The Cult Of The Velvet Underground Evermore?

Saturday morning, as I was listening to KOOP 91.7 radio, I learned that the show, Adventures In Sound (1-2 PM), hosted by Dennis Campa, would be interviewing Richie Unterberger, who has a new book, “White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day-By-Day.” I tuned in at 1 and really enjoyed the interview, and learned some new things as well. I know quite a bit about The Velvet Underground already, but Richie has unearthed the type of detail that puts the Velvets in your flat and in your face, not in an NYC alley with crank and H junkies shakin` in their jeans. ‘The Punks’ who put the Velvets up on a pedestal *(you know who you are!) will need to add this monograph to their collection.

I caught a movie at Dobie, “Summer Hours,” then went by Book People to try and find the VU edition. They had it, but it was $30, so I`ve earmarked it for my next paycheck. I did give it a proper once over however, and it`s a lovely treatise; more of a journal of the day to day developments in the abreviated career of the Velvet Underground. I should have recorded Dennis Campa`s interview, but I did manage to pick up on many of Richie Unterberger`s fresh observations about the Velvet`s art. An example would be, the best theory for John Cale`s departure from the band was artistic differences, Cale wanted to get more experimental, and Lou Reed wanted to veer (sprint) towards the center of Rock `n` Roll.

The Velvet Underground was not that popular in the late 1960s and did not sell all that many records. Why then, have they been so elevated to the status of ‘Art Gods’ now? That`s still not so easy to answer. I had some contact with Sterling Morrison before his death in 1995. He was just a humble rhythm guitar player, from what I could tell. Yet this is a clue for me as to why The Velvets are so important. Each band member made an equal contribution. Last night I read Lester Bang`s article, “Your Shadow Is Scared Of You: An Attempt Not To Be Frightened By Nico.” Lester was squarely trans-mutated, fixated on “The Marble Index” record of Nico? Yes, devotional worship begins many years ago.

Related posts:

1. The Velvet Touch Of Nino Rota, Italian Composer Of Film Scores