It has been nearly 55 years since the release of the Velvet Underground's landmark first album, yet director Todd Haynes' documentary The Velvet Underground shows there is still much to learn about the iconic band. Though only together for a short while, the Velvet Underground made a lasting impact on music that is still heard today.

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It is difficult to overstate the importance of the Velvets, and though they have long since disbanded, fans new and old clamor for more details. Pulling from richly detailed accounts about the band from firsthand witnesses, Haynes blended information with entertainment in a way perfectly befitting the proto-punk legends.

Jonathan Richman Of The Modern Lovers

A grinning Jonathan Richman plays guitar and sings on stage.

One of the first acts to break that was directly influenced by the Velvet Underground was another proto-punk band called the Modern Lovers. Fronted by singer songwriter Jonathan Richman, they quickly picked up the ball left behind by the Velvets and carried it into the 1970s. Like the Velvet Underground, the Modern Lovers were one of the best overlooked bands of their time. Richman is featured as a prominent interview subject in the film and even reveals that as a teenager he was obsessed with the then obscure band. Richman was even taken in by the Velvet's manager while trying to make a name for himself as a musician in New York City.

The Velvet Underground Were Not A Big Hit

The Velvet Underground perform on stage circa 1966.

Even though the Velvet Underground's debut album has since taken its place in the annals of rock history as a classic, it wasn't well received upon initial release. In fact, all of the Velvet's releases during their initial run as a band were certified flops.

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Shockingly, The Velvet Underground and Nico reportedly sold only 30,000 copies upon its first pressing. This lack of success was one of the many factors that drove a wedge between the members of the band, and Haynes focuses on that fact as a narrative through thread of the documentary.

Velvet Underground Manager Andy Warhol

Black-and-white photo of Andy Warhol in the 1960s.

The first thing most casual fans of the Velvet Underground remember about them is their connection to the artist Andy Warhol. Warhol was one of the most prominent individuals in the art scene of the late 20th century with his culturally influential 1960s films and art pieces. He was producer on the Velvet's first album and even designed the famous banana album cover. What wasn't as well known was that he was briefly their manager. Though Warhol quickly turned the reins over to someone else, his contributions to the first album, including the addition of Nico, changed the Velvets forever.

John Waters And The Velvet Underground

Filmmaker John Waters chokes a toy flamingo.

The legendary director John Waters only appeared in the documentary for a few moments, but he regaled the audience with his own tales of the Velvets. Himself being a connoisseur of counter culture, it was not surprising that Waters was a fan of the band. What was surprising though was that he saw them perform live at their peak. Considering how few people actually got the chance to see them live, it is amazing that two cultural touchstones came together briefly before going their separate ways. One of the best bands of the 1960s undoubtably had a large impact on one of the best directors of the 1970s.

Lou Reed, Hit Maker

Lou Reed performs on stage circa 1972.

Todd Haynes went through great pains to establish the origins of the Velvet Underground's two key players, Lou Reed and John Cale. While Cale came up through New York's avant-garde music scene, Reed cut his teeth in other bands.

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In fact, Reed had a minor dance hit as a member of the forgotten band The Primitives. It was a performance of their song The Ostrich that actually brought Reed and Cale together as they bonded over the song's droning tones.

Jackson Browne And Nico

Split image: Nico, Jackson Browne in the late 1960s.

The documentary features a bevy of peripheral characters who were either involved with the Velvets or were inspired by them. The alternative nature of the band made them popular with other groups who were looking to push rock music in strange new directions. Surprisingly though, the Velvets had a direct connection with one of music's most consistent hit makers of the 1970s and '80s. Jackson Browne was involved in Andy Warhol's art scene in New York City at the same time that the Velvet Underground were making albums. Eventually, Browne would work with Nico on some of her early solo work, including writing songs for her.

Nico In, Reed Out

Lou Reed and Nico of the Velvet Underground look artistically glum together in 1967.

Velvet Underground frontman Lou Reed was never known for his beautiful singing voice, he did however bring a certain energy to his performance that was uniquely him. Under the direction of Andy Warhol, though, the artist had hoped to replace Reed with the German singer Nico who was already famous for her appearances in movies. It was not a major point in the documentary but it was shocking nonetheless, and would have totally changed what the Velvets were as a band. Nico appeared on the first album before going on to her own solo career. Nevertheless, her contributions to the band are the stuff of legend.

Rock Stars Versus Musical Innovators

Frenemies John Cale and Lou Reed play music together in the studio during the late 1960s.

Though musicians like Lou Reed and John Cale would later prove that it was possible to do both, at the time there was a large division between being a rock star and a musical innovator. In the documentary, the main conflict between Reed and Cale hinged upon their constant fighting over the direction of the band. John Cale, true to his experience, wanted the band to push music in new and interesting directions. Meanwhile, Lou Reed wanted the Velvet Underground to transition into hit making rock stars. The film makes it clear that they achieved both statuses in their own time but unfortunately it wasn't enough to keep the band from splintering over their creative differences.

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