Artist page · 05/07/2026

The Velvet Underground

New YorkFormed in 1964Alternatif12 vinyl albums
The Velvet Underground, formed in New York City in the mid-1960s, blended psychedelic, art rock, and proto-punk influences during a brief but influential career that ended in 1996. They are associated with Andy Warhol's Factory and shaped alternative rock.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
12Albums on Vinyles.com
2190Discogs releases
3.2MLast.fm listeners

About

Key albums on Verve, MGM, Rhino — original 1967 LPs fetch hundreds in euros.

The Velvet Underground emerged from New York's underground music scene with a distinctive approach merging garage rock, psychedelic sounds, and experimental techniques. Their catalog features 18 vinyl releases covering studio albums, live recordings, and soundtracks predominantly spanning 1967 to the early 1970s. Members like Lou Reed and John Cale brought avant-garde instruments and themes around drugs, sexuality, and urban life. Although commercial success was limited during their active years, the band’s experimental sound and attitude fostered a lasting legacy impacting punk, glam, and alternative rock movements.

The group's early association with Andy Warhol led to collaborations including Nico's vocals on their 1967 debut.

Discography

The Velvet Underground discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Loaded (Alternate Version)Rhino Records · 2024
2024
Loaded (Alternate Version)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo
Studio
The Complete Matrix TapesUniversal Music Enterprises · 2015
2015
The Complete Matrix Tapes
CD, Album, Box Set
Studio
Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine TapesPolydor · 2001
2001
Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine Tapes
CD, Album, Remastered, Box Set
Studio
Live MCMXCIIISire · 1993
1993
Live MCMXCIII
CD, Album, Stereo
Studio
Another ViewVerve Records · 1986
1986
Another View
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
VUVerve Records · 1985
1985
VU
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
1969 Velvet Underground Live With Lou ReedMercury · 1974
1974
1969 Velvet Underground Live With Lou Reed
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
SqueezePolydor · 1973
1973
Squeeze
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Live At Max's Kansas CityCotillion · 1972
1972
Live At Max's Kansas City
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Live
LoadedCotillion · 1970
1970
Loaded
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
The Velvet UndergroundMGM Records · 1969
1969
The Velvet Underground
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
White Light/White HeatVerve Records · 1968
1968
White Light/White Heat
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
The Velvet Underground & NicoVerve Records · 1967
1967
The Velvet Underground & Nico
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up The Velvet Underground's career.

01
Sunday Morning
Sunday Morning
The Velvet Underground & Nico · 1967
02
Femme Fatale
Femme Fatale
The Velvet Underground & Nico · 1967
03
Pale Blue Eyes
Pale Blue Eyes
The Velvet Underground · 1969
04
Heroin
Heroin
The Velvet Underground & Nico · 1967
05
Venus in Furs
Venus in Furs
The Velvet Underground & Nico · 1967
06
I'll Be Your Mirror
I'll Be Your Mirror
The Velvet Underground & Nico · 1967
07
I'm Waiting for the Man
I'm Waiting for the Man
The Velvet Underground & Nico · 1967
08
After Hours
After Hours
The Velvet Underground · 1969

The essentials

The 3 The Velvet Underground albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1967
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
The Velvet Underground & Nico

Their seminal 1967 debut album blending art rock and garage psychedelia, featuring iconic tracks like "Sunday Morning" and "Heroin".

11 tracksMono versionVerve RecordsOriginal pressing in high demand
Discover the album
#2 · 1969
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
The Velvet Underground

Third studio album showcasing a deeper psychedelic rock direction with songs like "Candy Says" and "The Murder Mystery".

10 tracksStereoMGM RecordsCanadian original pressing sought by collectors
Discover the album
#3 · 1970
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Loaded

Fourth album noted for polished production and tracks such as "Sweet Jane" and "Rock & Roll", with multiple pressings available.

10 tracksStereoCotillion labelNumerous vinyl versions
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to The Velvet Underground

Artists who share part of The Velvet Underground's musical DNA.

Lou Reed
Lou Reed
John Cale
John Cale
The Stooges
The Stooges
Television
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan
The Doors
The Doors
The Kinks
The Kinks
The Beatles
The Beatles

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of The Velvet Underground

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Their influence lies more in their artistic independence and radical sound than mainstream commercial success.
— Rock historians
01Pressing

Original Canadian pressing of 'The Velvet Underground' album

The 1969 'The Velvet Underground' vinyl in its Canadian pressing on MGM Records has a want/have ratio of 2.8:1, with only one copy currently for sale, making it highly sought after by collectors.

