The Velvet Underground redefined rock with their groundbreaking mix of art-rock, avant-garde noise, and poetic songwriting led by Lou Reed. Known for classic albums like The Velvet Underground & Nico and White Light/White Heat, the band’s influence continues to shape indie and alternative music today.
Despite poor initial sales, The Velvet Underground's first album is often credited with inspiring countless alternative and punk bands—Brian Eno famously said that while few people bought the record, everyone who did started a band.