Van der Graaf Generator
Cover of 2005 reunion album, from left: Evans, Jackson, Hammill, Banton
Background information
Origin	Manchester, England
Genre(s)	Progressive rock
Years active	1967–1972, 1975–1978, 2005–present
Label(s)	Mercury Records Charisma Records
Members
Hugh Banton Guy Evans Peter Hammill
Former members
Charles Dickie Keith Ian Ellis David Jackson Nick Pearne Nic Potter Chris Judge Smith Graham Smith

This article is about the band. For the machine used to accumulate electrical charge on a metal globe, see Van de Graaff generator.

Van der Graaf Generator were a seminal 1970s English progressive rock band. They were the first act signed to Charisma Records. The band achieved a considerable amount of success in Italy, during the 1970s. Image File history File links Presentvdgg. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England_(bordered). ... Manchester is a major city and metropolitan borough within Greater Manchester in North West England. ... Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification    - by Athelstan AD 927  Area    - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK)   50,346 sq mi  Population    - 2005 est. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Progressive rock (sometimes shortened to prog, prog rock, or progrock) is a subgenre of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, and has continued as a form of popular music to this day. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Mercury Records was a record label founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 by Irving Green, Berle Adams and Arthur Talmadge. ... Charisma Records was a record label started by former journalist Tony Stratton-Smith in 1969. ... Hugh Robert Banton (born 1948, is a British organist and organ builder, most widely known for his work with the group Van der Graaf Generator in the 1970s. ... Guy Randolph Evans (born 17 June 1947 in Birmingham) is a British progressive rock drummer, percussionist and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator, and Subterraneans. ... Peter Hammill portrayed on the cover of his solo album None of the Above (2000). ... David Jackson, nicknamed Jaxon, is a British progressive rock saxophonist, flautist, and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator. ... Christopher John Judge Smith (born 1948 in England), is a songwriter, composer and performer, and a founder member of progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ... Van de Graaff generator. ... A seminal work [from Latin semen meaning seed] is a work from which other works grow. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... Progressive rock (sometimes shortened to prog, prog rock, or progrock) is a subgenre of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, and has continued as a form of popular music to this day. ... Charisma Records was a record label started by former journalist Tony Stratton-Smith in 1969. ...

The signature VdGG sound 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 an exception rather than a rule. Peter Hammill portrayed on the cover of his solo album None of the Above (2000). ... David Jackson, nicknamed Jaxon, is a British progressive rock saxophonist, flautist, and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... A clavinet is a keyboard instrument, manufactured by the Hohner company. ... King Crimson is an English musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. ... Robert Fripp (born May 16, 1946 in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England) is a guitarist and a composer, perhaps best known for his founding role in the band King Crimson. ... Lead guitar refers to a role within a popular music band, especially a rock band, that provides melody or melodic material, as opposed to the rhythm of the rhythm guitar, bass, and drums. ...

Hammill was the primary songwriter for the band, and the line between music written for his solo career and for the band was often blurred.

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 misspelling is accidental. Van de Graaff generator. ... Christopher John Judge Smith (born 1948 in England), is a songwriter, composer and performer, and a founder member of progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ...

Band history

Formation and initial career 1967-1972

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). On the basis of a demo, this blues- and jazz-influenced first incarnation were offered a recording contract with Mercury Records, which only the 19-year old Hammill signed. See also: 1966 in music, other events of 1967, 1968 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music 1967 was an important year for psychedelic music, with releases from the Beatles Sgt. ... University of Manchester Motto: Cognitio Sapientia Hvmanitas Knowledge, wisdom, humanity. ... Peter Hammill portrayed on the cover of his solo album None of the Above (2000). ... Christopher John Judge Smith (born 1948 in England), is a songwriter, composer and performer, and a founder member of progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ... Mercury Records was a record label founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1945 by Irving Green, Berle Adams and Arthur Talmadge. ...

In 1968, Pearne was replaced by Hugh Banton. The band were able to secure Tony Stratton-Smith as a full-time manager. Through him, the band acquired a bass guitar player, Keith Ian Ellis. Drummer Guy Evans joined not too long afterwards. This line-up recorded a series of demos for Mercury, before releasing a single ("The People You Were Going To" b/w "Firebrand") on Polydor Records. The single was withdrawn under pressure from Mercury, since it violated Hammill's contract as a solo artist. Hugh Robert Banton (born 1948, is a British organist and organ builder, most widely known for his work with the group Van der Graaf Generator in the 1970s. ... Tony Stratton-Smith (1933-1987) was an English music manager, entrepreneur, and founder of London based Charisma Records which he began in 1969. ... Martin EB18 Bass Guitar in flight case. ... Guy Randolph Evans (born 17 June 1947 in Birmingham) is a British progressive rock drummer, percussionist and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator, and Subterraneans. ... Polydor Records is a record label once headquartered in Germany. ...

