The Velvet Underground were an American rock band formed in New York City in 1964 — Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker, with Nico on the debut. Barely sold in their day, endlessly influential since: The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967) is where art rock and proto-punk begin. Browse The Velvet Underground vinyl, CDs, and reissues at Wax Trax Records.
The Velvet Underground formed in New York City in 1964. The classic lineup was Lou Reed (vocals, guitar; 1942-2013), John Cale (viola, bass, keyboards), Sterling Morrison (guitar; 1942-1995), and Maureen Tucker (drums), with the German singer and model Nico (1938-1988) featured on the debut album at the suggestion of manager Andy Warhol. Though they achieved little commercial success during their existence, the band's influence on subsequent rock, punk, and alternative music is immense and extensively documented.
The Velvet Underground fused rock and roll with avant-garde and experimental techniques, droning textures, and frank lyrics about subjects rarely addressed in 1960s pop, including drug use, sexuality, and urban alienation. Their work ranged from abrasive noise to tender ballads, and they are widely cited as foundational to art rock, proto-punk, and indie rock.
The catalog has been extensively reissued, including 45th anniversary and super deluxe editions of the debut and multi-disc sets compiling the band's recordings. Original Verve and MGM pressings, especially of the banana-cover debut, are among the most collectible in rock.
Listeners new to the band almost always start with The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967). For related listening, see and .
