The Velvet Underground & Nico

The Velvet Underground & Nico, released by Verve Records in March 1967, was the debut of the New York band and the German singer Nico. The core of the album was recorded over about four days in April 1966 at Scepter Studios in Manhattan, financed by Andy Warhol and Columbia sales executive Norman Dolph. Three songs were redone in May 1966 at TTG Studios in Hollywood, and "Sunday Morning" was added that November.^[1]

Columbia, Atlantic, and Elektra all passed on it before Verve accepted it. Warhol was the credited producer and designed the banana cover.^[1] Its subjects include drug abuse, prostitution, sadomasochism, and urban life.^[1]

It sold poorly at first, with some shops and radio stations refusing it, but it has since been recognized as a foundational art-rock record. It entered the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry in 2006 and the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.^[1]