The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in the 1960s, known for its groundbreaking and influential style that blended rock, avant-garde, and experimental music. Closely associated with artist Andy Warhol, who managed and promoted them early on, the band explored themes like urban life, counterculture, and emotional rawness. Though not commercially successful at the time, their music later gained critical acclaim and inspired generations of alternative and punk musicians. Key members included Lou Reed, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, and Maureen Tucker.