Le Bataclan 1972

Description

1964, New York. Lou Reed (vocals, guitar) and John Cale (bass, vocals, piano...), two avant-garde musicians, meet and agree to form a band. Shortly after, Sterling Morrison (guitar) and Maureen Tucker (drums) join the ranks. The Velvet Underground is born. The following year, Andy Warhol becomes the band's manager. Thanks to his fame, he secures a contract with Verve Records for the Velvet's first album. Warhol strongly suggests the inclusion of Nico on vocals, which Reed disapproves of. However, he eventually grants her three songs. Thus, in 1967, the Velvet's first album, titled "The Velvet Underground and Nico," is released. Warhol designed the iconic album cover: a simple peelable banana that, once removed, reveals a pink peeled banana. Next to it, one can read "Peel slowly and see." The album does not achieve great success as it was quickly withdrawn from sale due to a rights issue. Director Eric Emerson, who appears on the back cover, claims that his image was used without his consent. Once the issue is resolved, the record is re-released, but sells poorly, making the first edition a collector's item. More than forty years after its first album, "The Velvet Underground" remains a cornerstone of Rock, inspiring countless artists with its poetic, provocative, and avant-garde nature. Remastered and speed-corrected - Presented in a deluxe cover - Images taken during the concert - 24-page booklet with notes by Nina Antonia, renowned writer and music biographer.