The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was a first American rock/punk band that was mostly active from 1965-1973(although was off and on for years later). Although the band has had many different players Lou Reed and John Cale were the most active and longest players. They were known by one of the most influential and important groups of there era. There music inspired many who heard to start there own bands with genres including Experimental, Postpunk, New Wave, and Gothic Rock.
In 1964 Lou Reed performed with a few garage bands although they never lasted long. A little later Reed met John Cale, a Welshman, who moved to the United States to study music. Although he was more of a classical man he was also interested in Rock. Reed and John talked alot about droning sounds and using guitar in a style to create that sound. They rehearsed it together and finding there similiar interests began the early stages of the Velvet Underground. Reed and Cale recruited Sterling Morrison, an old classmate of Reeds, to their band to play guitar. Also recruting Angus Maclise to percussion. They called themselves Warlocks and later Falling Spikes. The Velvet Underground was a book about the sexual underground of the early 60's by Michael Leigh that Reed picked up and read. The group liked the name and the concept changing their previous Falling Spikes to The Velvet Underground. They then came out with the song Venus in Furs.(http://youtube.com/watch?v=AwzaifhSw2c&feature=related)
The new announced Velvet Underground performed alot in New York City being a more relaxed group, which would change later. In July 1965 they recorded a demo tape that never became much although in 1995 it was released on the box set and named Peel Slowly and See. When the group recieved 75$ for performing at a highschool in Summit, New Jersey, Maclise left the group considering it a sellout. Maclise was replaced by Moe(Maureen) Tucker. Her playing on percussion was unusual: she would play on tom toms and an upturned bass drum, using mallets as dumsticks and never really played the cymbals. One time when her drums were stolen at a performance she used garbage cans. Her unusual methods aroused a few people which earned them a regular playing gig.
Andy Warhol became the bands manager in 1965 and suggested they let Nico a singer born in Germany contribute in several songs. By having Warhol as there manager they gained an even higher reputation. Warhol helped secure the group a record contract with MGM's Verve Records, with Warhol as the producer. Warhol set up roadshows that traveled and played for several months first playing in NewYorkCity then traveling through the United states and Canada. Eventually their last installment ended in May 1967.
After Warhol pressuring Nico into the band they released there record The Velvet Underground and Nico in March 1967 at the Verve Records. A few different songs showcased their dynamic range such as "Heroin" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=6xcwt9mSbYE), "Run Run Run" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=4Bp-ihtgzdE), "I'm Waiting for the Man" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=1UpFGoJHwLI) and many more.
The Velvet Underground performed live often and there music became louder and harsher more and more. Cale had reported that this early in time The Velvet Undergound was one of few to recieve an endorsment from Vox. With there new producer Tom Wilson, Cale started playing more piano in there new record WhiteLight/WhiteHeat. There were a few different types of songs some noisy ones such as "SisterRay" "I Heard Her Call My Name" (http://youtube.com/watch?v=vX_huSGJDFY), and some more darkly ones like "The Gift". The record was released January 30, 1968. However the group was tired of recieving little recognition for its work and Reed and Cale were pulling them in different directions. Two pop like songs in Reeds direction and a few more droning songs in Cales direction.
There was often a struggle between Reed and Cale, Reed never agreed with Cales experimental music saying it could cost them but Cale said they needed something new. Before any work on their third album Cale was kicked out of the band and was replaced by Doug Yule. The Velvet Underground was recorded in the late 1968 and released in 1969. With Yules new influence on new equipment the group started playing with 12 string guitars which gave there new album a more folkish tune. In 1969 most of there time was on the road, not feeling at home in New York City, making music that will never be released because of disputes from there record companys. Also in 1969 Mike Curb president of MGM wanted to purge any drug-or hippie related bands and The Velvet were on the list. Atlantic records signed the Velvet's final studio album with Reed. From Atlantics request the new album was called Loaded because it was loaded with there hits including "Sweet Jane" and "Rock and Roll". (http://youtube.com/watch?v=lzm5NUg-8Tc)
In August, 1970 Reed quit the band due to no progress being made and always being pressured by their manager Steve Sesnick. Every time Lou Reed saw the album Loaded in stores he would say bitterly, "I left them an album with the hits I made". Reed was most bitter about how they alternated some of his songs.
Now having Yule as LeadVocals/guitarist and Willie Alexander as backupvocals/keyboard, The Velvet Underground played shows in England/Wales/and Netherlands. Some of the bands were dissapointed with the new written songs and their new name "Velveteen Underground".
In 1972 Atlantic released Live At Max's Kansas City a live bootleg version of the Velvet Underground's final performance with Reed. Meanwhile with Yules group Sesnick secured a contract with Polydor Records in England, and fired Tucker, Powers, and Alexander. After sending them back to the US Yule recorded the new album Squeeze under his name with a few assistance musicians. After the lineup of the new album a tour was scheduled through the UK, Sesnick left the band right before the tour started, leaving Yule to pull the plug when the tour ended in December. In February of 1973 the album Squeeze was released, in Europe only, which recieved terrible reviews. Although Yule ended the Velvet's in 1972, in 1973 a cover band with Doug Yule, Billy Yule, George Kay, and Don Silverman played in New England. Their manager misleadingly billed them as the Velvet Underground. The band objected the the billing and parted there ways with manager.
Meanwhile in 1972 Reed, Cale and Nico teamed up to play a few concerts in Paris and London. Besides that Reed and Cale developed solo careers, and Morrison became a teacher of Literature at the University of Texas. Tucker rasied a family before contributing in a few small gigs and recordings in the 1980's. In July 1988 Nico died of a cerebral hemorrhage following a bycicle accident. In 1990 Reed and Cale released Songs for Drella dedicated to Andy Warhol who had recently passed away. Before that album the Reed and Cale had not worked together for what seemed decades. After fans saw the album there were rumors of reunion of the Velvet Underground fueled by Morrison, Cale, Reed and Tucker playing Heroin in France as an encore the to new album. The foursome reunited as The Velvet Underground and had a tour through England. After the success of there first tour in England they proposed a few tours in the US. Although before any of the Us tours could happen Reed and Cale left again breaking up the band once more. On August 1995 Sterling Morrison died of lymphoma. It seems the band was really over forever but shockingly Cale and Reed put there disputes aside due to being placed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996. Reed, Cale and Tucker played at the ceromony a song written for Morrison called "Last Night I said Goodbye to My Friend". (http://youtube.com/watch?v=_bPH26aNltQ)
The band still exists in New York with a based partnership managing the financial aspects for the band members. No performances will be played, thus the end of the band Velvet Underground.
I think their music was original, catchy and very influential with there droning sounds and additions never heard before.