A misunderstood band during their active years, The Velvet Underground became one of the main influences on the alternative/indie music scene over the decades. Their lyrically experimental music brought the avant-garde to urban pop music, addressing controversial themes such as drug use, sadomasochism and prostitution in their lyrics.
Formed in 1964 in New York City by vocalist/guitarist Lou Reed, guitarist Sterling Morrison, drummer Angus MacLise and multi-instrumentalist John Cale, a Welshman who had moved to the city a year earlier to further his studies in classical music.
In 1965, drummer MacLise was replaced by Maureen Tucker and, the following year, Andy Warhol, a visual artist who flirted with pop culture and became an icon of so-called pop art, became the group's manager. On Warhol's recommendation, German singer and model Nico joined the group.
In 1967, under the name The Velvet Underground and Nico, the band released their classic debut album, with the iconic cover featuring a banana drawn by Warhol. Some of the Velvet Underground's best-known songs are on this album, such as “Sunday Morning”, “I'm Waiting for the Man”, “All Tomorrow's Parties” and “There She Goes Again”.
Despite the strong connection with Andy Warhol, the band fired him. In 1968, White Light/White Heat arrived, without Nico. The second album shows the group at their most experimental and noisy. Attentive ears can hear seeds of musical styles that emerged years later, such as shoegaze, noise pop and dream pop. "Sister Ray" is the standout track on White Light/White Heat.
Without John Cale, who was replaced by Doug Yule, and with a more polished sound and more accessible songs, in 1969 The Velvet Underground arrived. Later, in 1970, the band released Loaded, an album that closed the group's essential discography.
In 1973, Squeeze was released, an album that is often ignored in The Velvet Underground's discography. No member of the classic lineup appears on this record. It is a work by Doug Yule and guest musicians.
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