John Cale
John Cale, born in Garnant, Wales, in 1942, is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, classically trained and drawn early to the avant-garde: in New York he played in La Monte Young's Theatre of Eternal Music, whose sustained drones he carried into rock. In 1964 he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed, and his viola, bass and organ gave the band its dissonant, hypnotic edge until he left in 1968. His solo career has ranged from the chamber-pop beauty of Paris 1919 to abrasive art rock and orchestral work, and as a producer he shaped landmark debuts by the Stooges, Nico, Patti Smith and the Modern Lovers.
John Cale, born in Garnant, Wales, in 1942, is a composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer, classically trained and drawn early to the avant-garde: in New York he played in La Monte Young's Theatre of Eternal Music, whose sustained drones he carried into rock. In 1964 he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed, and his viola, bass and organ gave the band its dissonant, hypnotic edge until he left in 1968. His solo career has ranged from the chamber-pop beauty of Paris 1919 to abrasive art rock and orchestral work, and as a producer he shaped landmark debuts by the Stooges, Nico, Patti Smith and the Modern Lovers.