1969Canada
02Test pressing

US test pressing of 'The Velvet Underground & Nico'

A 1966 US test pressing of "The Velvet Underground & Nico" on Verve Records is counted among the most wanted, with 3.5 times more wants than known copies owned by collectors.

1966US
03Release

2002 European limited edition of 'Loaded (Alternate Version)'

The 'Reload - The Second Chapter' European LP is a limited edition unofficial release from 2002 on Loaded Records, available in small quantities with prices around €45 among vinyl dealers.

2002Europe
04Recording

Lou Reed and John Cale's avant-garde instrumentation

John Cale’s use of viola and unconventional sounds alongside Lou Reed’s songwriting brought a unique edge blending rock with experimental and psychedelic textures in the late 1960s recordings.

1967-1969New York

Records by The Velvet Underground

See all
1969 - Front Cover 1969 - Back Cover

1969

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
POLYDOR
From $35.98 2 offers
Loaded - Front Cover Loaded - Front Cover

Loaded

The Velvet Underground
Indie rock Alternative
RHINO
From $26.90 1 offer
NOW PLAYING - Front Cover NOW PLAYING - Back Cover

NOW PLAYING

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
RHINO
From $14.99 1 offer
LIVE AT MAX'S KANSAS CITY : EXPANDED (SYEOR) - Front Cover LIVE AT MAX'S KANSAS CITY : EXPANDED (SYEOR) - Back Cover

LIVE AT MAX'S KANSAS CITY : EXPANDED (SYEOR)

The Velvet Underground
Psychedelic Rock Rock
RHINO
From $35.06 1 offer
The Velvet Underground & Nico - Front Cover

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $45.00 1 offer
LOADED - Front Cover

LOADED

The Velvet Underground
Psychedelic rock Rock
RHINO
From $24.99 1 offer
LOADED (ATLANTIC 75) - Front Cover

LOADED (ATLANTIC 75)

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
RHINO
From $26.99 1 offer
The Velvet Underground & Nico - Front Cover

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
POLYDOR
From $29.95 2 offers
The Velvet Underground: A Documentary Film By Todd Haynes - Front Cover

The Velvet Underground: A Documentary Film By Todd Haynes

The Velvet Underground
Film Music Soundtracks (Films, series, games, etc.)
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $18.95 1 offer
The Velvet Underground - Front Cover

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $82.02 1 offer
The Boston Tea Party - July 11th 1969 - Front Cover

The Boston Tea Party - July 11th 1969

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
RR
View details
The Boston Tea Party - January 10th 1969 - Front Cover

The Boston Tea Party - January 10th 1969

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
RR
View details
The Velvet Underground - Front Cover

The Velvet Underground

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
POLYDOR
From $30.90 2 offers
At The End Of Cole Avenue - The Second Night - Front Cover

At The End Of Cole Avenue - The Second Night

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
RR
View details
The Velvet Underground & Nico - Front Cover

The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
View details
LOADED - Front Cover LOADED - Front Cover

LOADED

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
RHINO
From $27.97 1 offer
Banana Cover - Andy Warhol - MONO VERSION - Front Cover

Banana Cover - Andy Warhol - MONO VERSION

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
SCORPIO
View details
Banana Cover-Andy Warhol - Front Cover

Banana Cover-Andy Warhol

The Velvet Underground
International Rock Rock
SCORPIO
View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

When was The Velvet Underground formed?

The Velvet Underground was formed in New York City in the mid-1960s, beginning their influential career around 1964.

What genres did The Velvet Underground influence?

The band influenced alternative rock, punk, glam rock, psychedelic rock, and experimental rock scenes.

Which labels released The Velvet Underground vinyl records?

Major releases appeared on Verve, MGM, Cotillion, Rhino, and Universal Music among others.

Are original pressings of The Velvet Underground vinyl records valuable?

Original 1960s and early 1970s pressings can command high prices, especially for albums like 'The Velvet Underground & Nico'.

Where in France can I find rare Velvet Underground vinyls?

Vinyl shops in Paris and Lyon often stock rare pressings; online French marketplaces also offer select editions.

How do I identify an original pressing of 'The Velvet Underground & Nico'?

Look for the 1967 mono pressing on Verve Records with catalogue numbers such as V6-5008; test pressings are rarer and marked accordingly.

What should I know about The Velvet Underground's sound quality on vinyl?

The band’s recordings range from lo-fi garage to more polished productions; mastering quality varies by pressing and reissue edition.

What are The Velvet Underground's most popular vinyl tracks?

Tracks like 'Sunday Morning', 'Heroin', 'Femme Fatale', and 'Pale Blue Eyes' are among the most played and sought-after.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 05/07/2026