Van der Graaf Generator Tribute Site

1967 Peter Joseph Andrew Hammill (b. 1948) met Christopher John Judge Smith and Nick Pearn at Manchester University, where all were students. Deciding to form a band, they adopted the name of Van der Graaf Generator as a tribute to Robert Jamison Van de Graaff (1901-1967), whod had just passed american physicist who had invented an electrostatic accelerator (the "Van der Graaff Generator").

After a few gigs, one of which was openning for Tyrannosauros Rex, the band signed a contract with Mercury Records.

1968 Hugh Robert Banton, a classical trained and church organist, replaced Nick Pearn, who continued his university studies. Tony Stratton-Smith began to manage the band.

After recruiting a drummer, Guy Randolph Evans, and a bass player, Keith Ian Ellis (who was playing for "The Koobas", another group managed by Stratton-Smith), Van der Graaf Generator recorded their first single, People You Were Going To / Firebrand (Polydor 56758).

Following the single's release, Chris Smith went off the group to enter to "Heebalob". A few weeks later, after supporting Jimi Hendrix at the Royal Albert Hall, Van der Graaf suffered an equipment robbery and a lack of scheduled gigs.

1969 Intending to record a Hammill solo album, Van der Graaf reformed with Peter, Hugh, Guy and Keith. The results were the single Afterwards / Necromancer (Mercury 72979) and the album The Aerosol Grey Machine (Mercury, SR 61238).

Keith Ellis left to join "Juicy Lucy" and was replaced by Nic Porter, an acquaintance of Guy Evans from "Misunderstood". Meanwhile Peter invited David Jackson to enter to Van der Graaf, after being auditioned. The reformed line up entered the studio in middle December after signing a contract with Charisma Records, a new label founder by their manager, Tony Stratton-Smith. The material which was recorded would be released next year as The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other album (Charisma, CAS 1007).

1970 Van der Graaf did an intensive tour in the United Kingdom to promote the new album. Meanwhile the single Refugees / The Boat of Millions of Years (Charisma CB 122) was released, featuring a new track and a different version of "Refugees" included in the album.

During the recording sessions for a new LP, issued as H To He Who Am The Only One (Charisma Records, CAS 1027), Nick left the band. The bass part for the remaining tracks would be played by Hugh. Robert Fripp appeared as guest guitarist.

1971 With the same line up, the band toured Britain and the Continent. Meanwhile Peter recorded his first album, Fool's Mate, with the participation of all members of the band. A few months later, Pawn Hearts (Charisma Records, CAS 1051), the new Van der Graaf album was recorded also. Fripp was invited againto participate.

1972 After performing live 'till exhaustion, especially in Italy, and feeling their music was becoming unsupportedly complex, Van der Graaf disbanded. The first step belonged to Peter. He needed some time to spare.

Manager Stratton-Smith decided to release 68-71 (Charisma CS 2), the band's first compilation album, which included some unreleased tracks.

1973 Peter Hammill resumed his solo career, recording Chameleon in the Shadow of the Night (Charisma, CAS 1067). Nic, Guy, David and Hugh collaborated in the project and some of them toured with Peter.

Meanwhile, in August, the other members went to Wales to record an album without their ex-front man. It would be released two years later, in Italy, under the name of Long Hello (United Artists Italy 29718)

1974 The first book written by Peter, Angels, Killers, Refugees, was published in London by Charisma Books.

Hammill returned with his friends to various studios to record three more albums The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage (Charisma CAS 1083), In Camera (Charisma CAS 1089) and Nadir's Big Chance (Charisma CAS 1089). The last one would be released next year.

1975 By request of many enthusiasts and promoters, Van der Graaf Generator reformed again with their 'classical' line-up - Peter, Hugh, Guy and Dave - and in May went to France for a tour. Back in Britain they recorded a new album, Godbluff (Charisma CAS 1109). It was the beginning of great period of activity.

1976 The band continued to tour Europe intensively and went for the first time to the USA, in October, for performing a few gigs. Meanwhile the band went back to studios to complete the Still Life sessions (Charisma CAS 1116), which had begun the previous year, and for recording a new LP, World Record (Charisma CAS 1120). In the same month, June, Peter invited Guy, Nick Porter and Graham Smith, ex-'String Driven Thing' violinist, for recording another solo album, Over (CAS 1125)

1977 Hugh and David quit and were replaced by the two guests of Peter's solo: Graham Smith and Nick. With a new line-up, the band decided to adopt a shorter name: Van der Graaf.

In May and June, between lots of gigs in Europe, they recorded a new album, The Quite Zone / The Pleasure Dome, (Charisma CAS 1131). Jackson was invited to 'insert' his sax and flute.

1978 With a new member, Charles Dickie, a cello and keyboard player and with David as guest once more, the band gave a memorable concert at the Marquee, London, in January the 16th. The gig was recorded and released as Vital / Van der Graaf Live (Charisma CVLD 101), the band's first live album.

Keith Ellis died in Germany while touring with Iron Butterfly.

Between March and early May, Hammill recorded The Future Now (CAS 1137), another solo album, with Graham and David participating. After a two month European tour, May-June, Van der Graaf split for the final time.

From now on, Hammill would pursue a solo career, recording and touring with one or two ex-band members.

1991 Accidental reunion of the band's classic personnel during Sue Jackson's birthday party. It seems they played "House With No Door", "Sleepwalkers", "Still Life", "Refugees" and "Arrow".

