Do What You Fear Most: The History of the Velvet Underground with Richie Unterberger

The definitive history of the Velvet Underground, tracing Lou Reed, John Cale, Nico, Andy Warhol, and the 1960s New York underground that reshaped rock music. Come hear Richie discuss his latest book! He'll also present some rare Velvet Underground film clips and recordings at the event, as well as show and talk about pictures in the book.

Richie Unterberger is the author of around a dozen rock history books, including Unknown Legends of Rock’n’Roll,  Won’t Get Fooled Again: The Who from Lifehouse to Quadrophenia and Turn! Turn! Turn!. His book The Unreleased Beatles: Music and Film won an Association for Recorded Sound Collections Award for Excellence in Historical Recorded Sound Research. He has contributed to numerous publications, including Record Collector and MOJO. He’s written liner notes for several hundred album reissues, including the extensive notes for the super deluxe edition of The Velvet Underground & Nico and Why Don’t You Smile Now: Lou Reed at Pickwick Records 1964-65. He gives regular presentations on rock and soul history throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and teaches courses at College of Marin and several universities.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026 
Center for Student Success, CSS 200
12:40pm to 1:30pm