Sterling Morrison
Encyclopedia
Holmes Sterling Morrison, Jr. (August 28, 1942 – August 30, 1995) was one of the founding members of the rock group The Velvet Underground
, usually playing electric guitar
, occasionally bass guitar
, and singing backing vocals
.
at Syracuse University
; it was there that he met Lou Reed
, a fellow English student
. Although the two jammed together, they drifted apart after Morrison quit his studies and Reed graduated in 1964. They met again in New York City
in 1965. By this time, Reed had met John Cale
and was interested in starting a band, so when they encountered Morrison, he was invited to join.
Morrison primarily played guitar
on the band's first two albums, although when Cale — the band's nominal bassist — played viola or keyboards, Morrison often filled in on bass. Other songs, however, (including "Heroin
" and "Sister Ray
") featured Reed and Morrison on guitars while Cale played viola or organ. Although Morrison was an accomplished bassist (witness his playing on "Sunday Morning" or "Lady Godiva's Operation"), he disliked playing the instrument.
After Cale left the group in 1968, Morrison always played guitar. There was no established "lead
" or "rhythm
" guitar hierarchy in the Velvet Underground; both Reed and Morrison traded roles regularly during the band's Cale-era. From the third album
on though, Morrison almost always took the role of lead guitarist as Reed concentrated more on his singing and Rhythm. Additionally, Morrison did backing vocals and the occasional lead vocal spot (he rapidly recited many verses of Reed's poetry in "The Murder Mystery", and sang one line in "I'm Sticking With You").
In 1970, when the band was back in New York City to play an entire summer's engagement at Max's Kansas City
, Morrison seized the opportunity to complete his studies and graduate (from City College
). In 1971 he attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Ph.D. in medieval studies. He played his last gig
with them on August 21 at Liberty Hall, 1610 Chenevert, in Houston. When it was time for the band to return to New York, Morrison packed an empty suitcase and accompanied them to the gate of their departing plane, before finally telling them he was staying in Texas and leaving the band.
Sometime in the 1980s, Morrison left his academic career to become the captain
of a Houston tugboat
; he pursued this well into the 1980s. After leaving the Velvet Underground, Morrison's musical career was primarily limited to informal sessions for personal enjoyment, though he played in a few bands around Austin, Texas, most notably The Bizarros. Morrison's tenure in the capital of Texas made him a well-loved and admired member of the local music community as well as an influential voice. During John Cale's renaissance in the late 1970s, Sterling could be seen playing with his former bandmate on stages such as the Armadillo World Headquarters
in Austin. From the mid-eighties on, however, he occasionally recorded or performed with Reed, Cale, and Velvet Underground drummer
Maureen Tucker
, who had by then started a solo career of her own. Morrison was part of her touring band for most of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In 1992, the core Velvet Underground line-up of Reed, Cale, Morrison and Tucker decided to reform for a tour and possible album. Morrison argued that Doug Yule
, who had replaced Cale in 1968, should be included to fill out the sound, but Reed and Cale vetoed him. The band extensively toured Europe
in 1993, alternatively as headline act or supporting U2
. Morrison's playing held up well, and his performances were generally agreed to be top-notch. But by the end of the tour, relationships had soured again and plans for a US tour and MTV Unplugged
album were scrapped.
The European tour turned out to be the last for the Velvet Underground. Sterling joined Maureen Tucker's band for a tour in 1994, and later that year was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, from which he died on August 30, 1995, two days after his 53rd birthday
. Upon their induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
in 1996, Reed, Cale and Tucker performed a song entitled "Last Night I Said Goodbye to My Friend," which was dedicated to Morrison.
In March 2001, Sterling Morrison was remembered through a tribute set at the Austin Music Awards during the South by Southwest
Festival. John Cale performed "Some Friends," a song he'd composed in Morrison's memory, with Alejandro Escovedo
, who played "Tugboat," also written for Morrison. An SXSW panel on Sterling successfully convened that year, with Cale and others remembering their fallen friend. Morrison was also the subject of an oral history, Velvet Underdog, in the Austin Chronicle
that year. The story featured quotes by John Cale, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, and other Morrison associates.
The Galaxie 500
song "Tugboat" is believed to be a reference to Morrison.
His surviving family includes his widow, Martha, and his son, Thomas, who reside in Poughkeepsie, New York, and a daughter, Mary Anne.
, please see the Velvet Underground
article.
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
, usually playing electric guitar
Electric guitar
An electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker...
, occasionally bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, and singing backing vocals
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
.
