In the annals of music history, there are often tales of feuds and disputes between the biggest stars. One such story unfolds in 1974 in New York City. David Bowie, a musical icon, attended a show at Club 82 to discover a band that would leave a lasting mark. Television, with their awkward yet punkish aesthetic, stood out among the drag performers and glitz. Bowie was immediately captivated by their proto-punk style and raucous guitars. He couldn't contain his praise and announced to the press that "Television is the most original band I've seen in New York. They've got it."

The Velvet Underground Connection

This glowing advertisement caught the attention of John Cale from the Velvet Underground. He recognized the brilliance of the New York group and informed his former bandmate, Lou Reed. Initially, Reed was warm to Television as they were reviving a similar style to what the Velvet Underground had pioneered. He even attended several of their shows. However, things took a turn when a small misdemeanor occurred.

The Incident at Max's Kansas City

At one of Television's shows at Max's Kansas City, Verlaine spotted Reed in the crowd with a portable cassette recorder, taping the full performance. Verlaine was irked by Reed's act of selfishness and chose not to handle the situation amicably. Instead, he confiscated the recording from Reed. This act further fueled the growing tension between the two.

The Revenge at Mother's

Rather than admitting his fault, Reed chose to stoke the fire. When he caught another Television performance at the local gay bar, Mother's, he made a dramatic exit, essentially telling the band exactly what he thought of them. This exchange of blows between two rock heavyweights was a sight to behold and ended in tears, at least for a short period. But later, Verlaine and Reed would make up and become friends, showing that even the most troubled beginnings can have a happy ending.