and has released a number of influential albums. Co-founder Sterling Morrison earned a PhD in Medieval literature at the University of Texas, Austin, and captained tugboats until succumbing to cancer in 1995. Drummer Maureen Tucker tours and records periodically.

• Lou Reed (1965-1970) - Guitar, Vocals
• John Cale (1965-1969) - Bass, Viola, Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals
• Sterling Morrison (1965-1971) - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
• Maureen Tucker (1965-1972) - Drums, Vocals
• Doug Yule (1969-1973) - Guitar, Bass, Vocals
• Nico (1966-1967) - Vocals

• 1967: The Velvet Underground and Nico
• 1968: White Light/White Heat
• 1969: The Velvet Underground
• 1970: Loaded
• 1973: Squeeze