Although the band performed on BBC Radio 1's Top Gear in November, and was touring successfully, it broke up in early 1969. Pressures leading to this included the theft of the band's gear and transport in London, combined with Mercury's refusal to let Hammill out of his solo contract and the band's unwillingness to sign under the "harsh" terms to which Hammill had agreed. BBC Radio 1 is a British radio station operated by the BBC, specialising in popular music aimed at the 16-24 age bracket. ... Top Gears latest manifestation is an Emmy Award and BAFTA winning BBC television series about motor vehicles, particularly cars. ... See also: 1968 in music, other events of 1969, 1970 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events Perhaps the most famous musical events of 1969 are two legendary concerts. ...

In July 1969, Hammill went to record his first solo album at Trident Studios. Banton, Evans, and Ellis joined him as session musicians. Through a deal worked out by their manager, Hammill's intended solo album, The Aerosol Grey Machine, was released by Mercury under the band's name in return for releasing Hammill from his solo contract. The album was initially only released in the United States. The Aerosol Grey Machine is the first album by the British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ...

Tony Stratton-Smith formed Charisma Records and signed the band as his first act. Before recording their second album, The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other, Ellis left (eventually joining Juicy Lucy and a very brief incarnation of Iron Butterfly) and was replaced by Nic Potter, and David Jackson (saxophone and flute) was added to the line-up. Charisma Records was a record label started by former journalist Tony Stratton-Smith in 1969. ... The least we can do is wave to each other is an album by the British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ... A Jucy Lucy from Matts Bar in Minneapolis, Minnesota, showing the molten cheese core A juicy lucy (or jucy lucy) is a hamburger where the cheese is cooked inside the burger. ... Iron butterfly is also a name for an options-trading strategy. ... David Jackson, nicknamed Jaxon, is a British progressive rock saxophonist, flautist, and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator. ... Saxophones of different sizes play in different registers. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

A new sound was established, leaving behind the psychedelic influence of The Aerosol Grey Machine in favour of darker textures influenced by jazz and classical music. The Least We Can Do... was well received, and was swiftly followed by H to He, Who Am the Only One. Potter left mid-way through that recording, and the band decided to carry on without a bass guitarist, with Banton substituting with the organ's bass pedals. Robert Fripp of King Crimson contributed guitar on the song, "The Emperor in His War-Room". H to He, Who Am the Only One is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... Robert Fripp (born May 16, 1946 in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England) is a guitarist and a composer, perhaps best known for his founding role in the band King Crimson. ... King Crimson is an English musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. ...

Sleeve of Pawn Hearts (1971)

The Hammill/Banton/Jackson/Evans quartet that resulted from H to He is now considered the 'classic' line-up, and went on to record Pawn Hearts, which is considered by many to be their finest work. It contains just three tracks, "Lemmings", "Man-Erg" and the 23 minute concept piece "A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers" – very much in keeping with the times. Fripp again provided a cameo appearance on guitar. The album proved highly successful in Italy, topping the chart there for 12 weeks. They toured Italy for a while, but the shows were plagued by different extremist organisations from Red Brigade to neo-fascists. The band toured extensively from 1970 to 1972, but a lack of support from the record company and possibly also financial difficulties caused the band to implode and Hammill left to pursue a solo career. Image File history File links Pawnhearts. ... Image File history File links Pawnhearts. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1971 calendar). ... Pawn Hearts is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... Red Brigades (Brigate Rosse) is a terrorist group located in Italy. ... See also: other events of 1972 list of years in music 1970s in music // January 17 - Highway 51 South in Memphis, Tennessee is renamed Elvis Presley Blvd January 20 - Pink Floyd debuts Dark Side of the Moon during a performance at The Dome, in Brighton, but due to technical difficulties...

The three remaining members recorded an instrumental album with Nic Potter, Ced Curtis, and Piero Messina, under the name "The Long Hello". Their self-titled album (The Long Hello) was released in 1973. See also: other events of 1973 list of years in music 1970s in music // January 9 - Mick Jaggers request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug bust, putting an abrupt end to The Rolling Stones plans to tour the Orient. ...

