“I remember someone talking about the influence that ‘the Velvet Underground’’s first album had on rock music.”
Yes, we’ve all heard “the album that launched a million bands” stuff. i’ll take that as given. Now, don’t you think Elvis, The Beatles, or any number of more popular groups started more? I do.
Then there are people like James Brown or groups like The Ramones/Sex Pistols or Black Sabbath that were influential enough to start a whole subgenre. So why all the focus on The Velvet Underground? They were a nerd’s band. A band for rock critics. Unlike The Beatles, who were a band for everyone.
It is just I have a greater appreciation for the influence/direction/effect that the Velvet Underground (and especially the Rolling Stones) had on music than that of the Beatles.
Nothing against the Beatles, grew up listening to them and love them. Saw Paul McCartney in concert at the SuperDome around 1992.