This documentary aired in 1986. Andy Warhol would leave this Earth the next following year. February 22, 1987. Nico left this world 2 years later on July 18, 1988. She was 49 years old. Sterling Morrison left August 30, 1995. He was 53 years old. Lou Reed left October 27, 2013. He was 71 years old. John Cale & Maureen Tucker are still with us.
I'm overcome with gratitude for this band and for this gem of a documentary. I can't help but think about Brian Eno's famous quote about how, "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies [of The Velvet Underground and Nico] started a band." I just logged view number 5,355 of this video - a shockingly low number. The Velvets are still underground relative to their impact and importance. Good.
I remember quite vividly watching this as a 17 year old in my conservative village in Wales. It was like from outer-space, and was a gateway drug into much better stuff than my friends were into. Thanks for maybe saving me from Heavy Metal.
What's the song at about 11 minutes in? It sounds like the Crystals and Then He Kissed Me. The words 'Uptown Party' appear but I can't find a track anywhere with this title.
Absolutely incredible music and lyrical TRAILBLAZER A MOZART OF BARRIER SMASHED AND DESTROYED BY THE SATIRICAL PSUEDO POLITUCAL MAJESTY THE BIRTHDAY FOR ALLINDIE FANS AND INSTRUMENTALGENIUS LOU REED AND MARRIANNE FAITHFUL (ALONG WITH MASTER CALE AND THE BLESSINGS OF OUR PSYCHEDELIC FAMILY WORLDWIDE EVOLUTION ...
Exellent documentary and Sterl says it correctly: Venus In Furs is the defining Velvets song. And Cale wearing that Beethoven t-shirt is priceless and appropriate for the Welsh Wizard.
The south bank show was actually really good, and, kind of ahead of its time. I was a child of the punk era, and remember this documentary very fondly, thanks for the upload.
Probably because he wasn't very good, except as a Lou clone, which is what Steve Sesnick, the Velvets manager in 1969, seemed to want. Although, having said that, the 'Squeeze The Velvet Underground' album (1970) is an interesting curiosity, with Doug Yule channelling Lou Reed so perfectly in a couple of songs that it's almost creepy.
@@timleopardxolo how can you say that?!? Have you not heard The Matrix Tapes, Live 1969 and the Quine Tapes? He was absolutely vital to the post Cale VU, especially live, often doubling on bass and keys like Ray from The Doors. Doug Yule was white washed from VU history because Lou was an insufferable bastard. It would really impress me if John and Mo petitioned the RnR HOF to go ahead and induct Doug with the rest of the band. Lou forbid it at the time.
Doug Yule was a prof musician,very talented & part of the history of VU. A really nice soulful funny guy. All were liking him. But Lou was very jealous. Musically better trained and even able to save the ass of Lou and the Velvets! He joined later some live concerts of the former members and did a very good job. Ask Moe Tucker. She was angry, missing Yule a lot. He never was getting the deserved attention of his impacts. The albums with him were great. I love all VU albums. That they sound different is evolution. He was also a good songwriter! Lou was the dark side of the coin & Sterling & Doug were the bright one. That's all.❤😊🎉😂
The song is called 'The Osterrich' it was written by Lou Reed when he was in a band with John Cale called the Primitives. This was in the days before the VU around 1965.
Sterling is correct. Nobody was making music as distinctive as "Venus in Furs" at that time! What a fantastic band and a great doc. The few South Bank Shows I've had the pleasure to watch are really fine. I like this and the one with Peter Gabriel as he's recording his fourth solo album ("Security" here in the US) a lot.
I was right out of high school when I picked up The Velvet Underground Live Vol 1 1969 CD and followed up by buying Lou's solo albums New York; Coney Island Baby; and RocknRoll Animal (of course). My older bro then bought me VU Greatest hits for Xmas, 1993 and I soon realized anything Velvet Underground is a worthy purchase (Except Live at Cole Ave ... overall bad recordings). I watched the Todd Haynes Doc last year; and this 1986 South Bank video is definitely another good watch. Gotta luv John Cale pointing out: "We were trying to be revolutionary." Well, I believe him. VU my favorite rocknroll band. I tend to agree their influence is undeniable (rock, punk, alternative rock...). Love the 3rd album: Put jelly on your shoulder, baby ... Some Kinda' Love. The Previously Unreleased Recordings (released 1985) with the song Foggy Notion and the original version of Andy's Chest (Transformer) is the best 'album'' I have heard nobody ever talks about. Velvet's were so much more than free form noise (although Lou was inspired by Ornette Coleman ! ). Great variety. VU took pride in being a "live band."
What this docu LEAVES OUT is that Warhol did not like or even rate Lou Reed and his massive ego. He went for Nico as the icon for the band. Reed, consumed with jealousy, made sure this did not happen and slowly but surely he squeezed Nico from the limelight..and then eventually from the band.