1996 Another reunion of Peter, Hugh, Dave, Guy and many others at the Union Chapel, London, November the 3rd. Their performances were recorded and released next year as The Union Chapel Concert (FIE! Records B483650)

1967	Peter Joseph Andrew Hammill (b. 1948) met Christopher John Judge Smith and Nick Pearn at Manchester University, where all were students. Deciding to form a band, they adopted the name of Van der Graaf Generator as a tribute to Robert Jamison Van de Graaff (1901-1967), whod had just passed american physicist who had invented an electrostatic accelerator (the "Van der Graaff Generator").
	After a few gigs, one of which was openning for Tyrannosauros Rex, the band signed a contract with Mercury Records.
1968	Hugh Robert Banton, a classical trained and church organist, replaced Nick Pearn, who continued his university studies. Tony Stratton-Smith began to manage the band.
	After recruiting a drummer, Guy Randolph Evans, and a bass player, Keith Ian Ellis (who was playing for "The Koobas", another group managed by Stratton-Smith), Van der Graaf Generator recorded their first single, People You Were Going To / Firebrand (Polydor 56758).
	Following the single's release, Chris Smith went off the group to enter to "Heebalob". A few weeks later, after supporting Jimi Hendrix at the Royal Albert Hall, Van der Graaf suffered an equipment robbery and a lack of scheduled gigs.
1969	Intending to record a Hammill solo album, Van der Graaf reformed with Peter, Hugh, Guy and Keith. The results were the single Afterwards / Necromancer (Mercury 72979) and the album The Aerosol Grey Machine (Mercury, SR 61238).
	Keith Ellis left to join "Juicy Lucy" and was replaced by Nic Porter, an acquaintance of Guy Evans from "Misunderstood". Meanwhile Peter invited David Jackson to enter to Van der Graaf, after being auditioned. The reformed line up entered the studio in middle December after signing a contract with Charisma Records, a new label founder by their manager, Tony Stratton-Smith. The material which was recorded would be released next year as The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other album (Charisma, CAS 1007).
1970	Van der Graaf did an intensive tour in the United Kingdom to promote the new album. Meanwhile the single Refugees / The Boat of Millions of Years (Charisma CB 122) was released, featuring a new track and a different version of "Refugees" included in the album.
	During the recording sessions for a new LP, issued as H To He Who Am The Only One (Charisma Records, CAS 1027), Nick left the band. The bass part for the remaining tracks would be played by Hugh. Robert Fripp appeared as guest guitarist.
1971	With the same line up, the band toured Britain and the Continent. Meanwhile Peter recorded his first album, Fool's Mate, with the participation of all members of the band. A few months later, Pawn Hearts (Charisma Records, CAS 1051), the new Van der Graaf album was recorded also. Fripp was invited againto participate.
1972	After performing live 'till exhaustion, especially in Italy, and feeling their music was becoming unsupportedly complex, Van der Graaf disbanded. The first step belonged to Peter. He needed some time to spare.
	Manager Stratton-Smith decided to release 68-71 (Charisma CS 2), the band's first compilation album, which included some unreleased tracks.
1973	Peter Hammill resumed his solo career, recording Chameleon in the Shadow of the Night (Charisma, CAS 1067). Nic, Guy, David and Hugh collaborated in the project and some of them toured with Peter.
	Meanwhile, in August, the other members went to Wales to record an album without their ex-front man. It would be released two years later, in Italy, under the name of Long Hello (United Artists Italy 29718)
1974	The first book written by Peter, Angels, Killers, Refugees, was published in London by Charisma Books.
	Hammill returned with his friends to various studios to record three more albums The Silent Corner and the Empty Stage (Charisma CAS 1083), In Camera (Charisma CAS 1089) and Nadir's Big Chance (Charisma CAS 1089). The last one would be released next year.
1975	By request of many enthusiasts and promoters, Van der Graaf Generator reformed again with their 'classical' line-up - Peter, Hugh, Guy and Dave - and in May went to France for a tour. Back in Britain they recorded a new album, Godbluff (Charisma CAS 1109). It was the beginning of great period of activity.
1976	The band continued to tour Europe intensively and went for the first time to the USA, in October, for performing a few gigs. Meanwhile the band went back to studios to complete the Still Life sessions (Charisma CAS 1116), which had begun the previous year, and for recording a new LP, World Record (Charisma CAS 1120). In the same month, June, Peter invited Guy, Nick Porter and Graham Smith, ex-'String Driven Thing' violinist, for recording another solo album, Over (CAS 1125)
1977	Hugh and David quit and were replaced by the two guests of Peter's solo: Graham Smith and Nick. With a new line-up, the band decided to adopt a shorter name: Van der Graaf.
	In May and June, between lots of gigs in Europe, they recorded a new album, The Quite Zone / The Pleasure Dome, (Charisma CAS 1131). Jackson was invited to 'insert' his sax and flute.
1978	With a new member, Charles Dickie, a cello and keyboard player and with David as guest once more, the band gave a memorable concert at the Marquee, London, in January the 16th. The gig was recorded and released as Vital / Van der Graaf Live (Charisma CVLD 101), the band's first live album.
	Keith Ellis died in Germany while touring with Iron Butterfly.
	Between March and early May, Hammill recorded The Future Now (CAS 1137), another solo album, with Graham and David participating. After a two month European tour, May-June, Van der Graaf split for the final time.
	From now on, Hammill would pursue a solo career, recording and touring with one or two ex-band members.
1991	Accidental reunion of the band's classic personnel during Sue Jackson's birthday party. It seems they played "House With No Door", "Sleepwalkers", "Still Life", "Refugees" and "Arrow".
1996	Another reunion of Peter, Hugh, Dave, Guy and many others at the Union Chapel, London, November the 3rd. Their performances were recorded and released next year as The Union Chapel Concert (FIE! Records B483650)