John Davies Cale, born on March 9, 1942, in Garnant, Wales, is a distinguished Welsh musician, composer, and producer. He is most renowned for being a founding member of the influential rock band the Velvet Underground. Cale's work spans various musical genres, including classical, avant-garde, rock, and electronica. His early life in a rural Welsh mining village was marked by his bilingual upbringing; he spoke Welsh and later learned English. Cale's musical journey began with classical piano and viola, leading him to join the National Youth Orchestra of Wales at age 13. He studied musicology at Goldsmiths’ College in London and later moved to the United States to study with composers Aaron Copland and Iannis Xenakis.

In New York City, Cale became associated with avant-garde composers like John Cage and La Monte Young, which influenced his experimental approach to music. In 1964, he met Lou Reed and together they formed the Velvet Underground, blending Reed's provocative lyrics with Cale's avant-garde musical influences. The band's debut album, "The Velvet Underground & Nico," released in 1967, is noted for its groundbreaking sound, featuring Cale's droning viola and innovative arrangements.

Beyond his work with the Velvet Underground, Cale has had a prolific solo career and has produced albums for numerous influential artists, including Patti Smith, the Stooges, the Modern Lovers, and Squeeze. His contributions to music have left an indelible mark on the history of rock and avant-garde music.