It’s hard to deny the fact that the Velvet Underground are one of the most innovative and influential rock acts of all time—and there’s no question that tracks like “I’m Waiting For The Man” and “Sweet Jane” are going to be radio staples until well beyond the time when we’re all Lou Reed’s age. Therefore it’s hard to believe that the new tome The Velvet Underground: An Illustrated History Of A Walk On The Wild Side is the first book to present a complete oral history of the band, which coincides with their 45th anniversary—and while that seems like an interminable amount of time, this beautifully crafted and written book was worth the wait.
Written by legendary rock journalist Jim DeRogatis, the oversized book is supplemented with extremely well-written biographical notes that trace the band’s career from their formation in the late 1960s to their 1993 European reunion tour and painstakingly shows how the band were able to completely alter rock’s nascent conventions as they crafted some of the most original and distinctive music of all-time. From artist Andy Warhol’s role in the band’s creative process to insight from band members on the making of classic albums like White Light/White Heat and a cataloging of their respective post VU musical careers, The Velvet Underground: An Illustrated Walk On The Wild Side is a comprehensive glimpse at the inner workings of one of rock’s most enigmatic acts.
However the real shining point of the book are the photos—many of which have never been seen before—which juxtapose live performance images with promo shots and concert posters to craft an expansive collage of the act that shows the way the band evolved over the years both aesthetically and creatively. It’s one thing to listen to the Velvet Underground’s music, but actually seeing Warhol at work in his studio or Reed grimacing behind a pair of Ray-Bans gives new insight into what they were trying to accomplish in the context of the idealistic sixties and is a tribute to the fact that there’s yet to be a successor to the band’s irreplaceable sound.
Brian Eno once said, "Only five thousand people ever bought a Velvet Underground album, but every single one of them started a band.” However DeRogatis does Eno one better when he points out in his introduction, “Mull that over for a second and you’ll realize that it’s pure hyperbole: All of those people can’t possibly have formed bands, because many of them clearly became rock critics! Not to mention the fact that by now, we’ve endured many more than five thousand shameless Velvets clones and unapologetic V.U. namedroppers.” While the extent of the band’s influence is impossible to quantify, DeRogatis’ sentiment is right on—and whether you’re a musician, rock critic or simply a fan of the Velvet Underground’s moody sound, the lives they’ve altered through their music is astonishing. It’s nice to finally have that music mirrored in imagery.
For more information about The Velvet Underground: An Illustrated History Of A Walk On The Wild Side visit www.voyageurpress.com.