First reunion 1975-1978

Hammill's split with the group was amicable, and Banton, Jackson and Evans, among others, all contributed to his solo work at various times. By 1975 the band were ready to work with each other again, and three new albums were recorded in just 12 months. The sessions were produced by the band themselves (all previous VdGG albums had been produced by John Anthony at Trident Studios), and displayed a somewhat tauter, more streamlined sound. Godbluff in particular saw Hammill making significant use of the Hohner clavinet keyboard. Still Life followed within the same year. See also: 1974 in music, other events of 1975, 1976 in music, 1970s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 2 - New York City U.S. District Court Judge Richard Owen rules that former Beatle John Lennon and his lawyers can have access to Department of... Godbluff is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... A clavinet is a keyboard instrument, manufactured by the Hohner company. ... Still Life is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ...

Following World Record, first Banton and then Jackson departed. Nic Potter returned, and in a typically eccentric move Banton was replaced by a violinist, Graham Smith. This line up produced the album The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome. The band also shortened its name to 'Van der Graaf'. After The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome only one more album was recorded, after Charles Dickie had joined the band on cello, the double live album Vital. When it was released, the band had split already, in the summer of 1978, again amicably. The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome was Van der Graaf Generators last studio album in the 1970s. ... The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome was Van der Graaf Generators last studio album in the 1970s. ... Vital is Van der Graaf Generators only live album. ... See also: other events of 1978 list of years in music 1970s in music // January 14 - The Sex Pistols played their final show (until a 1996 reunion) at San Franciscos Winterland Ballroom. ...

One album of 'new' material was released after the split. Time Vaults is a collection of out-takes and rehearsal recordings from the 1972–1975 hiatus. The sound quality varies from demo standard to very poor, however.

Second reunion, 2005

Banton, Jackson and Evans all made occasional appearances on Hammill's solo albums following the 1978 split, and the classic line-up also played occasionally together. In 1991, they played several songs at a fortieth birthday party for David Jackson's wife. In 1996, the quartet appeared on stage during a concert by Hammill and Evans at the Union Chapel in London to perform "Lemmings". In 2003, Banton, Jackson, and Evans joined with Hammill to perform the song "Still Life" at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Both of these latter appearances were unannounced to the audience in advance. Peter Hammill portrayed on the cover of his solo album None of the Above (2000). ... Guy Randolph Evans (born 17 June 1947 in Birmingham) is a British progressive rock drummer, percussionist and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator, and Subterraneans. ... See also: 2003 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2003 Record labels established in 2003 other events of 2003 list of years in music 2000s in music // January - following an investigation by The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry and London detectives, police raids in England and the Netherlands... The Queen Elizabeth Hall (QEH) is a music venue on the South Bank in London, which hosts daily classical, jazz, and avant-garde music and dance performances. ... London (pronounced ) is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. ...

Following the Queen Elizabeth Hall performance, discussions between the band members led to writing and rehearsal of new material in summer 2004. A double CD, Present, containing this material was released in April 2005. A reunion concert took place at the Royal Festival Hall, London, on 6 May 2005, followed by several European dates in the summer and autumn of 2005. The concert in Leverkusen, Germany on 5 November 2005 was filmed for a TV show ("Rockpalast") and was broadcast on January 15, 2006. See also: 2004 in music (UK) other events of 2004 list of years in music 2000s in music // January 1 Vienna New Years Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Vienna, conducted by Riccardo Muti Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol January 3 - Britney Spears marries Jason Allen Alexander, a... Present is an album by Van der Graaf Generator, released in 2005. ... April 2005 : ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December - → Hamas and Islamic Jihad have declared, in principle, their intention to join the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). ... The Royal Festival Hall is a concert, dance and talks venue within the South Bank Centre in London. ... May 6 is the 126th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (127th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 2005 in music (UK) 2005 in music (Switzerland) Musical groups established in 2005 Record labels established in 2005 Other events of 2005 List of years in music 2000s in music January 1 - In most of Europe, copyright expired on a number of classic pop and rock and roll... Leverkusen is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. ... January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ...

Peter Hammill stated in a December 2005 newsletter that there were no plans for further recordings or performances by the 'classic' VdGG line-up in the foreseeable future. However, Mojo magazine reported in July 2006 that the band would be reconvening for further live and studio work. In September 2006, Hammill announced [1] that the band would be continuing as a trio without Jackson.

