British Tour November 1976
Notes Programme

THE only part of a band's life normally seen be the audience is its performance on stage, and the only other informational access is that pertaining to band members in interviews and biographies. However, life goes on in many other areas outside these parameters and involves a good many more people than those actually playing; these - "the cast of thousands" - habitually receive credit, if they do so at all, only in crypto-informational album notes.           This programme offers us a unique opportunity to redress the balance by presenting some of the people without whom we would be hard-pressed to survive, let alone play. Some are more important than others, obviously; some will not be with us on this tour, and others for no more than its duration. However, all are vital, and all play their parts. As for ourselves we have included a brief history of recent events in the band's life, and restricted ourselves, in terms of information about selves, to that. Those of you who already know something about us would only find superfluidity in anything more we might include, while to those who do not we should address ourselves primarily as musicians and purveyors of music; as a band rather than as individuals, and in the played and sung, rather than the written, note. That, after all, is why we are here; and here we are - another concert, another unique event. Not only those behind the scenes whom we have spotlighted here have parts to play, but also you.           This concert, however it is, whatever songs we play will only exist here in this hall tonight. The event is only for us, for the crew, and for you - the composite of all the humanities here gathered. For tonight at least you the audience - as group and as individual - are part of the life of Van der Graaf. Be part; enjoy; above all, hopefully, be and stay open in heart and mind and spirit.

Peter Hammill