Velvet Underground – May 11 1969 – Beaux Arts Ball – Washington University

VENUE: Washington University Field House, St. Louis MO

DATE: May 11 1969

SECTION: Concert Poster

TITLE: Velvet Underground / Taj Mahal / White Lightning – Beaux Arts Ball

This large silkscreened poster promoted the Beaux Arts Ball, a dance and costume event presented by the Washington University Fine Arts Council. The lineup featured Lou Reed & The Velvet Underground, Taj Mahal, and White Lightning.

The design is striking — black background with red and gold text and imagery, showing three sphinx‑like figures in gold, evoking an Egyptian motif.

This black‑gold‑red version is as rare as the red‑blue‑silver variant previously auctioned. Only a handful survive, saved by the original poster artist. Measuring 35 × 18 inches, it grades Near Mint and is considered museum‑quality.

EVENT: Beaux Arts Ball featuring Velvet Underground

ERA: 1969 – Late‑60s art rock period TONE: Avant‑garde and academic

NOTES:  

The Velvet Underground’s performance at Washington University became legendary. During their closer “Sister Ray,” Lou Reed quipped to the crowd, “This song is about what happens down in the street … which I’m sure you’re all familiar with.” The song reverberated through the Field House for nearly 28 minutes before the band left the stage.

Law students Robert Quine (JD ’68) and Barry Silverblatt (JD ’69) attended and recorded the show. Quine later became a renowned guitarist, known for his incendiary style with Richard Hell and the Voidoids, and eventually joined Lou Reed’s band in the 1980s. His tapes of this concert were released commercially in 2003 as The Quine Tapes.

The Velvet Underground’s influence extended far beyond their modest audiences. As the saying goes, “Only a few people ever really listened to the Velvet Underground, but nearly all of them started a band.” Quine was one of them, later listed among Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

Sources: Heritage Auctions; Washington University Magazine; The Quine Tapes (2003); Discogs; Wikipedia Copyright © 1969 Washington University Fine Arts Council. All rights reserved. Archival reproduction for educational and historical reference only.

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