So, he decided the only option was to leave The Velvet Underground.įollowing the departure of John Cale, The Velvet Underground began looking for a replacement. For John Cale this was hugely disappointing. Eventually, Lou Reed won over the rest of The Velvet Underground. No longer would they be an art rock group whose music appealed to discerning music lovers. This he felt, would broaden their appeal. Lou Reed believed that The Velvet Underground’s music should become more pop oriented. John Cale wanted The Velvet Underground to continue to innovate, and create experimental music like White Light/White Heat, The Velvet Underground’s sophomore album. This had been a bone of contention between the pair for some time. John Cale however, didn’t agree with how Lou Reed’s master-plan. They had to release music that was much more pop oriented, and therefore, commercial. This was meant to the start of a bright new future for The Velvet Underground.Īfter two albums which had failed commercially, Lou Reed decided that The Velvet Underground had to change tack. It featured the debut of Doug Yule, who was brought in to replace John Cale. They had released their third album The Velvet Underground in March 1969. It was the start of a bright new dawn.įor The Velvet Underground, 1969 had been a turbulent year. Live at Max’s Kansas City also fulfilled The Velvet Underground’s contractual obligations to Atlantic Records, and marked the end of an era. It became The Velvet Underground’s first live album, which was reissued by Rhino on 22nd January 2016. This became Live at Max’s Kansas City, which was released on May 30th 1972.
They looked through the Atlantic Records’ archives, and decided to release an album of live material. To make matters worse, The Velvet Underground still owed Atlantic Records an album. For the members of The Velvet Underground this was a crushing blow. They also realised that the new songs weren’t good enough, so rejected them out of hand. They were like a rudderless ship heading perilously close to the rocks.Įxecutives at Atlantic Records realised this. However, The Velvet Underground without Lou Reed was a totally different band to the one Atlantic Records had signed in 1969. These songs, they hoped, would feature on their fifth album. When The Velvet Underground returned home, they headed to Atlantic Records’ headquarters, where they showcased their new songs. During the tour, the members of The Velvet Underground wrote some new songs for the album they owed Atlantic Records. This new lineup of The Velvet Underground spent part of 1971 touring North America. To play bass, Walter Power was drafted in. So bassist Doug Yule switched to bass and took charge of lead vocals. They were due to tour North America, promoting Loaded. This presented a problem for The Velvet Underground. By then, Lou Reed had left the group he had cofounded. They released their fourth studio album Loaded, on 15th November 1970. Instead, 1970 was The Velvet Underground’s annus horribilis.
This should’ve been the dawn of a new era for The Velvet Underground, where they belatedly made a commercial breakthrough. They had just signed a two album deal with Atlantic Records in late 1969. THE VELVET UNDERGROUND-LIVE AT MAX’S KANSAS CITY.ġ970 should’ve been the start of a new era for The Velvet Underground. THE VELVET UNDERGROUND-LIVE AT MAX’S KANSAS CITY.