VELVET UNDERGROUND

The antithesis of late-60s west coast idealism, New York's Velvet Underground represent the era's darker side. Lou Reed was a contract songwriter at Pickwick Records; John Cale, a classically trained child prodigy. Sterling Morrison had studied with Reed at Syracuse. Drummer Angus MacLise took the name 'Velvet Underground' from a paperback and was replaced by Maureen 'Mo' Tucker. In 1965, Andy Warhol invited them to join the Exploding Plastic Inevitable, and suggested adding actress/singer Nico. They recorded their debut album in 1966 but major labels feared its controversial content and long tracks. The Velvet Underground And Nico (1966) was eventually issued by MGM/Verve. Famous for Warhol's peel-off banana sleeve and his credit as producer, it introduced Reed's infatuations - street culture and amorality as vibrant pop. Now a milestone, The Velvet Underground And Nico was initially reviled. Nico went solo in 1967 and the remaining quartet left Warhol's patronage. White Light/White Heat's (1967) raging intensity caught the group at its most radical. 'Sister Ray' was a grinding sexual cacophony, recorded live at maximum volume. By the time of Loaded, Reed had abandoned the group and Doug Yule took control. Despite its brief lifespan, the band remain massively influential. Joy Division and Jesus And Mary Chain, among many others, have declared their indebtedness.

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