Sterling Morrison
Sterling Morrison (actually Holmes Sterling Morrison, Jr .; born August 29, 1942 in Westbury; † August 30, 1995 in Poughkeepsie , New York ) was guitarist of the New York avant-garde from 1965 to 1971 and - after a reunion - from 1992 to 1993 - Rock band " The Velvet Underground ".
Life
Sterling Morrison studied English at Syracuse University , where he met a fellow student who also played guitar: Lou Reed , who financed his studies by writing songs for Pickwick Records. The two rehearsed together for a while, but then lost sight of each other when Morrison interrupted his studies. In 1965, Reed and Morrison met again in New York. Together with the classically trained musician John Cale and the drummer Angus MacLise , an initially loose band project was launched. After differences with MacLise, Morrison brought drummer Maureen Tucker into the band in his place .
The Velvet Underground
The regular line-up of The Velvet Underground was born. Sterling Morrison mostly played the accompanying guitar riffs, but also took turns as lead guitarist or bassist, while Reed sang or played guitar and the multi-instrumentalist Cale, the actual bassist of the group, an electrically amplified viola / violin or keyboard instruments (organ, piano) served. Although Morrison was considered a skilled bass player - he played the bass riffs of "Sunday Morning" on the group's Andy Warhol sponsored debut album - he said he was not particularly fond of the instrument.
When John Cale left the group after an argument with Reed in 1968, Morrison concentrated exclusively on the role of guitarist; He also contributed to some songs such as the almost 8 minute long “Murder Mystery” chant. Under the dominance of Lou Reed, Morrison gradually lost interest in the concept of "Velvet Underground" and so he took up his studies again on the side. In 1971, Morrison had his last appearance with The Velvet Underground in Houston at a time when Reed had already left the band.
After separating from the band, Morrison focused on his academic career and took on teaching positions. In his own words, he only pursued his musical ambitions “for fun, so as not to lose track of practice”; He also took part in a few sessions with lesser-known Texas roadhouse bands until he had completed his dissertation in English literature at the University of Texas at Austin .
In the mid-1980s he met some of his old bandmates. Morrison recorded a few pieces with Reed as well as with Cale and his old friend Maureen Tucker. It wasn't until 1992 that The Velvet Underground reunited with the original line-up at short notice . After a European tour in 1993, however, the band members fell out again, so that the band was finally dissolved. In 1994, Morrison briefly joined Maureen Tucker's solo projects and pursued his own band ideas until he was suddenly diagnosed with lymph gland cancer ( Hodgkin's syndrome ) during a routine examination .
Sterling Morrison died shortly after his 53rd birthday on August 30, 1995.
Web links
- a tribute to Sterling Morrison (English)
- Sterling Morrison at Allmusic (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Morrison, Sterling |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Morrison, Holmes Sterling junior (real name) |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American musician and guitarist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 29, 1942 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Westbury, New York |
| DATE OF DEATH | August 30, 1995 |
| Place of death | Poughkeepsie , New York |