All this and not even ten seconds of the velvets performing, where audio matches video. We either get studio audio with live video lerformances or we get live performance video with audio from a previously released live album. And that is kt. Warhol was an asshole.
As a fan of the 3rd & 4th Velvet Underground albums they could have at least mentioned Doug Yule. Loaded is just as much a Velvet Underground album as the self titled first album.
@@sarahwelty9223 If he wasnt he deserved to be.. He came across as a bit of a prick to be honest. Think he thought he was to cool to take his hands from behind his massively expansive head
This documentary aired in 1986.
Andy Warhol would leave this Earth the next following year. February 22, 1987.
Nico left this world 2 years later on July 18, 1988. She was 49 years old.
Sterling Morrison left August 30, 1995. He was 53 years old.
Lou Reed left October 27, 2013. He was 71 years old.
John Cale & Maureen Tucker are still with us.
Fascinated about this period..❤
In 1967, I bought a Vinyl Copy of White Light, White Heat for a Dollar in a discarded Album bin. I was 16 ! Rolled a Joint and listened.
So you started a band I hear
White Light, White Heat wasn't released until '68.
I'm overcome with gratitude for this band and for this gem of a documentary. I can't help but think about Brian Eno's famous quote about how, "everyone who bought one of those 30,000 copies [of The Velvet Underground and Nico] started a band." I just logged view number 5,355 of this video - a shockingly low number. The Velvets are still underground relative to their impact and importance. Good.
I initially thought you personally watched this that many times.
I think this was a great band, not because they sang or played good but because they were cool.
once in a lifetime band ❤
John Cale was the key to their sound IMHO.
It seems tame now..but in the mid '60's....these people were from MARS !!! ❤
The south bank show theme tune takes me back to being a kid late Sunday evening ☺
Unique footage wooooooooow whole Velvets in separate ways theyre together !!!
Mob tucker.....we luv you..God live velvet underground
I remember quite vividly watching this as a 17 year old in my conservative village in Wales. It was like from outer-space, and was a gateway drug into much better stuff than my friends were into. Thanks for maybe saving me from Heavy Metal.
Metal great too
I hope you also delved into your Countryman's discography, John Cale, the real talent of the Velvets!
Who shot the video that starts around 35:09? Fantastic.
Would of loved a burst of pre velvets single: A, sneaky Pete and (b side) the ostrich,
A friends called his first band this, great handle.
What's the song at about 11 minutes in? It sounds like the Crystals and Then He Kissed Me. The words 'Uptown Party' appear but I can't find a track anywhere with this title.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Lady at 13:11, "What the fuck you doin!? fucking piece of shit!"
❤️
Absolutely incredible music and lyrical TRAILBLAZER A MOZART OF BARRIER SMASHED AND DESTROYED BY THE SATIRICAL PSUEDO POLITUCAL MAJESTY THE BIRTHDAY FOR ALLINDIE FANS AND INSTRUMENTALGENIUS LOU REED AND MARRIANNE FAITHFUL (ALONG WITH MASTER CALE AND THE BLESSINGS OF OUR PSYCHEDELIC FAMILY WORLDWIDE EVOLUTION ...
song at 6:33?
Nobody'll Care by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas th-cam.com/video/yUcs905JAV8/w-d-xo.html
I love that song..
show me would want yo
I hated Nico.
----- penny the poo -----
Exellent documentary and Sterl says it correctly: Venus In Furs is the defining Velvets song. And Cale wearing that Beethoven t-shirt is priceless and appropriate for the Welsh Wizard.
I think that there are many contenders, at least 10...
I had a brilliant Lecturer for English A level Mr Adrian Eccelsley who was into Velvet Underground, he got me into their song 'The Gift'
The south bank show was actually really good, and, kind of ahead of its time.
I was a child of the punk era, and remember this documentary very fondly, thanks for the upload.
Imagine having Mo Tucker as your grandmother! 46:41
YOU GOTTA LOVE "LOU REED".
The ultimate band
th-cam.com/video/4VecuSrL0Pw/w-d-xo.html
I bought White heat white light when it was new I was a teenager I thought it was so cool I I still listen to the l.p I'm 69 yrs old
White light white heat
OMG IM JUST DISCOVERING THE SOUTH BANK SHOW!
They're amazing and I love the vepvets.
Beautiful thanks for posting
Doug Yule seems to have been airbrushed out of this VU history
good
Probably because he wasn't very good, except as a Lou clone, which is what Steve Sesnick, the Velvets manager in 1969, seemed to want. Although, having said that, the 'Squeeze The Velvet Underground' album (1970) is an interesting curiosity, with Doug Yule channelling Lou Reed so perfectly in a couple of songs that it's almost creepy.
@@timleopardxolo how can you say that?!? Have you not heard The Matrix Tapes, Live 1969 and the Quine Tapes? He was absolutely vital to the post Cale VU, especially live, often doubling on bass and keys like Ray from The Doors. Doug Yule was white washed from VU history because Lou was an insufferable bastard. It would really impress me if John and Mo petitioned the RnR HOF to go ahead and induct Doug with the rest of the band. Lou forbid it at the time.
