Unearthed 1969 video showcases legendary band in its prime

Footage of The Velvet Underground performing at a Dallas peace rally has been restored and shared online.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:24pm

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Archivists at Southern Methodist University discovered rare 16mm footage in 2019 of The Velvet Underground performing at a 1969 anti-Vietnam War rally at White Rock Lake in Dallas. Boston-based videographer Jack Amadon has now painstakingly restored and synced the video with live audio of the band playing their song "I'm Waiting for the Man" days later at a local nightclub, creating a remarkable new artifact of the influential band in its prime.

Why it matters

The Velvet Underground was one of the most innovative and influential rock bands of the 1960s, but they were rarely filmed in performance. This newly unearthed and restored footage provides a unique window into the band's live energy and artistry during a pivotal moment in their history and the nation's history.

The details

The original 16mm footage was found by SMU archivists in 2019, showing the band performing at a "Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam" rally at White Rock Lake. However, the concert audio was garbled, so videographer Jack Amadon painstakingly matched the visuals with live audio of the band playing "I'm Waiting for the Man" days later at a local Dallas nightclub called The End of Cole Ave. After weeks of editing, Amadon was able to create a cohesive, high-quality video that has now gone viral online.

  • The original 16mm footage was filmed on October 15, 1969 during a peace rally at White Rock Lake in Dallas.
  • The Velvet Underground performed "I'm Waiting for the Man" at The End of Cole Ave. nightclub in Dallas a few days after the White Rock Lake rally.

The players

The Velvet Underground

An influential American rock band formed in the 1960s, known for their innovative and experimental sound that helped shape the development of punk and alternative rock music.

Jack Amadon

A Boston-based videographer and Velvet Underground fanatic who painstakingly restored and synced the newly discovered 1969 footage of the band performing.

Southern Methodist University

The university where archivists discovered the original 16mm reel of footage showing The Velvet Underground performing at a 1969 peace rally in Dallas.

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What they’re saying

“It's a little dizzying that this project is garnering this much attention. It's blown up bigger than I expected.”

— Jack Amadon, Videographer

What’s next

The newly restored and shared video of The Velvet Underground's 1969 performance is expected to generate renewed interest and appreciation for the band's legacy, potentially leading to further archival discoveries or special screenings of the footage.

The takeaway

This unearthed and expertly restored footage provides a rare, intimate glimpse into the live power and artistry of one of rock music's most influential and innovative bands at the height of their creative powers, offering a valuable historical document for music fans and scholars alike.