The Velvet Underground

Chris Roberts has created a small but perfectly formed biography of The Velvet Underground, one of the most inscrutable bands ever. Contemporary photographs and ephemera set the scene, whilst archive and personal interviews with the band, many conducted by the author, offer an insight into the minds of the band members. There is no shortage of books about The Velvet Underground, but few are as enjoyable as Chris Roberts' one - it has the feel of a work by an insider. Knowledgable, drugged-up and funny as heck, this book is indispensable.

A sensational history of the Velvet Underground...Highly recommended, especially for fans of the Velvets, but also for anyone who is interested in the alternative culture of the sixties.

"Chris Roberts takes us on a journey through the history of the band. He does an excellent job of navigating the myth and "fake news" that surrounds the band. Lou Reed was especially good at creating spin before that even existed. It's hard to know whether he knew what was truth or fiction himself at some points. The intake of drugs added to the mix make a potent mystery. Add Andy Warhol to the story arc and there was legend in the making... He takes us through the discography of the band and the production details of each album and the impact that the music made. The volume contains some wonderful photos and illustrations which add to the reading experience. Definitely one to add to your music library."

"Chris Roberts' The Velvet Underground not only serves as the perfect companion to [Todd Haynes' recent] film but also adds far greater insights into the band's internal dynamics, their creative processes, and the impact that the Velvets' music had upon the cultural movements of the time, most notably that of mid-1960s New York... But where The Velvet Underground is at its strongest is by making you want to return to the band's records and play them over and over again, listening to this groundbreaking music with a far greater understanding and through much fresher ears as you do so."

"A thoroughly fun, scurrilous read about a band who deserve nothing less."

"... a compelling read, with the author's passion highly infectious."