Biography
Morrison majored in EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
; it was there that he met Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
, a fellow English student
Student
A student is a learner, or someone who attends an educational institution. In some nations, the English term is reserved for those who attend university, while a schoolchild under the age of eighteen is called a pupil in English...
. Although the two jammed together, they drifted apart after Morrison quit his studies and Reed graduated in 1964. They met again in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1965. By this time, Reed had met John Cale
John Cale
John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
and was interested in starting a band, so when they encountered Morrison, he was invited to join.
Morrison primarily played guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
on the band's first two albums, although when Cale — the band's nominal bassist — played viola or keyboards, Morrison often filled in on bass. Other songs, however, (including "Heroin
Heroin (song)
"Heroin" is a song by The Velvet Underground, released on their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico. Written by Lou Reed in 1964, the song is one of the band's most celebrated compositions, overtly depicting heroin use and abuse...
" and "Sister Ray
Sister Ray
Sister Ray may mean one of the following:* "Sister Ray", 1968 song by The Velvet Underground* A fictional enormous laser cannon in the video game Final Fantasy VII* Sister Ray , a punk rock band from Youngstown, Ohio...
") featured Reed and Morrison on guitars while Cale played viola or organ. Although Morrison was an accomplished bassist (witness his playing on "Sunday Morning" or "Lady Godiva's Operation"), he disliked playing the instrument.
After Cale left the group in 1968, Morrison always played guitar. There was no established "lead
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
" or "rhythm
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
" guitar hierarchy in the Velvet Underground; both Reed and Morrison traded roles regularly during the band's Cale-era. From the third album
The Velvet Underground (album)
The Velvet Underground is the third album by American rock group The Velvet Underground. It was their first record to feature Doug Yule, John Cale's replacement. It was recorded in 1968 at TTG Studios in Hollywood, California. This album's softer sound marks a radical shift in approach in style...
on though, Morrison almost always took the role of lead guitarist as Reed concentrated more on his singing and Rhythm. Additionally, Morrison did backing vocals and the occasional lead vocal spot (he rapidly recited many verses of Reed's poetry in "The Murder Mystery", and sang one line in "I'm Sticking With You").
In 1970, when the band was back in New York City to play an entire summer's engagement at Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City
Max's Kansas City was a nightclub and restaurant at 213 Park Avenue South, in New York City, which was a gathering spot for musicians, poets, artists and politicians in the 1960s and 1970s.-Origin of name:...
, Morrison seized the opportunity to complete his studies and graduate (from City College
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
). In 1971 he attended The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Ph.D. in medieval studies. He played his last gig
Gig (musical performance)
Gig is slang for a musical engagement in which musicians are hired. Originally coined in the 1920s by jazz musicians, the term, short for the word "engagement", now refers to any aspect of performing such as assisting with performance and attending musical performance...
with them on August 21 at Liberty Hall, 1610 Chenevert, in Houston. When it was time for the band to return to New York, Morrison packed an empty suitcase and accompanied them to the gate of their departing plane, before finally telling them he was staying in Texas and leaving the band.
Sometime in the 1980s, Morrison left his academic career to become the captain
Captain (nautical)
A sea captain is a licensed mariner in ultimate command of the vessel. The captain is responsible for its safe and efficient operation, including cargo operations, navigation, crew management and ensuring that the vessel complies with local and international laws, as well as company and flag...
of a Houston tugboat
Tugboat
A tugboat is a boat that maneuvers vessels by pushing or towing them. Tugs move vessels that either should not move themselves, such as ships in a crowded harbor or a narrow canal,or those that cannot move by themselves, such as barges, disabled ships, or oil platforms. Tugboats are powerful for...
; he pursued this well into the 1980s. After leaving the Velvet Underground, Morrison's musical career was primarily limited to informal sessions for personal enjoyment, though he played in a few bands around Austin, Texas, most notably The Bizarros. Morrison's tenure in the capital of Texas made him a well-loved and admired member of the local music community as well as an influential voice. During John Cale's renaissance in the late 1970s, Sterling could be seen playing with his former bandmate on stages such as the Armadillo World Headquarters
Armadillo World Headquarters
The Armadillo World Headquarters was the premier music hall and entertainment center in Austin, Texas, United States from 1970 to 1980.-History:...
in Austin. From the mid-eighties on, however, he occasionally recorded or performed with Reed, Cale, and Velvet Underground drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Maureen Tucker
Maureen Tucker
Maureen Ann "Moe" Tucker is a musician best known for having been the drummer for the rock group The Velvet Underground.- The Velvet Underground :...
