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

George Michael

George Michael

Photo: Terry O'Neill/Getty Images

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Remember When? George Michael's "Faith" Changed Everything

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On this day in 1987, Michael released his biggest hit of all time
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Oct 6, 2017 - 2:23 pm

On this day in 1987, 30 years ago, George Michael released a new single that would change everything. "Faith," an extremely danceable exploration of sexuality and devotion, was the title track of Michael's debut album as a solo artist that went on to win the GRAMMY for Album Of The Year at the 31st GRAMMY Awards. The song also spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael not only changed the music world with his unforgettable hits, but he also became known for leading the charge for equality and his quiet but impactful charitable generosity. Plainly put, there will never be another George Michael.

To the delight of his fans worldwide, a highly anticipated new documentary on Michael is on its way from Showtime on Oct. 21. George Michael: Freedom contains narration from Michael himself, as well as archival and private home footage and commentary from GRAMMY winners such as Elton John, Mark Ronson, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, and Tony Bennett.

So as a long, hard week comes to an end today and you head into your weekend, crank up some George Michael and always remember, "you gotta have 'Faith.'"

Remember When? Selena Wins Big At The 36th GRAMMYs

Austin City Limits Festival

Austin City Limits Festival

Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images

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ACL, Ultra Address Music Festival Security In Wake Of Las Vegas Shooting

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ACL's organizers work year-round to ensure safety is always top priority, and Miami Police reassess safety concerns for Ultra 2018
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Oct 4, 2017 - 12:34 pm

Music festivals are the ultimate celebration of both artists and audiences. But for festival organizers, safety is always the number one concern. However, the recent mass shooting in Las Vegas at the Route 91 Harvest Festival has certainly raised new safety concerns and considerations.

Upcoming festivals, including Austin City Limits Festival and Miami's 2018 Ultra Music Festival, are addressing these concerns to assure festival goers that every necessary safety precaution is being taken.

With ACL slated for to take place at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, over the next two weekends, the festival's producers, C3, have issued a statement to reassure fans and artists alike that safety comes first.

"Safety has always been our top priority," C3 said in a statement. "Over the years, tighter security measures have been implemented at ACL Fest, including a layered security plan that includes elements that are seen and unseen, as well as pat downs, bag searches and size limits, and an enhanced security and law enforcement presence inside and outside the festival."

Miami's Ultra Music Festival is known for being one of North America's biggest and best dance music festivals. Part of the appeal of the festival is the downtown location of Bayfront Park, with its massive stages and impressive light shows set with the backdrop of the Miami skyline.

Ultra's organizers work hand-in-hand with local police to monitor the festival. CBS Miami spoke with acting Miami Police Chief Jorge Colina about the increased safety concerns arising from the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting.

"Like Las Vegas, we have a lot of outside venues with the weather and people want to be outside," Colina said. "We train and go over scenarios, active shooter scenarios where the policemen are reminded to get wherever the shooter is."

And with Ultra returning to Bayfront Park in March 2018, additional conversations and arrangements are still in the works. Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez also urges citizens to report any suspicious activity.

"We live at a time where you have to be on guard at all times," Perez said. "If you see something, say something, and with this slogan we are asking people to come forward and we depend on people to call the cops and Homeland Security."

With music festivals playing such a prominent role in the music industry, future festivals provide an opportunity for artists and fans to come together as a community and stand in support of the victims of the tragedy in Las Vegas.

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