@@timleopardxolo I feel bad for him having to live up to Lou, he never stood a chance
Doug Yule was a prof musician,very talented & part of the history of VU. A really nice soulful funny guy. All were liking him. But Lou was very jealous. Musically better trained and even able to save the ass of Lou and the Velvets! He joined later some live concerts of the former members and did a very good job. Ask Moe Tucker. She was angry, missing Yule a lot. He never was getting the deserved attention of his impacts. The albums with him were great. I love all VU albums. That they sound different is evolution. He was also a good songwriter! Lou was the dark side of the coin & Sterling & Doug were the bright one. That's all.❤😊🎉😂
God i love the Velvets, astoundingly magnificent
Most groundbreaking band ever
Loved this! I miss the Southbank Show. Thank you so much.
… cool stuff 🤙🏼🤘🏼🍄 … thank you -
Is that Lord Bragg?
This documentary played in a place around 57th St in the ‘80’s. I was blown away by it. It’s great to see it again! Many thanks!!
What's the song that plays at 11:30
The song is called 'The Osterrich' it was written by Lou Reed when he was in a band with John Cale called the Primitives. This was in the days before the VU around 1965.
Sterling is correct. Nobody was making music as distinctive as "Venus in Furs" at that time! What a fantastic band and a great doc. The few South Bank Shows I've had the pleasure to watch are really fine. I like this and the one with Peter Gabriel as he's recording his fourth solo album ("Security" here in the US) a lot.
I was right out of high school when I picked up The Velvet Underground Live Vol 1 1969 CD and followed up by buying Lou's solo albums New York; Coney Island Baby; and RocknRoll Animal (of course).
My older bro then bought me VU Greatest hits for Xmas, 1993 and I soon realized anything Velvet Underground is a worthy purchase (Except Live at Cole Ave ... overall bad recordings).
I watched the Todd Haynes Doc last year; and this 1986 South Bank video is definitely another good watch. Gotta luv John Cale pointing out: "We were trying to be revolutionary." Well, I believe him.
VU my favorite rocknroll band. I tend to agree their influence is undeniable (rock, punk, alternative rock...). Love the 3rd album: Put jelly on your shoulder, baby ... Some Kinda' Love. The Previously Unreleased Recordings (released 1985) with the song Foggy Notion and the original version of Andy's Chest (Transformer) is the best 'album'' I have heard nobody ever talks about. Velvet's were so much more than free form noise (although Lou was inspired by Ornette Coleman ! ). Great variety. VU took pride in being a "live band."
What this docu LEAVES OUT is that Warhol did not like or even rate Lou Reed and his massive ego. He went for Nico as the icon for the band. Reed, consumed with jealousy, made sure this did not happen and slowly but surely he squeezed Nico from the limelight..and then eventually from the band.
pre stupid, affected tattoos. Super well done--thank u so much for finding this!!!!!!
All this and not even ten seconds of the velvets performing, where audio matches video. We either get studio audio with live video lerformances or we get live performance video with audio from a previously released live album. And that is kt. Warhol was an asshole.
As a fan of the 3rd & 4th Velvet Underground albums they could have at least mentioned Doug Yule. Loaded is just as much a Velvet Underground album as the self titled first album.
They even played songs from Loaded!
I had this on video but of course it got chewed up. Such a great show and so wonderful to see my darling Nico.
John Cale kinda looks like Jimmy Fallon when he's singing that song...
I think he was intoxicated too look at his eyes. He was still using all sorts of crap when this documentary was made.
@@sarahwelty9223
If he wasnt he deserved to be..
He came across as a bit of a prick to be honest. Think he thought he was to cool to take his hands from behind his massively expansive head
The cosy brown snow of the east
Great to see this again, thanks!
Anyone notice Ghislaine Maxwell in the first crowd shot?
Really? Maxwell was born in 1961, so she would have been 9 years old in VU's last year together. How did you recognize the young Maxwell?
@@AhBeeDoi She's 10 years older than reported.
Rich? Think about that. ☹️
@@AhBeeDoi peace love and pizza rolls
Yeah, fuck it, roll another one 😂
The Velvet Underground is the most influential American Rock band of all time
I think that they were more influential musically, than the Beatles
Thanks for letting the music do most of the talking:)
Nice.
37:14
〰️🍌
God Gerard Malanga was devastatingly attractive. Had he not been warhol's right-hand man he could have been a top model
No doubt he was a handsome man. I think people like him, Charlotte Rampling & Jenny Agutter, with their piercing eyes, are somehow naturally alluring.
I cried
I cry too, any time i have a lunchables brand salami
Seek help
FnA. Gimme Shelter
Puppy power 🐶?
Poppy Power
Describing them as "the most influential band of the 60's" is to invite ridicule for ONE OBVIOUS REASON.
Only about 10,000 people- probably less- worldwide heard them?