The Velvet Aboveground

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More About

• Richie Unterberger
• The Velvet Underground
• Lou Reed
• Arts, Entertainment, and Media
• Books and Literature

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Of the more obsessed-about rock bands, the Velvet Underground is probably in the top five. Mostly, it's Lou Reed people can't stop talking about, but according to Allmusic.com author Richie Unterberger, "Brian Eno once said that even though hardly anyone bought the Velvets records at the time they appeared, almost everyone who did formed their own bands." Unterberger is a San Francisco rock critic treasure and owns a priceless film archive he often generously shares at free library screenings. He's also got photos, posters, and friends dating back to the 1960s that would make any rock fan weak in the knees. He's characteristically democratic with those items as well, at the book release party for his new book, White Light/White Heat: The Velvet Underground Day-By-Day. Rare film clips, a slideshow, and cameo remarks by cats who were "there" make the event a Reed/Cale/Nico/Tucker/Morrison/Alexander/Yule feast.
Wed., June 17, 7 p.m., 2009