Lou Reed has historically stolen the show when it comes to the legend and infamy of The Velvet Underground. However, the band really was the sum of its parts. And Sterling Morrison, the band’s founding guitarist, bassist, and backing vocalist, was one of the most underrated members of the group. Let’s look at just a few songs that prove he was a standout member of The Velvet Underground!
“I’m Gonna Move Right In”
Like many of the best guitarists of the 20th century, Morrison wasn’t really a “flashy” guitarist, nor was he a show-off. He let his skill speak for itself. In general, he preferred to write and perform lead guitar parts in The Velvet Underground that complemented the overall feel and instrumentation of a song.
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Morrison definitely incorporated that preference into “I’m Gonna Move Right In”. You can hear some of Morrison’s bluesy inspirations on this track, and the whole of the song is made so much better by his easy-going, skillful, and somewhat improvisational guitar track.
“H*roin”
Both Morrison and Reed wanted to use two guitars in The Velvet Underground’s music. More often than not, dueling guitars can be a bit difficult to master. But Morrison was one of the most collab-friendly and relaxed musicians out there at the time. It was an easy thing to implement, and “H*roin” is probably the best example of how good having two guitar tracks in a song could be.
Morrison and Reed duel it out on this song, and Morrison more or less only plays two chords throughout the song. But it works beautifully.
“Pale Blue Eyes”
The Velvet Underground explored the notion of having two guitarists throughout the band’s lifespan, and there were many more examples of how this dynamic played out outside of “H*roin”. However, as the band progressed, Morrison began to stand out more and more as a true lead guitarist.
“Pale Blue Eyes” showcases this position quite gorgeously. His solo is on the mild side, as he wasn’t one to be showy. Something could be said about a lead guitarist who shows some restraint, especially for a band like The Velvet Underground. The precision of his notes is admirable and entrancing, and I’d be bold enough to say that “Pale Blue Eyes” is one of his best guitar tracks.
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