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Velvet Underground: From Sader-Masoch to a Top Rank Ballroom

Martin Hayman, Sounds, 16 October 1971

EVERYBODY KNOWS who the Velvet Underground are, but who are they? Disclosed to the world in 1965 as though they had descended from the sky in a flaming custard pie, they were launched with a Maze of Warhol-inspired publicity as a total environment, a multi-media show to cater for freaks of every conceivable taste or inclination. And it's a reputation which has determinedly adhered to the band ever since then, years after they parted company with Warhol's outfit.

Total word count of piece: 803

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