Of course Lou, Sterling Morrison, John Cale and Angus McLise (their first drummer, of an uspeakably short career).
(click to see a larger, out of sight picture of the greatest poet/ musician of the 20th century)
A Welshman, came to NY in the early sixties on a Leonard Bernstein scholarship. He used to play electric viola, and the bass for the Velvets, until 1968. If you're looking for songs that he sang lead on, they're principally 'The Gift' on 'White Light' and 'Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams' on 'Peel Slowly And See.'
Before he got to know Lou, he was in an experimental band called The Dream Syndicate, a group of classical musicians around La Monte Young. A very interesting ensemble recalled lately in releases on the Table of Elements label ("The Day of the Niagara"). Mostly their rehearsals consisted in trying to keep playing the same note (on various instruments such as John's viola, violin, and others) for as long as possible, which created a very disturbing sound cycle (the theory is complicated, but fascinating).
After he left the Velvets in 1968, he went on to produce some new bands (especially the Stooges' first album), got a divorce from Betsey Johnson, the famous fashion designer, and established a fairly successful solo career. Some of its highlights:
'Paris 1919'
'Wrong Way Up' (with Brian Eno, 1991)
'Songs For Drella' (with Lou, 1990)
Moe Tucker replaces Angus McLise. And they're spotted by Andy's Factory associate, Barbara Rubin. Here's Lou with Andy, the pope of pop art. And pop went pop music, the headlines said!
With the EPI shows already commenced, Nico is added to the line-up as singer of three songs, written by Lou on Warhol's demand, we could say ("How many songs have you written? /I wrote none, I lied and said ten/ you won't be young forever/ you should have written fifteen..." - from "Songs For Drella")
Nico also sings them on their debut LP, which came out only a year later:
'Femme Fatale'
'All Tomorrow's Parties'
and 'I'll Be Your Mirror.'
Real name: Christa Paffgen
Nationality: German
Born: Cologne, 1938
Parents: father was a German soldier executed by the Nazis after he got wounded in battle
First occupation: modelling(she moved to France soon after embarking upon her modelling career at the tender age of 16)
Where the nickname comes from: one of her boyfriends
Her first acting role: Frederico Fellini's 'La Dolce Vita', 1960
Launch of her singing carrer: the single 'The Last Mile/I'm Not Saying'(written and produced in London by Bob Dylan). There exists a video to the song "I'm Not Saying"
Cooperation with the VU: 1966-67
The Velvet Underground & Nico: a contribution to 3 songs
Her first solo album:'Chelsea Girl,' 1968 (produced by Andy Warhol, most songs written by Lou and Sterl, collaboration by Jackson Browne - on the guitar)
Nico passed away in 1988, while she was in Ibiza. Supposed cause of death: heart attack. Prior to her death she had had long lasting problems with drug abuse (mostly heroin). She never married or had a stronger affiliation with any men. Her different friends and lovers over the years included Delon, Lou, the French director Philippe Garrel and other lesser known musicians (including from her own backing band). She was a controversial figure, beautiful, admired by many and lonely at the same time, perhaps on purpose.
John Cale leaves the group.
Doug Yule joines.