The Velvet Underground, a band that was largely overlooked during their original run from the mid-’60s into the early ’70s, had a profound impact on the music landscape in terms of innovation and influence. Infusing rock & roll with avant-garde daring and poetic realism, their music was both sonically and lyrically uncompromising. The VU’s four studio albums, including ‘The Velvet Underground & Nico,’ ‘White Light/White Heat,’ ‘The Velvet Underground,’ and ‘Loaded,’ are considered essential documents in the history of rock music. Despite being ahead of their time, the VU left a lasting impression on thoughtful listeners who would later create groundbreaking music of their own.
Historians recognize the Velvet Underground’s significant influence on the punk and new wave movements, attributing key touchstones to the band. While their music and lyrics often portrayed bleakness and primitivism, they also showcased colorful and provocative soundscapes anchored in well-constructed songs. Guitarist, singer, and songwriter Lou Reed played a pivotal role in defining the street-savvy rock & roll sound of the VU. Reed’s sing-speak vocals and gripping narratives set a new standard in the music industry, inspiring a generation of alienated artists and songwriters to explore unconventional themes and styles.
Lou Reed’s journey into the world of music began at an early age, recording singles as a teenager in the late ’50s and delving into avant-garde jazz and serious poetry in the early ’60s. Reed’s meeting with John Cale, a classically trained musician with a passion for rock & roll, marked the beginning of a partnership that would revolutionize the music scene. Fusing avant-garde elements with rock, Reed and Cale, along with other band members, formed the Velvet Underground and embarked on a musical journey that challenged traditional norms and embraced experimentation.