The Velvet Underground was an American rock band first active from 1965 to 1973. Its best-known lineup is vocalist/guitarist Lou Reed, bassist/violist John Cale, guitarist Sterling Morrison and drummer Maureen Tucker. Some see Velvet Underground as being a bridge between the pacifist themes of the late 60s and the sheer chaos and indifference of the mid-70s punk rock movement. The Velvet Underground was one of the first rock music groups to experiment heavily with the form by incorporating avant-garde influences.