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Admittedly, “All Tomorrow’s Parties” was the easy go-to for today’s AMM about the Sterling Morrison birthday celebration tonight at Hotel Vegas. Maybe the featured track should’ve been the closer of their debut LP The Velvet Underground & Nico, in all of its entire seven minute-plus glory. “European Son” was cowritten by Lou Reed, John Cale, drummer Moe Tucker and Morrison, an improvisational love/hate song dedicated to Reed’s former mentor, poet Delmore Schwartz. Still…it’s been said Morrison’s favorite Velvet Underground track – of all time – was actually “Venus in Furs.”
Though Morrison never released any solo work, it’s widely acknowledged that his contributions were essential to Velvet Underground’s distinctive sound. Then in 1970, Morrison took up studies at UT Austin and earned a PhD in medieval literature. His last Velvet Underground show was August 21, 1971 in Houston. Following that performance, he informed the band he wouldn’t be returning with them to New York – just before they boarded their returning flight.
Sterling Morrison’s Birthday: A Tribute To The Life and Music of The Velvet Underground honors the legend of the multi-talented musician with performances by a badass cast of local faves, including The Black Angel‘s Jake Garcia, Queen Serene‘s Sarah Ronan, Jason McNeely, Nolan Potter, DAIISTAR‘s Misti Hamrick-French and many more. Doors at 9:30 p.m.
Yes, Morrison’s birthday is actually tomorrow. They’re just getting a head start at Hotel Vegas. Dig.