, who had by then started a solo career of her own. Morrison was part of her touring band for most of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
In 1992, the core Velvet Underground line-up of Reed, Cale, Morrison and Tucker decided to reform for a tour and possible album. Morrison argued that Doug Yule
Doug Yule
Douglas Alan Yule is an American musician and singer, most notable for being a member of The Velvet Underground from 1968 to 1973.- Early career :Yule began playing with various bands in Boston in the 1960s...
, who had replaced Cale in 1968, should be included to fill out the sound, but Reed and Cale vetoed him. The band extensively toured Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
in 1993, alternatively as headline act or supporting U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
. Morrison's playing held up well, and his performances were generally agreed to be top-notch. But by the end of the tour, relationships had soured again and plans for a US tour and MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged
MTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
album were scrapped.
The European tour turned out to be the last for the Velvet Underground. Sterling joined Maureen Tucker's band for a tour in 1994, and later that year was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, from which he died on August 30, 1995, two days after his 53rd birthday
Birthday
A birthday is a day or anniversary where a person celebrates his or her date of birth. Birthdays are celebrated in numerous cultures, often with a gift, party or rite of passage. Although the major religions celebrate the birth of their founders , Christmas – which is celebrated widely by...
. Upon their induction in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
in 1996, Reed, Cale and Tucker performed a song entitled "Last Night I Said Goodbye to My Friend," which was dedicated to Morrison.
In March 2001, Sterling Morrison was remembered through a tribute set at the Austin Music Awards during the South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
Festival. John Cale performed "Some Friends," a song he'd composed in Morrison's memory, with Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
, who played "Tugboat," also written for Morrison. An SXSW panel on Sterling successfully convened that year, with Cale and others remembering their fallen friend. Morrison was also the subject of an oral history, Velvet Underdog, in the Austin Chronicle
Austin Chronicle
The Austin Chronicle is an alternative weekly, tabloid-style newspaper published every Thursday in Austin, Texas, United States. The paper is distributed through free news-stands, often at local eateries or coffee houses frequented by its targeted demographic...
that year. The story featured quotes by John Cale, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker, and other Morrison associates.
The Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500
Galaxie 500 was an American alternative rock band that formed in 1987 and split up in 1991 after releasing three albums.-History:Guitarist Dean Wareham, drummer Damon Krukowski and bassist Naomi Yang had met at the Dalton School in New York City in 1981, but began playing together during their time...
song "Tugboat" is believed to be a reference to Morrison.
His surviving family includes his widow, Martha, and his son, Thomas, who reside in Poughkeepsie, New York, and a daughter, Mary Anne.
Discography with the Velvet Underground
Only the titles featuring Morrison are listed. For the band's full discographyDiscography
Discography is the study and listing of the details concerning sound recordings, often by specified artists or within identified musical genres...
, please see the Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
article.
Singles
- "All Tomorrow's Parties" / "I'll Be Your Mirror" (1966)
- "Sunday Morning" / "Femme Fatale" (1966)
- "White Light/White Heat" / "Here She Comes Now" (1968)
- "What Goes On" / "Jesus" (promo, 1969)
- "Who Loves the Sun" / "Oh! Sweet Nuthin'" (1971)
- "Foggy Notion" / "I Can't Stand It" (promo, 1985)
- "Venus in Furs" / "I'm Waiting for the Man" (live, 1994)
Original albums
- The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967)
- White Light/White HeatWhite Light/White HeatThe album briefly appeared on the Billboard 200, although only peaking at number 199. Despite its poor sales, the distorted, feedback-driven, and roughly recorded sound on White Light/White Heat became a notable influence on punk and experimental rock...
(1968) - The Velvet UndergroundThe Velvet Underground (album)The Velvet Underground is the third album by American rock group The Velvet Underground. It was their first record to feature Doug Yule, John Cale's replacement. It was recorded in 1968 at TTG Studios in Hollywood, California. This album's softer sound marks a radical shift in approach in style...
(1969) - Loaded (1970)
- Live at Max's Kansas CityLive at Max's Kansas CityLive at Max's Kansas City is a live album by The Velvet Underground. It was originally released on May 30, 1972, by Cotillion, a subsidiary label of Atlantic Records.-About the album:...
(1972) - Live MCMXCIIILive MCMXCIIILive MCMXCIII is a live album by The Velvet Underground. It was released simultaneously in single and double CD/Cassette formats on October 26, 1993 by Sire Records. The single CD is an abridged version of the double CD edition: there are no different takes of songs across the two editions...
