“Out of the Blue” was a series of broadcasts produced in the mid-1970’s on the sound and development of progressive rock. In the first part of the series, host Nevil Gray presents tracks recorded by The Velvet Underground. Although the members of the band had gone separate ways by 1973, they are still considered to be among the 100 greatest rock musicians ever. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine described their debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico, as the “most prophetic rock album ever made” .
The Velvet Underground’s lead vocalist and guitarist was American songwriter and poet Lou Reed (1942-2013). After leaving The Velvet Underground, he went on to produce 20 albums, including the 1972 release of “Transformer”, which was a milestone in the development of glam rock, and he recorded his most famous single “Walk on the Wild Side”.
One of the originators of the Tulsa Sound emanating from his native Oklahoma, JJ Cale (1938-2013) is considered to be one of the great electric guitarists of all times. A musician’s musician, Cale was praised by and influenced the likes of Eric Clapton and Neil Young. Clapton covered Cale’s famous single “After Midnight”.
Presenter: Nevil Gray
Producer: Donald Nijsen
Broadcast: 1976 and 1977