All Tomorrow's Parties: The Velvet Underground Story - by Koren Shadmi (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An examination of some of rock'n'roll's most iconic figures--The Velvet Underground & Andy Warhol--and the loaded push-pull relationship that distorted their lives and echoed throughout popular culture."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

An examination of some of rock'n'roll's most iconic figures--The Velvet Underground & Andy Warhol--and the loaded push-pull relationship that distorted their lives and echoed throughout popular culture.

Many cultural critics would agree that Andy Warhol gave the Velvet Underground their break simply by bringing them under his wing. While they reached a certain level of notoriety and local celebrity in their time and have since acquired a lasting cult following, their success was in large part fostered by Warhol's patronage. But at the time, this relationship was muddied by a certain level of codependence and an insatiable appetite for fame and irony, leaving Reed to ponder quietly: Would we have succeeded without Warhol's help? This doubt begins to spread like a malignant force, eventually leading to the band's undoing as they break away from Warhol and, perhaps, give up their golden ticket to success.

Explore the story behind the group The New York Times called "arguably the most influential American rock band of our time," through good times and bad, as captured in emotive style by multi-award winning artist Koren Shadmi (Twilight Man, Love Addict: Confessions of a Serial Dater).

Review Quotes

"An impressive feat that shows just how much work and research went into getting the story right. It's an inescapable book for those that want to know The Velvet Underground."--Ricardo Serrano Denis "The Beat"

"Lush drawings and a captivating narrative combine for a wonderful telling of the Velvet Underground story."-- "Starred Kirkus Review"

"With absolutely gorgeous illustrations and deft pacing and plotting, every page is a masterpiece of detail and momentum. You can almost hear the music coming off the page."-- "Newsweek"

"Shadmi's graphic biography is richly detailed, beginning with Reed and Cale as college boys. Everyone is portrayed with both their talents and their flaws, but this is especially true of Reed and Warhol. Shadmi's detailed illustrations convey the atmosphere of New York City in the 1960s, as well as the emotions and tension felt by the band members. Publishing is not short on musicians' graphic biographies, but this one succeeds in showing the
interconnectedness of pop culture at the time."-- "Booklist"

"The lilting and cacophonous urgency of the Velvet Underground's sound is adroitly packaged in this graphic history. Shadmi's fervor for the band's mythic history will win over longtime fans and neophytes alike."-- "Publishers Weekly"