Andy Warhol

Andy Warhol (born Andrew Warhola; the original surname of his parents was Varchola) August 6, 1928 – February 22, 1987) was an American painter, film-maker, publisher and a major figure in the pop art movement.

Shooting

On June 3, 1968, Valerie Solanas, a Factory regular, entered Warhol's studio and fired three shots at Warhol, nearly killing him. Although the first two rounds missed, the third passed through Warhol's left lung, spleen, stomach, liver, esophagus and right lung. Solanas then turned the gun on a companion of Warhol, Mario Amaya, injuring his thigh. Although Warhol survived these injuries, he never fully recovered. Solanas later explained that "he had too much control over my life." The story of Valerie Solanas was made into the 1996 movie I Shot Andy Warhol starring Lili Taylor and directed by Mary Harron.

Related Topics:
June 3 - 1968 - Valerie Solanas - 1996 - I Shot Andy Warhol - Lili Taylor - Mary Harron

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Warhol's friend Lou Reed, for one, never forgave Solanas for the attack. In 1990 he recorded the album Songs for Drella with fellow Velvet Underground alumnus John Cale, which contained the song I Believe. In it, Reed sang "I believe/I would've pulled the switch on her myself." In other songs on the album, Reed expresses his regrets about not having paid a lot of attention to Warhol in the time before his death.

Related Topics:
Lou Reed - 1990 - Songs for Drella - Velvet Underground - John Cale

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Warhol himself ultimately forgave Solanas and later satirized the whole event in a subsequent movie, calling a group similar to Solanas' S.C.U.M. (Society for Cutting Up Men), P.I.G. – Politically Involved Girlies.

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