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John Cale Say No to Velvet Underground Reunion Offers

Just days ahead of his performance of his 1973 album, 'Paris 1919,' at London's South Bank this Friday (Mar. 5), former Velvet Undergound bassist/viola player John Cale has ruled out any possibility of any reunion by the influential band. Despite receiving many lucrative offers, Cale is adamant that bad memories and the death of guitarist Sterling Morrison ensure that the Velvet Underground remain rooted firmly in the past.

"It's not something that I can see happening on the basis of the past," he explained to BBC 6 Music.

He continued, "Anyone who wants to reform the Velvet Underground for a series of concerts, to make some money, I understand that, but you can't do that. We don't have Sterling [Morrison] any more. If I said that was something I was intrigued by, people would think I was cynical."

Their last acrimonious break-up occurred during the seminal band's reunion tour in the early '90s but Cale confirmed that he and the remaining members of the original band -- singer-guitarist Lou Reed and drummer Maureen Tucker -- keep in touch on a professional level only.

"I haven't spoken to Lou in a long time, but we're in touch because of business," said Cale.

"There's no communal effort to enjoy each other's company any more."

Shrugging off the past, the 67-year-old Cale is showing no signs of slowing down and is already looking ahead to his next project, even if he's not sure how to present it.

"I have 28 songs at the moment, but I've got to finish them," he revealed. "I haven't figured out how to release them, that's a bit of a conundrum."

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JW

If what I've heard about Lou Reed is true, I really don't blame John Cale for not wanting anything more to do with him.

March 20 2010 at 7:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mpeel

I'm OK with that decision. I enjoy pulling out the vinyl and enjoying the blast from the past. Treasure the memories. Some bands like VU, I don't want them referred to as nostagia acts. They deserve to be remembered by the folks who enjoyed them.

March 01 2010 at 3:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RONNIE

SOMETIMES,WE MUST JUST TREASURE THE MEMORIES,FOR RESSURECTING THE PAST ,MAY SOMETIMES BE DISSAPPOINTNG,ALBEIT, I WOULDN'T MIND....

March 01 2010 at 1:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
j

They were ahead of their time . Not that big though . Its a good decision not to reunite . No one would know who they are

March 01 2010 at 12:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brink

AWWWW shucks.

March 01 2010 at 11:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply