This is a Velvet Underground poster advertising “The World’s First Mod Wedding Happening,” an event held on Sunday, November 20, 1966, at the Carnaby Street Fun Festival in Detroit, Michigan. The event, a “Freak Out,” took place from noon to 10 PM at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. The poster, printed on parchment-style card stock, measures approximately 17.5 x 21 inches and features bold black text alongside a central photograph of The Velvet Underground and Nico.
Prominently displayed at the top is the name “Andy Warhol,” followed by mentions of Nico, billed as “Girl of the Year,” and Gerard Malanga, described as “Superstar.” Warhol’s influence and his role as the band’s manager are central to the poster’s design, linking the experimental music of The Velvet Underground with his multimedia art projects. Below their names, the band is announced as a key attraction, reinforcing their growing reputation in 1966 as part of Warhol’s avant-garde collective.
The central image is a black-and-white photograph of The Velvet Underground with Nico, aligning with the minimalist yet impactful design. The event itself, marketed as a “Mod Wedding Happening,” highlights its unconventional and experimental nature, combining elements of music, performance art, and cultural commentary.
This poster reflects the countercultural spirit of the 1960s, with its bold typography and minimalist layout emphasizing the innovative energy of Warhol and The Velvet Underground. It serves as a historical artifact from a pivotal moment in the band’s early career and the broader cultural revolution.
Accompanying the poster is a unique archive of materials from Al Abrams, Motown Records’ original press officer and publicist, that provides a richer context for the event. These materials offer an intimate glimpse into the spectacle and significance of the Mod Wedding Happening.
The archive includes:
- Invitation and envelope to the Mod Wedding
- Nine negatives and nine photographic prints from the event featuring notable figures such as Andy Warhol, Lou Reed, The Velvet Underground, and Nico
- Copy of the original press release covering the event
- Newspaper clipping that documents the occasion
One of the most memorable moments from the event is captured in the archive—a member of Andy Warhol’s entourage theatrically smashing the roof of an old DeSoto with a sledgehammer. The meaning of this act was left unexplained, adding to the mystery and provocative nature of the happening. The DeSoto, adorned with a sticker reading “If It Moves, Fondle It,” became a symbolic centerpiece of the event’s countercultural defiance and artistic experimentation. This moment, along with the other materials in the archive, underscores the Mod Wedding as a quintessential reflection of the era’s avant-garde ethos.
Check out a write up of the event at dangerousminds.net.
