"The VELVET UNDERGROUND; An Illustrated History..." to be Published

     MUSIC NEWS  - Voyageur Press will publish the forthcoming book, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND: An Illustrated History of A Walk on the Wild Side  from rock journalist , Jim DeRogatis (Chicago Sun-Times, co-host of syndicated radio program Sound Opinions) on September 15, 2009 (order your copy below thru MNN).   The beautifully packaged book is the first complete illustrated history published on the seminal New York band, and out in time to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the group’s founding.  The hefty 192-page volume, in perfect balance of text and many never-before-seen photos retraces the history of the band which practically single-handedly created what is now known as punk and alternative music, thanks in large part to Lou Reed’s poetic-yet-streetwise lyrics, and music that alternated between white noise and gentle beauty.

The band, founded by Lou Reed and John Cale and managed by Andy Warhol, the Velvet Underground is often cited as the most influential band of the late ’60s. This eye-catching book is able to appeal to both the longtime fan and the newcomer, as it is the first to offer a behind-the-scenes look at this iconic band, from its earliest days through its later incarnation and is a rare inside view of how the Velvet Underground “opened wounds worth opening with brutal imagery, "without apology,” as Patti Smith said upon the band’s 1996 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Included are insightful excerpts from Andy Warhol’s memoirs and rare interviews with band members which shed new light on the V.U.'s history.  Also featured are photographs from Exploding Plastic Inevitable dancer Gerard Malanga, and rare images from Factory photographers Nat Finkelstein, Stephen Shore, and Billy Name, as well as additional color concert and candid photography, plus vintage posters, handbills, memorabilia, and much more.

Author DeRogatis reminds us, in the book’s intro, of the famous Brian Eno quote about the Velvets; “Only five thousand people ever bought a Velvet Underground album, but every single one of them started a band.”  But DeRogatis further points out that the Velvets’ influence transcends generations and stretches beyond just musicians: “Mull that over for a second and you’ll realize that it’s pure hyperbole: All of those people can’t possibly have formed bands, because many of them clearly became rock critics! Not to mention the fact that by now, we’ve endured many more than five thousand shameless Velvets clones and unapologetic V.U. namedroppers.”

Voyageur Press will also be issuing other music-related titles this fall in their ongoing “Illustrated History” book series: Jon Bream’s : Neil Diamond Is Forever : Illustrated Story of the Man and His Music will arrive on October 15th, and Phil Sutcliffe’s Queen: The Ultimate Illustrated History of the Crown Kings of Rock will rock you on November 15th. All are filled  with photos, artifacts, and comprehensive histories of each artist.