The Velvet Underground was an incredibly fluid band over time, with members moving in and out of the band. Through the years, the band had a number of different singers or vocalists who each contributed to varying degrees.

Lou Reed

Lou Reed is the primary main vocalist on most of The Velvet Underground’s songs. His vocal style is so varying and diverse that he has a few totally different sounds. To hear an example of Reed’s vocals, listen to Pale Blue Eyes, and, to hear an example of his varying vocal style, listen to Vicious for some contrast.

Doug Yule

As John Cale’s replacement in the band, Yule didn’t start off as a singer in the band, but rather as a bassist and organist, but over time he sang lead more and more frequently. Yule sang in some of The Velvet Underground’s greatest songs like Candy Says, New Age, and Oh! Sweet Nuthin.

John Cale

Vocals might not have been Cale’s primary contribution to the band, but Cale did take his turn with lead vocals on some of the band’s more experimental tracks. To hear examples of Cale’s vocals, check out Lady Godiva’s Operation, or, The Gift (a lengthy spoken word piece performed by Cale).

Maureen (“Moe”) Tucker

Best known as the band’s drummer, Moe Tucker also took her turn with lead vocals on a couple of occasions. The band only had two female vocalists who sang lead vocals at any given point at time-Tucker, and Nico. Tucker sang co-lead vocals with Reed on After Hours, and sang lead vocals on I’m Sticking With You. She also read the spoken word poem, The Murder Mystery.

Nico

Not technically a member of the band, Nico nonetheless sang lead vocals on one of the band’s albums – The Velvet Underground & Nico. On the album, Nico sings lead vocals on three tracks: All Tomorrow’s Parties, Femme Fatale, and I’ll Be Your Mirror. Nico went on to produce a lot of music in her solo career after the album.

Sterling Morrison (Honorable Mention)

While Morrison made significant contributions to the band in other ways, he did have many lead vocal lines. In fact, although he often sang backing vocals, Morrison never sang lead for an entire song. He did, however, have a lead singing line here and there. Morrison did recite one verse of The Murder Mystery, and also sang one line in I’m Sticking With You.