The Velvet Underground are renowned as one of the most influential, experimental, genre-spanning bands in the history of rock and roll. They are well known for having eccentric artist Andy Warhol ast the band’s manager, who influenced the band’s sound further, and introduced them to German singer Nico, who provided vocals on many of their records. The band released five acclaimed albums, none of which were particularly commercially successful at the time of release, but all of which have been heralded as classics. Lou Reed was the band’s singer, guitarist and chief songwriter and has gone on to carve a career as a successful solo artist ever since the breakup of Velvet Underground in 1973 (although they did play several reform gigs after this).