“We needed someone like Andy. He was a genius for getting publicity. Once we were in Providence to play at the Rhode Island School of Design and they sent a TV newsman to talk to us. Andy did the interview lying on the ground with his head propped up on one arm. There were some studded balls with lights shining on them and when the interviewer asked him why he was on the ground, Andy said, ‘So I can see the stars better.’ The interview ended with the TV guy lying flat on his back saying, ‘Yeah, I see what you mean.’” – John Cale
John Cale and Lou Reed, the founding members of The Velvet Underground, had totally different musical backgrounds. Cale was a classically trained pianist who’d studied composition while Reed was working as a writer on made-to-order pop songs. Meeting Andy Warhol and Nico changed everything for them.
Photo: Sterling Morrison, John Cale, Andy Warhol and Nico. (Herve Gloaguen, 1966)
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