Lou Reed

Lou Reed

Photo: Waring Abbott/ Getty Images

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Lou Reed Biography Excerpt Details Birth Of The Velvet Underground

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Go inside the formation of one of rock's most influential bands and 2017 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipients
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Oct 2, 2017 - 3:52 pm

A new biography by music journalist Anthony DeCurtis titled Lou Reed: A Life provides an extensive look inside the life and legacy of the inimitable Velvet Underground frontman. Ahead of its release, Rolling Stone has posted an excerpt outlining Reed's graduation from Syracuse University, his move to NYC and the formation of Velvet Underground.

In the excerpt, the GRAMMY-winning icon had just graduated with honors from Syracuse University and was eager to explore the culture and vices of New York's artistic and seedy underbelly. During the daytime, Reed worked as a songwriter, penning countless pop songs for fake artists. In the evenings he sold fake drugs in the night clubs.

When a fictitious group he'd penned a hit for, the Primitives, were invited to perform on a local television show, Reed's employer, Pickwick Records, had to assemble a band quickly. One of Reed's co-writers rounded up the avant-garde classical musician John Cale to join Reed for the performance, marking the genesis of Velvet Underground.

The duo would add Reed's college pal, Sterling Morrison on guitar and minimalist drummer Maureen Tucker, on their way to recording a demo and making their live debut at a high school dance, of all places.

If this excerpt is any indication, DeCurtis' look into Reed's life promises to be candid, detailed and full of excitement. Lou Reed: A Life is due out Oct. 10.

Velvet Underground will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Recording Academy's 2017 Special Merit Awards, airing Oct. 13 at 9 p.m. on PBS.

Read More: Sly Stone To Velvet Underground: 11 Facts About GRAMMY Legends

John Cale

John Cale

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Avant-Garde Multi-Instrumentalist John Cale On Lou Reed

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Cale looks back on how the Velvet Underground became seriously "annoying," for art's sake
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Oct 13, 2017 - 3:49 pm

Lou Reed's Velvet Underground materialized on New York City's art scene in 1965 and in short order shook the foundation of the so-called establishment. Managed by Andy Warhol, who also helmed the production on their 1967 classic album, The Velvet Underground & Nico (GRAMMY Hall Of Fame, 2008), the group's combination of intense subject matter and musical experimentation helped form the templates for punk rock and new wave music.

John Cale On Lou Reed, Velvet Underground

The avant-garde edge of the band's sound was spurred by John Cale, whose talents ranged from songwriter and multi-instrumentalist to arranger — all in the service of a minimal ensemble presenting itself as "art."

"When we started this venture, we were serious about what we were doing," says Cale. "No messing around. It took various attempts to really put everything back together again. I think the style finally became understood, annoying as it was. We were kind of smiling at how annoying it was."

Since 2010 Cale's last name continues with the initials "OBE," as he was honored with the Order of the British Empire for his cultural contributions. But his memories of Lou Reed are more off-color. Cale recalls Reed would always tell the group "not to forget to put the swear words in the songs … 'Don't forget! Put those swear words in the song!' I mean the swear words were not what we were really into at all."

For Cale's part, his unconventional creativity came from a kind of freedom from self-consciousness, which recognition could sometimes interfere with.

"We were always more interested in the originality in each individual than really copying anybody else," he says. "Every time somebody came up and said, 'Hey, it's great, man — you're infamous' … I'd just feel very awkward."

The John Cale Band with Maureen "Moe" Tucker performed "I'm Waiting For The Man" and "Sunday Morning" on the "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" special on PBS — the first 2 tracks from The Velvet Underground & Nico.

Guitars and recording equipment

Photo: Total Guitar Magazine/Getty Images

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BMI Trademarks Speed Dating For Songwriters Initiative

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The rights management organization partners with YouTube for next step of initiative, showcasing Nashville, Tenn.'s rising stars
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Oct 18, 2017 - 12:02 pm

What's in a name? A lot, especially when it's when you hear something like "Speed Dating For Songwriters." Rights management company BMI is taking its longstanding initiative in a fresh direction, including a trademark filing and a new partnership with YouTube.

John Legend On His Growth As A Songwriter

Speed Dating For Songwriters launched in New York City in 2013 as a means to encourage collaboration and networking between BMI songwriters, producers and artists. The initiative has since expanded to Los Angeles and Nashville, even yielding a few commercial success stories.

So what happens at a Speed Dating For Songwriters event? According to BMI, 12-15 participants gather and share their music with each other, form new collaborations, and provide instant feedback, all in a short amount of time. Afterward, smaller groups are formed to co-write together, and the writers come back several weeks later to perform their new material.

With YouTube's new integration, Speed Dating For Songwriters will now incorporate video tutorials and high-quality filming of performances.

