THE VELVET UNDERGROUND TIMELINE
1928 – 2020
1928
AUGUST 6
Andy Warhol (Andrew Warhola) is born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1938
MARCH 14
Angus MacLise is born in Bridgeport, Connecticut
OCTOBER 16
Nico (Christa Päffgen) is born in Cologne, Germany, or in Budapest, Hungary. There is some mystery surrounding Nico with the possibility that she was born in 1939, 1940, or even 1943.
1942
MARCH 2
Lou Reed (Lewis Allan Reed) is born in Brooklyn, New York.
MARCH 9
John Cale is born in Garnant, Wales.
AUGUST 29
Holmes Sterling Morrison is born in Westbury, New York.
1944
AUGUST 26
Maureen “Moe” Tucker is born in Levittown, Long Island, New York.
1947
Lou begins to play the piano at age five.
February 25
Doug Yule is born in Mineola, New York.
1949
John begins to play the piano at age seven and Sterling begins to play the trumpet, also age seven (he’ll switch to guitar at age 12).
Andy Warhol moves to New York at age 21.
Lou begins to play the piano at age five.
1957
John begins to play the piano at age seven and Sterling begins to play the trumpet, also age seven (he’ll switch to guitar at age 12).
Andy Warhol moves to New York at age 21.
1957
Flyer by Piero Heliczer
1958
Release of seven-inch single “So Blue” by the Jades, written and performed by Lou “Lewis” Reed. The Jades played in public on a few occasions.
1959
In Rome, Nico plays a part in Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.
Nico & Mastroianni in La Dolce Vita
At the age of 17, Lou receives electroshock therapy in New York.
1960
John Cale begins studying music at Goldsmiths College in London and starts a written correspondence with John Cage.
In the Spring, Lou begins his studies at Syracuse University, where he meets his teacher, the famous poet Delmore Schwartz, who becomes both his mentor and friend.
1962
Christian Aaron “Ari” Boulogne, son of Nico and Alain Delon, is born on August 11th. `
1963
After a summer session at Tanglewood, studying with Leonard Bernstein and Aaron Copland, John arrives in New York and plays with John Cage, Angus MacLise, La Monte Young, and Tony Conrad and participates in underground happenings.
John Cale & John Cage at The Pocket Theater / John Cale with Tony Conrad, La Monte Youg & Marian Zazeela as The Dream Syndicate
March 9
Screening of Jack Smith’s Flaming Creatures at painter Jerry Jofen’s cavernous West 20th Street loft, which, among other things, had a reputation as a shooting gallery.
Lou Reed tries heroin for the first time, foreshadowing the song.
In November, Andy Warhol opens his first Factory on 47th Street.
1964
In June, Lou receives his Bachelor of Arts and is kicked out of Syracuse University.
In September, Lou is hired by the small Long Island Pickwick label as a staff songwriter. Lou writes and records a dozen songs under various names, released on cheap, trendy compilations on the label.
Nico auditions for the Blue Angel Club in New York.
In November, John Cale, along with Tony Conrad and Walter De Maria, is hired by Pickwick to promote Lou’s single “The Ostrich” as the Primitives.
The Primitives : Tony Conrad, Walter deMaria, Lou Reed, John Cale
1965
Lou and John rehearse together at John’s apartment on Ludlow Street, and perform as a duo in Harlem, mainly in front of the Baby Grand Bar on 125th Street.
Nico records her first single in London, “I’m Not Sayin’”, with Jimmy Page and Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham.
1962
1947
John begins to play the piano at age seven and Sterling begins to play the trumpet, also age seven (he’ll switch to guitar at age 12).
Andy Warhol moves to New York at age 21.
Lou begins to play the piano at age five.
Doug Yule is born in Mineola, New York.