Pittsburgh”™s Andy Warhol Museum will be hosting “The Velvet Underground & Nico: Scepter Studio Sessions,” an exhibition on the creation of one of the most influential rock albums in music history.
The Velvet Underground ”“ consisting of John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed and Maureen Tucker ”“ began recording their debut album in April 1966 at Scepter Studios in New York City, joined by German singer Nico. The exhibition will present the recently rediscovered nine initial tracks recorded by the band on monophonic reel-to-reel quarter-inch tapes that feature alternate versions and mixes of songs later issued on the 1967 album release. Andy Warhol produced the album and designed its cover featuring a peel-away banana.
The music from the tapes will play continuously in the gallery and will be accompanied by a large selection of photographs by Steve Schapiro from 1966-67 of the Velvets, Warhol and associates, as well as Exploding Plastic Inevitable performances. Also on view will be rare, unseen footage of the band performing live, more than 30 of Warhol”™s “Screen Tests” featuring the band filmed during the peak of their collaboration in 1966, and 100 copies of the “banana album.”
The exhibition will be held from May 12 through Sept. 25, and more information is available on the museum”™s website.
