The Velvet Underground

Joan Jett, Lou Reed, Green Day, and Stevie Ray Vaughn among Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees

Lou Reed and Joan Jett will be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and join the likes of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, and The Clash.

Among other acts that will be inducted in 2015 are Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, Bill Withers, and The Paul Butterfield Blues Band.

Ringo Starr will also be awarded the Award for Musical Excellence and the “5” Royales will receive the Early Influence Award at the ceremony. The induction and award ceremony will be held on April 18 2015 at Cleveland’s Public House.

Green Day are the 48th act that have been inducted the first year of being eligible. Frontman Billie Joe Armstrong told Rolling Stone, “I had to go for a walk when I heard the news. We’re in incredible company and I’m still trying to make sense of this. The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame has always held something special for me because my heroes were in there. This is a great time for us to sort of reflect and look back with gratitude.”

Reed, who has appeared on the ballot in 2000 and 2001, has become the first person to be inducted as both a band member (Velvet Underground in 1996) and also as a solo artist. He is now in the likes of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Neil Young. The late musician is inducted for “uncompromising stance in the service of his artistic vision – often following commercial breakthroughs with daring, experimental projects that initially confounded both fans and critics only to gain recognition decades later.”

Over 600 artists, historians and members of the music industry chose the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame list of inductees. Fans were able to vote for their favorite artists this year. To be eligible to be nominated, the artist has to release a single or album at least 20 years before that year’s nomination. Other names that were on the ballot included The Smiths, Nine Inch Nails, Kraftwerk, Sting, and Chic.

John Cale releases touching tribute to Lou Reed

Lou Reed passed away at the age of 71 one year ago from today. Former Velvet Underground bandmate, John Cale, commemorated Reed’s vast legacy, and their own history by sharing a reworked version of his Music for a New Society single, “If You Were Still Around.” The tribute is matched with an equally emotional video.

The video has background images of Cale’s time with Reed and the Velvet Underground along with with Cale’s own performance.

Cale released a statement about Reed, saying:

A Moth and a Candle met. They decided to become friends. Everyone enjoyed watching their discourse – especially the risk takers. Then one day a big rain came. The Moth couldn’t fly and the Candle puttered out. Everyone laughed in bitter awe and blamed the rain. Most however knew the deeper truth – the Candle remains lit and the Moth will stay close.

The Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist

1. Blue Moon – Beck

2. Plastic Soldiers – Portugal. The Man

3. Superstar – Sonic Youth

4. When You Sleep – My Bloody Valentine

5. She’s Lost Control – Joy Division

6. Walk On the Wild Side – Lou Reed

7. Rock & Roll – The Velvet Underground

8. September Gurls – Big Star

9. Sparky’s Dream – Teenage Fanclub

10. Sometimes Always – The Jesus and Mary Chain

11. Uncertain Smile – The The

12. Radio, Radio – Elvis Costello and the Attractions

13. Boredom – Buzzcocks

14. Into Your Arms – The Lemonheads

15. Out There – Dinosaur Jr.

16. Lips Like a Sugar – Echo and the Bunnymen

17. I Need Some Sleep – Eels

18. Splitter – Calexico

19. 100 Other Lovers – Devotchka

20. Holland, 1945 – Neutral Milk Hotel

Melodic Tree’s Weekly Playlist