The Velvet Forum

SISTER RAY ...Notice Cale on the Vox Continental and Lou facing the amp!

One of the things that intrigues me about this movie is how Warhol came to be involved with it after he was fired as the group's manager. My understanding of that episode is that the firing was not at all an amicable split, and that Andy was left pretty wounded by it. And yet, a scant few months later he appears to have made a special trip to Boston to film them in action.

Assuming the point of the movie was not as evidence-gathering toward a wrongful termination suit against the VU, did the band and he simply reconcile and restore a friendly relationship relatively quickly after the firing -- a period of wound-licking, as it were -- or is there to more to this story than that?

And likewise, how long after this concert shoot before Warhol and the VU, or its individual members in their respective solo careers, would work again in any sort of professional capacity?

Curiously,
--Phil M.

In addition Warhol/Name designed the Black-on-Black cover for Wl/Wh late 1967 (Andy´s name removed from the Credits for the second issue however!) and the band with Yule visited the factory at least once to take the coach shots and the one at the escaletor for the third album (late 68/early 69).

alfredovu wrote:In addition Warhol/Name designed the Black-on-Black cover for Wl/Wh late 1967 (Andy´s name removed from the Credits for the second issue however!) and the band with Yule visited the factory at least once to take the coach shots and the one at the escaletor for the third album (late 68/early 69).

How interesting. I don't recall ever seeing a Warhol credit on WL/WH, and had always accepted the design as the work strictly of Billy Name. This means either I never had that first edition, or I have it but never noticed his name there. As for the couch photo, I had always assumed it was shot prior to the firing, but having Doug in the shot doesn't hold up chronologically, so I guess I never thought it through fully enough.

I'm not sure, however, what escalator shot you mean. Perhaps you can clarify that, as I remain curious about all this. The net answer to my initial question, however, appears to be that the hatchet between Warhol and the VU was buried not long after the firing.

Speaking of the graphics for the WL/WH album reminds me of an article I spotted recently, from the 4-27-74 Billboard, announcing the release of MGM's reissue version, as part of its Archetypes series. That's the one with the cover photo depicting a couple of cops in front of a Woolworth's, apparently meant to illustrate the original lyric from "Sister Ray" about "Who is that knocking / ... Could it be the police? / They come to bring me some dessert", referring to Woolworth's diner counters. When Paul Morrissey first heard this lyric he attmpted to shake down the Woolworth's chain for advertising money, but when they refused he ordered Lou to change it, resulting in the lyric as we now know it.



--Phil M.

I WANNA SEE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I asume this pic was taken at the Factory:


As for the Wl/Wh credits, yes the First issue reads: "Cover Concept: Andy Warhol". Then for the second issue he was removed and from top of my head the credits on the personnel got some amendements as well (lead gtrs issues?)

Alfredo

Alfredo, i'm not sure that photo was taken at the Factory. Having worked at many many music venues it has a 'backstage' feel to it, a high industrial spiral staircase up to a sound/lighting desk? It could also be a rehearsal space / recording studio - there are guitar cases and equipment to be seen by the stud wall (studio baffle?) in the Getty version, not sure whether the VU would have taken their instruments to the Factory at that later date. I could be completely wrong though!

bleach wrote:Alfredo, i'm not sure that photo was taken at the Factory. Having worked at many many music venues it has a 'backstage' feel to it, a high industrial spiral staircase up to a sound/lighting desk? It could also be a rehearsal space / recording studio - there are guitar cases and equipment to be seen by the stud wall (studio baffle?) in the Getty version, not sure whether the VU would have taken their instruments to the Factory at that later date. I could be completely wrong though!

Hi "G",

You are most probbably right.

Alfredo

The 'spiral staircase' photo was shot by Lynn Goldsmith. As for the place, I think it might be The Second Fret in Philadelphia PA. Check out the photo published in 5th issue of What Goes On fanzine (p. 16). See the spiral staircase backstage?

Olivier