Artist page · 05/07/2026
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
Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.
Rhino Records · 2024
Universal Music Enterprises · 2015
Polydor · 2001
Sire · 1993
Verve Records · 1986
Verve Records · 1985
Mercury · 1974
Polydor · 1973
Cotillion · 1972
Cotillion · 1970
MGM Records · 1969
Verve Records · 1968
Verve Records · 1967Playlist
The tracks that sum up The Velvet Underground's career.
The essentials
Our pick, validated by the editorial team.
Their seminal 1967 debut album blending art rock and garage psychedelia, featuring iconic tracks like "Sunday Morning" and "Heroin".
Third studio album showcasing a deeper psychedelic rock direction with songs like "Candy Says" and "The Murder Mystery".
Fourth album noted for polished production and tracks such as "Sweet Jane" and "Rock & Roll", with multiple pressings available.
Go further
Artists who share part of The Velvet Underground's musical DNA.
Collectors
The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.
For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.
The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).
Face B
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
FAQ
The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.
The Velvet Underground was formed in New York City in the mid-1960s, beginning their influential career around 1964.
The band influenced alternative rock, punk, glam rock, psychedelic rock, and experimental rock scenes.
Major releases appeared on Verve, MGM, Cotillion, Rhino, and Universal Music among others.
Original 1960s and early 1970s pressings can command high prices, especially for albums like 'The Velvet Underground & Nico'.
Vinyl shops in Paris and Lyon often stock rare pressings; online French marketplaces also offer select editions.
Look for the 1967 mono pressing on Verve Records with catalogue numbers such as V6-5008; test pressings are rarer and marked accordingly.
The band’s recordings range from lo-fi garage to more polished productions; mastering quality varies by pressing and reissue edition.
Tracks like 'Sunday Morning', 'Heroin', 'Femme Fatale', and 'Pale Blue Eyes' are among the most played and sought-after.
Transparency
This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.
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