Up-Tight

The Velvet Underground is arguably one of the most influential American rock bands ever. Based on interviews with former members Lou Reed, John Cale, and Sterling Morrison, as well as others from Andy Warhol's circle of artistic collaborators, Up-Tight is the definitive oral and visual history of the band and its revolutionary, often avant-garde music. Bockris and Malanga's intelligent and entertaining approach-which does not shy away from the drugs, sleaze, and controversy that enveloped the band seemingly from its inception-provides compulsive reading.

Victor Bockris, "the poet laureate of the Manhattan underground scene," is the author of Muhammad Ali, Keith Richards, and Beat Punks. Photographer and poet Gerard Malanga worked closely with andy Warhol at The Factory in the 1960s. He is the author of Andy Warhol: Little Chair Paintings. Both live in New York City.