Avant-garde noise, poetic lyrics, and unfiltered storytelling—from gritty New York streets to rock legend status.
The Velvet Underground, formed in the mid-1960s, was a groundbreaking rock band that blended experimental sounds with raw, often provocative lyrics, influencing generations of musicians despite limited commercial success during their time.
Led by Lou Reed and John Cale, the band’s music combined avant-garde elements with gritty narratives of urban life, addiction, and counterculture. With their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico, featuring the iconic Andy Warhol-designed banana cover, they challenged mainstream sensibilities and set the stage for punk, alternative, and indie rock movements.
Though they disbanded in the early 1970s, their legacy endures, proving that innovation and artistic integrity can leave a lasting mark beyond record sales.
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The Velvet Underground's core members were:
Lou Reed – vocals, guitar (1964–1970)
John Cale – bass, keyboards, viola, vocals (1964–1968)
Sterling Morrison – guitar, bass, vocals (1964–1971)
Maureen "Moe" Tucker – drums, percussion, occasional vocals (1965–1971)
Other members included:
Doug Yule – bass, keyboards, vocals (1968–1973)
Angus MacLise – drums (1964–1965, briefly)
Walter Powers – bass (1972)
Willie Alexander – keyboards, vocals (1972)
The lineup changed over time, especially after Lou Reed left in 1970.
The Best of The Velvet Underground: Words and Music of Lou Reed (1989)
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