John Cale To Celebrate Velvet Underground & Nico’ Turning 50

It’s been almost a half century since Cale, along with Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker and German vocalist Nico recorded the band’s seminal album, complete with a cover designed by Andy Warhol and sporting a banana. Brian Eno’s famous quotation sums up the 1967 release nicely.  Noting that it only originally sold 30,000 copies upon its release, Eno said “Everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies started a band.”

And why not? Emerging out of Warhol’s New York world of experimental pop art, The Velvet Underground & Nico included songs like “Heroin,” “There She Goes Again,” “Femme Fatale,” “I’m Waiting For The Man” and “All Tomorrow’s Parties.”  From Iggy Pop to David Bowie to The Strokes, innumerable artists and bands have cited its influence.

The show was announced Oct. 26, one day before the third anniversary of Reed’s death from liver disease.

“I’m often reluctant to spend too much time on things past – then, a time marker shows up – The Velvet Underground & Nico turns 50!  As so many bands can attest to, it’s the fulfillment of the ultimate dream to record your first album.  We were an unfriendly brand, dabbling in a world of challenging lyrics and weird sonics that didn’t fit into anyone’s playlist at the time,” Cale said.

“Remaining ferociously true to our viewpoints, Lou and I never doubted for a moment, we could create something to give a voice to things not regularly explored in rock music at the time.  That bizarre combination of four distinctly disparate musicians and a reluctant beauty queen perfectly summed up what it meant to be Velvet Underground.”

Cale won’t go it alone and will be joined by several special guests yet to be named.  A recent Paris performance of the album included The Libertines, Animal Collective and Mark Lanegan.

Media reports indicate Cale is also planning to perform the album in New York.  Right now the Liverpool show – May 26 at Docklands – is the only one on the books. Presales are going on now and tickets go on sale Oct. 28 at 9 a.m. GMT.  Follow this link for more information.