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Van der Graaf Generator
1,424,369 plays (133,886 listeners)
Manchester, England (1967 – 1972, 1975 – 1978, 2005 – present)
Van der Graaf Generator, sometimes known by the shorter Van der Graaf, are a progressive rock band formed in Manchester, England. They were the first act signed to Charisma Records. The band achieved considerable success in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 they embarked on a reunion, which continues to the present day.
The signature Van der Graaf Generator sound in the 1970s was a combination of Peter Hammill’s distinctive and dynamic voice and David Jackson’s electronically-treated saxophones, generally playing over thick chordal keyboard parts (such as Hammond organ and/or clavinet). Van der Graaf Generator albums tended to be darker in atmosphere than many of their prog-rock peers (a trait they shared with King Crimson, whose guitarist Robert Fripp guested on two of their albums), and guitar solos were the exception rather than the rule.
Hammill is the primary songwriter for the band, and the line between music written for his solo career and for the band is often blurred.
The band first formed in 1967 while its members were studying at Manchester University. The three-piece was comprised of Peter Hammill (guitar and vocals), Nick Pearne (organ) and Chris Judge Smith (drums and wind instruments). The group was named after a piece of electric equipment designed to produce static electricity, the Van de Graaff generator. The name was suggested by early member, Chris Judge Smith (the misspellings are accidental). On the basis of a demo, this blues- and jazz-influenced first incarnation were offered a recording contract with Mercury Records.
The signature Van der Graaf Generator sound in the 1970s was a combination of Peter Hammill’s distinctive and dynamic voice and David Jackson’s electronically-treated saxophones, generally playing over thick chordal keyboard parts (such as Hammond organ and/or clavinet). Van der Graaf Generator albums tended to be darker in atmosphere than many of their prog-rock peers (a trait they shared with King Crimson, whose guitarist Robert Fripp guested on two of their albums), and guitar solos were the exception rather than the rule.
Hammill is the primary songwriter for the band, and the line between music written for his solo career and for the band is often blurred.
The band first formed in 1967 while its members were studying at Manchester University. The three-piece was comprised of Peter Hammill (guitar and vocals), Nick Pearne (organ) and Chris Judge Smith (drums and wind instruments). The group was named after a piece of electric equipment designed to produce static electricity, the Van de Graaff generator. The name was suggested by early member, Chris Judge Smith (the misspellings are accidental). On the basis of a demo, this blues- and jazz-influenced first incarnation were offered a recording contract with Mercury Records.
Top Albums
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Godbluff
Van der Graaf Generator
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Pawn Hearts
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H to He Who, Am the Only One
Van der Graaf Generator Buy- Download Album
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Man-Erg
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The Undercover Man
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Scorched Earth
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Refugees
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Pilgrims
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Lemmings (Including Cog)
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The Sleepwalkers
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Arrow
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Still Life
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Out of My Book
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Shoutbox
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Mahaboon wrote:
Greatest band of all time along with King Crimson... It really makes me want to cry for all the shit we have to deal with listening to now.
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Angie_90 wrote:
I love them.
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gallprogressive wrote:
Visceral prog
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jenisx wrote:
falow
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jaricleiv wrote:
I can say one thing only - they are the best!
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Poor-Tom wrote:
Trisector was surprisingly good I thought! But I also think "H to He Who, Am the Only One", "Pawn Hearts" and "Godbluff" are their best albums! Cheers ...
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Something_Dumb wrote:
from first to last
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Led_Zayatts wrote:
Pawn Hearts, Godbluff, Still Life, I consider those three to be their best.
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Barely-A-Vapor wrote:
Hey, I'm just starting to get to know this band, so far I've heard the album "H to He Who, Am the Only One", which I like a lot. Any suggestions as to which albums to listen to?
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gogitosbanditos wrote:
http://www.last.fm/group/Pink+Floyd+is+not+prog!+It+is+primitive! everyone who's angry with tagginig this band progressive, join in :)
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pypks wrote:
Pawn hearts is the best!
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Wixu wrote:
i love them, they're sexy.
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theytsejamer wrote:
great.... VDGG is one of the best eclectic bands!!!!!
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Progrockftw wrote:
As for the discussion below: Radiohead has nothing to do with VDGG. Nothing! Radiohead is nothing compared to Van Der Graaf Generator and Peter Hammill.
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adrian602 wrote:
No. This pic is clearly fantastic, keep it up.
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insomniacme wrote:
I know most of these "classic rock" related artists have horrid pics, but for god sakes, the current one is just ....
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Clashnroller wrote:
Incredible band.
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Estela_Cps wrote:
Magníficos :-) Não passo um só dia sem ouví-los!
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staytooned wrote:
!!!
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fastlane01 wrote:
I like VDGG and Radiohead both in their own rights, in fact the latter has been my favourite band for some time now. I don't really see the similarities, except lyrically perhaps. There are probably more, but their biggest similarity is their excellent quality.
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Recent Activity
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Wolkenschieber2, DrMadus, RichardCollier and 7 other people added Van der Graaf Generator to their libraries. 3 hours ago
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator – Godbluff in Prog Albums: Decade: 1970s. yesterday afternoon
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator in Prog Albums: Decade: 1970s. yesterday afternoon
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator – Pawn Hearts in Prog Albums: Decade: 1970s. yesterday afternoon
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator – H to He, Who Am the Only One in Prog Albums: Decade: 1970s. yesterday afternoon
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator – The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other in Prog Albums: Decade: 1970s. yesterday afternoon
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator – Still Life in Prog Albums: Decade: 1970s. yesterday afternoon
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator – Trisector in Prog Albums: Decade: 2000s. yesterday afternoon
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Mark_H wrote about Van der Graaf Generator in Prog Albums: Decade: 2000s. yesterday afternoon
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massiveking and LordRavenSoul added Van der Graaf Generator to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
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Groups (144)
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Progressive Forever
60 members
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Van Der Graaf Generator
295 members
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Charisma label
27 members
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Peter Hammill
145 members
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Canterbury Scene
104 members
