The Velvet Underground

Rock1964–1996United States 1960s 1980s 1970s 2010s 2020s 1990s 1940s

About The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964. They became known for their integration of rock and roll and the avant-garde, which earned them little commercial success during their initial nine-year run but made them one of the most influential bands of their era, particularly in underground, experimental, and alternative music scenes. Their provocative subject matter and experimentation were instrumental in the development of punk rock, new wave and other genres. In 1998, The New York Times called them "arguably the most influential American rock band of our time". The group performed under several names before settling on The Velvet Underground in 1965, taken from the title of a 1963 book on atypical sexual behavior. Its classic lineup consisted of singer and guitarist Lou Reed, Welsh multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and percussionist Moe Tucker. In 1966, pop artist Andy Warhol became their official manager. They served as the house band at Warhol's studio, The Factory, and performed with his traveling multimedia show, Exploding Plastic Inevitable, from 1966 to 1967. Their debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico...