John Cale

Biography

John Davies Cale, OBE, is a Welsh musician, composer, singer, songwriter and record producer. At an early age Cale discovered a talent for the viola, and became a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales at the age of 13. He was later awarded a scholarship at Goldsmiths College, London, England. In 1963, he travelled to the United States to continue his musical training with the assistance and influence of Aaron Copland. He was a founding member of the American rock band The Velvet Underground. Over his five-decade career, Cale has worked in various styles across rock, drone, classical, avant-garde and electronic music.

Known for

The Bridge

10 July 2013

The Velvet Underground

Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song

1 July 2022

Diaries, Notes, and Sketches

1 March 1968

Danny Says

18 March 2015

Scenes from the Life of Andy Warhol: Friendships & Intersections

1 June 1990

The Blank Generation

22 April 1976

The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound

8 February 1966

Acting roles

Year	Movie / TV show / Other	Role
—	Kevin Ayers - Musical Express 1981
—	Whips	Self
2022	Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song	Self
2021	The Velvet Underground	Self
2017	John Cale & Guest - perform The Velvet Underground & Nico	Performer
2016	Tony Conrad: Completely in the Present	Himself (archival footage)
2016	Love Twice	Lester
2015	Danny Says	Self (archive footage)
2013	The Bridge
2010	John Cale & Band: Live at Rockpalast
2008	Salamander	Dick Winter
2008	New York Rock at the BBC
2007	A Walk Into the Sea: Danny Williams and the Warhol Factory	Self
2006	Velvet Underground: Under Review
2006	Velvet Underground's First Public Appearance	Himself
2005	Punk: Attitude	Self
2003	New Scenes from America	Himself - Musician
2003	Still: Here/Now	Self
2002	n[eon]	Narrator
2001	Andy Warhol: The Complete Picture	Self
2000	Beautiful Mistake
2000	Nico Live in Marseille	Self
1998	John Cale: An Exploration of His Life & Music	Self
1997	Rhinoceros Hunting in Budapest	Manager
1995	Nico Icon	Himself
1995	Dancing Barefoot	Self
1995	Antártida	Cale
1995	Brian Wilson: I Just Wasn't Made for These Times	Self
1993	The Velvet Underground - Velvet Redux Live MCMXCIII	bass, viola, keyboards, vocals
1993	Curious: The Velvet Underground in Europe	Self
1993	Words for the Dying	Himself
1992	John Cale: Fragments of a Rainy Season
1990	Scenes from the Life of Andy Warhol: Friendships & Intersections	Self
1990	Songs for Drella	Self
1989	Wonderland USA	Lonely writer
1989	The Houseguest	Hubbley
1988	Put More Blood Into the Music	Himself
1986	The South Bank Show: Velvet Underground	self
1985	The Equalizer	Aryan Leader
1984	Musik Convoy	Self
1976	The Blank Generation	Self
1972	The Velvet Underground at Bataclan '72
1968	Diaries, Notes, and Sketches	Self
1967	Exploding Plastic Inevitable	Himself
1967	Four Stars	Man (uncredited)
1967	The Velvet Underground in Boston
1966	The Velvet Underground and Nico: A Symphony of Sound	Himself
1966	Screen Test #3
1966	The Velvet Underground: Psychiatrist's Convention, NYC, 1966
1966	The Velvet Underground Rehearses
1966	Moe Gets Tied Up
1966	The Velvet Underground Tarot Cards	Himself
1966	Satisfaction
1966	Screen Test: John Cale	Himself
1965	Andy Warhol Screen Tests	Self
1965	Dirt
1965	Venus in Furs	Himself

Credits

Year	Movie / TV show / Other	Role
2024	Colours	Songs
2018	Paul Sanchez Is Back!	Music
2018	Les Unwanted de Europa	Original Music Composer
2015	The Communist Revolution Was Caused By The Sun	Music
2014	This Is Cosmos	Music
2012	Of Women and Horses	Music
2011	A Burning Hot Summer	Original Music Composer
2010	A Beautiful Mistake	Music
2010	Fluxfilm Anthology 1962-1970	Director
2009	American Widow	Original Music Composer
2004	Rhinoceros Eyes	Music
2004	Process	Music
2003	Otherworld	Music
2003	New Scenes from America	Music
2003	Paris	Music
2000	American Psycho	Original Music Composer
2000	The King's Daughters	Original Music Composer
2000	Love Me	Music
2000	The Farewell	Original Music Composer
2000	Beautiful Mistake	Music
2000	The Virgin	Music
2000	Nico Live in Marseille	Director
2000	Nico Live in Marseille	Recording Supervision
1999	Wisconsin Death Trip	Music
1999	The Wind of the Night	Original Music Composer
1998	Somewhere in the City	Original Music Composer
1997	Rhinoceros Hunting in Budapest	Music
1996	Basquiat	Original Music Composer
1996	I Shot Andy Warhol	Music
1996	Don't Forget You're Going to Die	Original Music Composer
1995	Antártida	Music
1994	Ah Pook Is Here.	Music
1993	The Birth of Love	Original Music Composer
1992	John Cale: Fragments of a Rainy Season	Producer
1992	Primary Motive	Music
1991	Paris Awakens	Original Music Composer
1990	Songs for Drella	Original Music Composer
1989	The Houseguest	Original Music Composer
1986	Something Wild	Original Music Composer
1982	Who Am I This Time?	Original Music Composer
1974	Caged Heat	Original Music Composer
1972	Heat	Music
1971	Women in Revolt	Original Music Composer
1970	Straight and Narrow	Music
1966	Police Car	Director
1963	Kiss	Music