Line-up

• Peter Hammill - guitar, piano/keyboard and vocals (1967-1978, 2005-)
• Hugh Banton - organ, bass pedals and bass guitar (1968-1976, 2005-)
• Guy Evans - drums (1968-1978, 2005-)

Peter Hammill portrayed on the cover of his solo album None of the Above (2000). ... Hugh Robert Banton (born 1948, is a British organist and organ builder, most widely known for his work with the group Van der Graaf Generator in the 1970s. ... Guy Randolph Evans (born 17 June 1947 in Birmingham) is a British progressive rock drummer, percussionist and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator, and Subterraneans. ...

Former members:

• David Jackson - saxophone and flute (1970-1977, 1978, 2005)
• Chris Judge Smith - drums and wind instruments (1967)
• Nick Pearne - organ (1967)
• Keith Ian Ellis - bass guitar (1968)
• Nic Potter - bass guitar (1970, 1977-1978)
• Graham Smith - violin (1977-1978)
• Charles Dickie - cello (1978)

David Jackson, nicknamed Jaxon, is a British progressive rock saxophonist, flautist, and composer, and a member of Van der Graaf Generator. ... Christopher John Judge Smith (born 1948 in England), is a songwriter, composer and performer, and a founder member of progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ...

Line-up timeline

• 1967: Peter Hammill, Nick Pearne, Chris Judge Smith
• 1968: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Hugh Banton, Keith Ian Ellis
• 1970: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Hugh Banton, David Jackson, Nic Potter
• 1970: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Hugh Banton, David Jackson
• 1975: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Hugh Banton, David Jackson
• 1977: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Nic Potter, Graham Smith
• 1978: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Nic Potter, Graham Smith, Charles Dickie, David Jackson
• 2005: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Hugh Banton, David Jackson
• 2006: Peter Hammill, Guy Evans, Hugh Banton

Discography

Studio albums

• The Aerosol Grey Machine (1969)
• The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other (1970)
• H to He, Who Am the Only One (1970)
• Pawn Hearts (1971)
• Godbluff (1975)
• Still Life (1976)
• World Record (1976)
• The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome (1977)
• Present (2005)

The Aerosol Grey Machine is the first album by the British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ... The least we can do is wave to each other is an album by the British progressive rock band Van der Graaf Generator. ... H to He, Who Am the Only One is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... Pawn Hearts is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... Godbluff is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... Still Life is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... World Record is an album by Van der Graaf Generator. ... The Quiet Zone/The Pleasure Dome was Van der Graaf Generators last studio album in the 1970s. ... Present is an album by Van der Graaf Generator, released in 2005. ...

Live albums

• Vital (1978)
• Maida Vale (BBC sessions) (1994)

Vital is Van der Graaf Generators only live album. ...

Compilations

• 68-71 (1972)
• Repeat Performance (1980)
• Time Vaults (out-takes 1972-75) (1982)
• First Generation (1986)
• Second Generation (1986)
• Now and Then (unofficial compilation of instrumental tracks from the band minus Hammill) (1988)
• I Prophesy Disaster (1993)
• The Box (4 disc box set including rare live & session material) (2000)
• An Introduction (2000)

Videography

• Masters From the Vaults (Belgian TV session, March 1972) (2003) (DVD) (incorrectly labelled on the DVD as having been in 1971)
• Godbluff Live (Live in Charleroi 1975 + the same Belgian session) (2003) (DVD)
• Inside VdGG (includes the two mentioned above + Beat Club 1970) (2005) (DVD)

External links

• Peter Hammill's official site
• Unofficial VdGG fan site
• David Jackson's official site
• Nic Potter's official site
• Van der Graaf Generator on Progboard: Van der Graaf Generator albums reviews and ratings
• See their discography at Music City
• Van der Graaf Generator family tree
• Russian Peter Hammill and Van der Graaf Generator Page
• Portuguese Van der Graaf Page
• PH-VdGG Study Group (Italy)
• Trouser Press entry

References

• Christopulos, J. & Smart, P. (2005) 'Van der Graaf Generator - The Book' (Published by "Phil and Jim") ISBN 09551337

• PH-VdGG Study Group, Fiaccavento L., Olivotto M. (2005) 'Van der Graaf Generator - Dark Figures Running - Lyrics 1968-1978' (Published by PH-VdGG Study Group [2])