"I am extremely proud of what Speed Dating for Songwriters has done for our affiliates," said BMI's Samantha Cox. "With this initiative, we have established a strong sense of community among our writers, fostering a thriving and supportive network of creatives. BMI is cultivating the next great generation of music creators and by providing our writers with this unique resource, Speed Dating is a testament to that commitment."

Read More: Grand Ole Opry Schedules $12 Million In Renovations

Andra Day Salute To Music Legends

Andra Day

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2017 "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends": Who Performed?

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From Andra Day and Sly Stone to Charley Pride and Shirley Caesar, here's your exclusive viewer's guide to the televised Recording Academy presentation on Friday, Oct. 13 on PBS
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Oct 13, 2017 - 11:00 pm

The second annual "GRAMMY Salute To Music Legends" aired Friday, Oct. 13 on PBS. 

Kirk Franklin Praises Shirley Caesar

The exciting two-hour program centered around the presentation of this year's Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Awards to honorees Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone, and the Velvet Underground, as well as the presentation of the Technical GRAMMY Award to audio inventor Alan Dower Blumlein, and Recording Academy Trustee Awards to producer/arranger/songwriter Thom Bell; record executive Mo Ostin; and recording executive, A&R man and music publisher Ralph S. Peer.

Along with never-before-seen video packages celebrating each of the honorees' contributions to the music industry and its cultural heritage, the star-studded event featured performances by GRAMMY winners Kirk Franklin, Randy Newman, Le'Andria Johnson, Dionne Warwick, Dwight Yoakam, and Living Colour founder/guitarist Vernon Reid; GRAMMY nominees Andra Day, Neal McCoy, Charlie Wilson, Valerie Simpson, Russell Thompkins Jr. of the Stylistics, and Catherine Russell.

Here's a recap of the full lineup of performances:
(Note: performers are listed in parentheses)

Thom Bell
•    "You Make Me Feel Brand New" (Russell Thompkins Jr.)
•    "Then Came You" (Dionne Warwick)

Ahmad Jamal
•    "But Not For Me"/"Ahmad's Blues"/"Poinciana" (Stanley Cowell)
    
 Nina Simone
•    "Mississippi Goddam" (Andra Day)

Jimmie Rodgers
•    "Hobo Bill's Last Ride"/"Mule Skinner Blues"/"T For Texas" (Dwight Yoakam)

Dwight Yoakam Salute To Music Legends

Ralph S. Peer
•    "Crazy Blues" (Catherine Russell)
•    "The Great Pretender" (Russell Thompkins Jr.)
•    "Georgia On My Mind" (Andra Day)

The Velvet Underground
•    "I'm Waiting For The Man"/"Sunday Morning" (John Cale Band with Maureen "Moe" Tucker)

Shirley Caesar
•    Medley: "You Name It"/ "It’s Alright, It's OK"/"You’re Next In Line For A Miracle"/ "Satan, We're Going To Tear Your Kingdom Down" (Kirk Franklin with Le'Andria Johnson)
•    "Caught Up"/"Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name" (Shirley Caesar)

Mo Ostin
•    "A Few Words In Defense Of Our Country"/"I Think It's Going To Rain Today" (Randy Newman)

Charley Pride
•    "Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone" (Neal McCoy)
•    "Kiss An Angel Good Morning" (Charley Pride)

Charley Pride Salute To Music Legends

 

Charlie Wilson, Valerie Simpson Honor Sly Stone

Sly Stone
•    "I Want To Take You Higher"/"Everybody Is A Star"/"Sex Machine"/ "Dance To The Music" (Charlie Wilson, Valerie Simpson, Vernon Reid)

Also honored at the event was Keith Hancock, this year's recipient of the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum's Music Educator Award.
 

Post Malone on stage

Post Malone

Photo: Mark Horton/WireImage.com

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Post Malone, Lil Yachty, Migos & Young Thug To Do Red Rocks NYE Show

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Some of hip-hop's biggest names will play the famous Denver-area amphitheater for its first-ever New Year's Eve concert
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Oct 11, 2017 - 2:55 pm

Red Rocks Amphitheatre outside of Denver, Colo., is a bucket-list destination for many music fans. For the first time ever, the venue will host a New Year's Eve concert this year with Post Malone, Migos, Lil Yachty, and Young Thug leading the lineup.

Behind the song: Post Malone's "Congratulations"

This special event brings together some of hip-hop's heaviest hitters for the momentous occasion. Additional performers include Dizzy Wright and King Green of RDGLDGRN.

Tickets for the show will go up for presale on Oct. 12, with regular sales starting Oct. 13.

Read More: Cardi B, Kendrick, DJ Khaled Win Big At BET Hip-Hop Awards