The Velvet Underground stands as a cornerstone of New York’s avant-garde and one of the most influential rock bands in history. Formed in the mid-1960s by Lou Reed and John Cale, the group crafted raw, poetic and often provocative songs that explored art, marginality and counterculture. In an era of psychedelic optimism, their stripped-down and experimental style broke new ground for generations to come.

Their debut album The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967), produced by Andy Warhol, is now hailed as a masterpiece of modern rock, though it was largely overlooked upon release. Its iconic banana cover, designed by Warhol, became one of the most recognizable images in music history. Tracks like “Heroin”, “Sunday Morning” and “Venus in Furs” paved the way for punk, art rock and the entire indie movement.

On MusikMachine, fans of cult rock can find an official Velvet Underground banana sticker — an artistic nod to one of the most iconic albums in rock history, alongside visionary artists like David Bowie and The Rolling Stones.