A founding member of The Velvet Underground, John Cale also maintained an acclaimed solo career and produced some of the most important early punk albums. The Welshman came to America on a music scholarship in '63, and immersed himself into the New York avant-garde scene through collaborations with La Monte Young. These experiences would influence his work with the seminal Velvets, though his time in the group was short-lived; tensions with Lou Reed led to his departure in 1968, after which he produced LPs for the Stooges and Patti Smith, while also continuing his own eclectic recording career.