Van der Graaf Generator

Van der Graaf Generator is Peter Hammill (vox, gtr, kbd), Hugh Banton (organ, bass), and Guy Evans (drums, percussion), the three surviving members of the 1968 original lineup. The band formed in 1967 at Manchester University with Hammill, Nick Pearne, and Chris Judge Smith. In 1968, they replaced Pearne with Banton and added bassist Keith Ellis and drummer Guy Evans. They released a single and supported Jimi Hendrix, but briefly broke up in 1969. Hammill's solo album, 'The Aerosol Grey Machine,' became the first VdGG album with Banton, Evans, and Ellis as session musicians. Signed to Charisma Records in 1970, VdGG released some tracks with Nic Potter replacing Ellis and David Jackson on saxophones/flute. After Potter's departure, the Hammill/Banton/Jackson/Evans quartet—the "classic" lineup—recorded 'Pawn Hearts' (1971), a highly successful album in Italy. Extensive touring led to burnout, and the band dissolved in 1972. VdGG reunited in 1975, recorded some more, before Banton and Jackson left in 1976, replaced by Nic Potter and Graham Smith. This lineup went on to record more, but split again by 1978. A second reunion occurred in 2005, following a 2003 performance. 'Present' was released, and a reunion concert at the Royal Festival Hall was documented on 'Real Time.' In 2006, with David Jackson's departure, VdGG continued as a trio, forging new material. Their 2010 album, 'A Grounding in Numbers,' mixed by Hugh Padgham, solidified their status as a forward-thinking, modern band.

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