(1993)
Later releases of archive material
- 1969: The Velvet Underground Live1969: The Velvet Underground Live1969: The Velvet Underground Live is a live album by The Velvet Underground. It was originally released as a double album in September 1974 by Mercury Records. The September 1988 CD re-release was issued as two separate single CD volumes, with one extra track per disc...
(1974) - VUVU (album)VU is an outtakes compilation album by The Velvet Underground. It was released in February 1985 by Verve Records.-Composition and collection:...
(1985) - Another ViewAnother ViewAnother View is an outtakes compilation album by The Velvet Underground. It was released in 1986 by Verve Records and is comprised of material recorded between 1967 and 1969.-Composition and collection:...
(1986) - ChroniclesChronicles (Velvet Underground album)Chronicles is a compilation album by The Velvet Underground. It was initially released for the Australian market by Mercury Records in 1991 as part of their "Startrax" series of budget compilations. The album was also made available in Europe....
(1991) - Peel Slowly and SeePeel Slowly and SeePeel Slowly and See is a five-disc box set of material by The Velvet Underground. It was released in September 1995 by Polydor.-Compilation:...
(box set, 1995) - Bootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine TapesBootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine TapesBootleg Series Volume 1: The Quine Tapes is a triple live album by The Velvet Underground. It was released on October 16, 2001 by Polydor, the record label overseeing The Velvet Underground's Universal Music Group back catalogue....
(live, 2001) - The Very Best of the Velvet UndergroundThe Very Best of the Velvet UndergroundThe Very Best of The Velvet Underground is a compilation album by The Velvet Underground. It was released in Europe on March 31, 2003, by Polydor, the record label that oversees the band's Universal Music Group back catalogue....
(2003)
Additional recording history
- NicoNicoNico was a German singer, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress, who initially rose to fame as a Warhol Superstar in the 1960s...
- Chelsea GirlChelsea Girl (album)Chelsea Girl is the debut solo album by Nico. It was released in October 1967 by Verve Records, also home to The Velvet Underground. The name of the album is a reference to Andy Warhol's 1966 film Chelsea Girls, which Nico starred in...
(1967)- Plays guitar on "Chelsea GirlsChelsea Girls (song)"Chelsea Girls" is the title track to Nico's 1967 debut album, Chelsea Girl. The song was written by Lou Reed and Sterling Morrison of The Velvet Underground, who Nico had collaborated with for their debut album the previous year....
" (which includes a rare Morrison writing credit) and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"
- Plays guitar on "Chelsea Girls
- LunaLuna (band)Luna was a dream pop/indie pop band formed in 1991 by Dean Wareham after the breakup of Galaxie 500, with Stanley Demeski and Justin Harwood...
- BewitchedBewitched (album)-Track listing:All tracks are by Luna with lyrics by Dean Wareham# "California " – 4:15# "Tiger Lily" – 4:46# "Friendly Advice" – 6:33# "Bewitched" – 4:45# "This Time Around" – 3:29# "Great Jones Street" – 3:36# "Going Home" – 5:26...
(1994)- Plays guitar on "Friendly Advice" and "Great Jones Street"
- Moe Tucker - Dogs Under StressDogs Under StressDogs Under Stress is the fourth studio album by Maureen Tucker. It was released in 1994.- Track listing :All tracks written by Maureen Tucker except where noted.#"Crackin' Up" – 4:52#"Me, Myself and I" – 2:37#"I've Seen into Your Soul" – 5:40...
(1994)- Plays guitar on "Me, Myself and I" "I Don't Understand" "Little Girl" and "I Wanna"; plays electric sitarElectric sitarAn electric sitar is a kind of electric guitar designed to mimic the sound of the traditional Indian instrument, the sitar. Depending on the manufacturer and model, these instruments bear varying degrees of resemblance to the traditional sitar...
on "Danny Boy"
- Plays guitar on "Me, Myself and I" "I Don't Understand" "Little Girl" and "I Wanna"; plays electric sitar
- Inside the Dream Syndicate Vol.III: Stainless Steel Gamelan (Table of the Elements 2002)
- Personnel: Terry JenningsTerry JenningsTerry Jennings was an American minimalist composer and performer.Terry Jennings was born in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles, California, in 1940. Coming from a background in jazz, he played piano, clarinet, and saxophones...
, Angus MacLiseAngus MacLiseAngus MacLise was an American percussionist, composer, poet, occultist and calligrapher probably best known as the first drummer for the Velvet Underground.-Biography:...
, John CaleJohn CaleJohn Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
, Sterling Morrison
- Personnel: Terry Jennings