5 Things to Know About John Cale and The Velvet Underground
- John Cale co-founded The Velvet Underground with Lou Reed in New York in 1964.
- Cale’s background in classical and experimental music shaped the band’s avant-garde sound.
- He played viola, bass, keyboards, and sang, adding a distinctive edge to the group’s early recordings.
- Cale left the band in 1968 after creative tensions with Reed, but his influence on their first two albums is undeniable.
- After leaving, he became a successful producer and solo artist, working with acts like The Stooges and Patti Smith.