The Bardavon Opera House has announced a 50th anniversary celebration of Loaded by legendary rock band The Velvet Underground. Streaming free on Youtube November 15th at 8 p.m., the set includes curated commentary by Bardavon’s Stephen LaMarca with Chris Silva, Michael Nickerson and others.
Formed in 1964 singer/guitarist Lou Reed, multi-instrumentalist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison, and drummer Angus MacLise, The Velvet Underground’s sound pushed the envelope by introducing rock to something sexier and with more grit. Although having a sound way beyond their time, a unlikely benefactor helped skyrocket the group to success.
At the end of 1965 pop art icon Andy Warhol saw the band at a club and quickly as sold.Warhol assumed management of the group and incorporated them into his mixed-media/performance art ensemble, the Exploding Plastic Inevitable. By spring 1966, Warhol was producing their debut album. Besides album sales never reflected such, The Velvet Undergound’s is still revered as one of the best rock bands of all time.
Featuring original performances from Loaded by The Velvet Underground, created especially for the Bardavon:
“Who Loves the Sun” – Tracy Bonham w/ Kevin Salem
“Sweet Jane” – Simi Stone
“Rock & Roll” – Steve Wynn from Dream Syndicate
“Cool it Down” – Lost Leaders
“New Age” – Leah Hennessey from Hennessey
“Head held High” – Deerhoof
“Lonesome Cowboy Bill” – John Doe from X
“I Found a Reason” – Matthew Logan Vasquez of Delta Spirit
“Train Round the Bend” – Satellite Mode
“Oh! Sweet Nuthin’” – Harmony Rockets w/ members of Mercury Rev, Psychedelic Furs and Hugo Largo
Session outtake: Ocean – Shana Falana
Bardavon’s streaming series became an important way for the opera house’s to stay connected to music fans during Covid-19. Archived albums currently available for viewing on their Youtube channel include; Bob Dylan’s ‘Highway 61’, Grateful Dead’s ‘American Beauty’, Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Randy Fleischer and HVP Virtual Concert Hall #1.
A portion of all donations from this streaming series will benefit People’s Place in Kingston & Dutchess Outreach in Poughkeepsie
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