Van Der Graaf Generator

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Manchester, England (1967 – 1972, 1975 – 1978, 2005 – present)

Van der Graaf Generator, sometimes known by the shorter Van der Graaf, are a 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 - and -influenced first incarnation were offered a recording contract with Mercury Records.
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Popular tags: progressive rock, art rock, progressive, classic rock, rock  See more

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  • stoner_friend

    innominatum1982, нихуя. У Кинг Кримзон тоже много

    3 hours ago

  • ikarus999

    Pawn Hearts is my Nº1.

    Tuesday evening

  • Led_Zayatts

    Андеграундофаллометрия)

    last week

  • innominatum1982

    Попса попсой.. достаточно на колличество слушателей взглянуть.. Х(

    last week

  • Ozymandias90

    I'd have to say my favorite VdGG album is H to He, although Godbluff is getting to me. I haven't listened to Still Life yet, still on my shelf since I have a backlog of other prog rock albums to listen to.

    last week

  • R-R-Leite

    What's your favourite VDGG album?Mine is Godbluff, hands down, it was more than a mindblower for the state of mind I was in when I first heard it, and it still has food for thought. [2], ARROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How did you find your way into VdGG music? Listening "White Hammer Of Love" in the radio after midnight.

    16 days ago

  • prog73

    How did you find your way into VdGG music? My first album was Pawn Hearts and after listening the first time I was really disappointed. Coming from bands like Yes and Camel, the disharmonic parts of Man Erg and Lighthouse Keepers just got on my nerves. Fortunately I gave them a second chance with Godbluff (which is much easier to start with). After getting H to He and Still Life it took not much more time to become VdGG my favourite band at all. And now, about ten years later, well, they still are... (P.S. It took me about ten tries to like Plaque of Lighthouse Keepers, and about fifteen to love it ;)

    20 days ago

  • davesantos

    Wow! I want this!

    22 days ago

  • Led_Zayatts

    I got a copy The Book delivered recently, almost finished it. It wasn't cheap, but it was more than worth its price! I think it's a must have for any big VdGG fan. Hats off to Jim Christopulos and Phil Smart!

    23 days ago

  • davesantos

    The Least We Can Do is Wave To Each Other changed my life for good.

    23 days ago

  • Led_Zayatts

    Mine is Godbluff, hands down, it was more than a mindblower for the state of mind I was in when I first heard it, and it still has food for thought.

    24 days ago

  • fastlane01

    Godbluff for me.

    24 days ago

  • Sosen

    I have to say World Record... The Least We Can Do etc. is right behind it. Not one song on either of those albums is anything less than fantastic.

    last month

  • pauldove

    What's your favourite VDGG album? It's either H to He, Who am the only one or Still Life.

    last month

  • Sosen

    A Grounding In Numbers is just inappropriately awesome for a band whose members are almost senior citizens.

    last month

  • mmmojo

    Satan listens to VdGG! so, Peter Hammill > Satan [2]

    last month

  • Ton87

    What's your favourite VDGG album? Mine is definitely The Least We Can Do IWTEO.

    last month

  • momonga2345

    Awesome ...

    last month

  • momonga2345

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWcJ7WeAK78

    last month

  • CodexManesse

    Peter Hammill = Santa

    last month
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