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[[File:Van der Graaf Generator - An Epidemic of Father Xmas|thumb|right|335 px|An Epidemic of Father Christmasses ([[Top Gear]] session, first broadcast [[29 December 1971]]).]]
 
[[File:Van der Graaf Generator - An Epidemic of Father Xmas|thumb|right|335 px|An Epidemic of Father Christmasses ([[Top Gear]] session, first broadcast [[29 December 1971]]).]]
   
Van der Graaf Generator are an English [[Progressive rock|progressive rock]] band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriter [[Peter Hammill]] and Chris Judge Smith and the first act signed by Charisma Records. They did not experience much commercial success in the UK, but became popular in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 the band reformed, and continue to perform as of 2013. (Read more at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_Graaf_Generator Wikipedia].)
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'''Van der Graaf Generator''' are an English [[Progressive rock|progressive rock]] band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriter [[Peter Hammill]] and Chris Judge Smith and the first act signed by Charisma Records. They did not experience much commercial success in the UK, but became popular in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 the band reformed, and are still active. (Read more at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_der_Graaf_Generator Wikipedia].)
   
 
== Links to Peel ==
 
== Links to Peel ==
  +
[[File:V is for... Van De Graaff Generator|thumb|330x330px]]
 
Peel's admiration for Van Der Graaf Generator is clear from the fact that they did eight sessions for his shows between 1968 and 1977, as well as two In Concert shows in 1970 and 1971. In their early days, band members visited the DJ at his London flat, leading him to give them a namecheck in a November 1968 column for [[Disc and Music Echo]];
 
Peel's admiration for Van Der Graaf Generator is clear from the fact that they did eight sessions for his shows between 1968 and 1977, as well as two In Concert shows in 1970 and 1971. In their early days, band members visited the DJ at his London flat, leading him to give them a namecheck in a November 1968 column for [[Disc and Music Echo]];
   
 
<blockquote>''... Van der Graaf Generator: They seem to have disappeared briefly. Two of them (perhaps there are only two) came and sang songs for an hour on the floor of Peel Acres some months ago and made a week a lot easier. If they ever reappear, pay attention. ...''[http://www.fuzzlogic.com/vdgg/a-0006.htm]</blockquote>
 
<blockquote>''... Van der Graaf Generator: They seem to have disappeared briefly. Two of them (perhaps there are only two) came and sang songs for an hour on the floor of Peel Acres some months ago and made a week a lot easier. If they ever reappear, pay attention. ...''[http://www.fuzzlogic.com/vdgg/a-0006.htm]</blockquote>
   
Peel also continued to play tracks by them long after he had stopped featuring most other progressive era groups, and also included sessions and tracks by VDGG leader Peter Hammill after the band split up. It is likely that he was attracted to the band's dissonant, often harsh-sounding music due its radical difference from mainstream prog rock At times VDGG's work resembled the music of his hero Captain Beefheart, and lead singer Peter Hammill had what Peel called an "extreme voice."
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Peel also continued to play tracks by them long after he had stopped featuring most other progressive era groups, and also included sessions and tracks by VDGG frontman [[Peter Hammill]] after the band split up. It is likely that he was attracted to the band's dissonant, often harsh-sounding music due to its radical difference from mainstream prog rock. Peel was also intrigued by the singing of Hammill, who had what the DJ called an "extreme voice".
 
tbc......
 
   
 
== Festive Fifty Entries ==
 
== Festive Fifty Entries ==
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== Sessions ==
 
== Sessions ==
   
Eight sessions. Official releases:<br />
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Eight sessions. Official releases:
- #5, #6, #7 on [http://www.discogs.com/Van-Der-Graaf-Generator-Maida-Vale/master/183063 Maida Vale / Maida Vale BBC Sessions] (CD, 1994 / 1998, Band Of Joy / Strange Fruit).<br />
 
- #2 and tracks from #1 and #4 on [http://www.discogs.com/Van-Der-Graaf-Generator-The-Box/release/495460 The Box] '(4xCD, 2000, Virgin).<br />
 
- #7 on [http://www.discogs.com/Van-Der-Graaf-Generator-World-Record/release/939194 World Record] (CD reissue, 2005, Virgin).
 
   
  +
- #1 on "[https://www.discogs.com/it/Van-Der-Graaf-Generator-The-Aerosol-Grey-Machine/release/13593347 The Aerosol Grey Machine (50th Anniversary Limited Edition)] " (2019, Esoteric Recordings)
1. Recorded 1968-11-18. First broadcast [[29 December 1968]]. Repeated
 
*People You Were Going Too / Afterwards / Necromancer / Octopus
 
   
 
- #2 and tracks from #1, #4 and #8 on "[http://www.discogs.com/Van-Der-Graaf-Generator-The-Box/release/495460 The Box](4xCD, 2000, Virgin).
2. Recorded 1970-01-27. First broadcast [[07 February 1970]]. Repeated
 
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​​​​​​- #5, #6, #7 on "[http://www.discogs.com/Van-Der-Graaf-Generator-Maida-Vale/master/183063 Maida Vale / Maida Vale BBC Sessions] " (CD, 1994 / 1998, Band Of Joy / Strange Fruit). #7 also on the 2005 Virgin reissue of "[http://www.discogs.com/Van-Der-Graaf-Generator-World-Record/release/939194 World Record]" as bonus tracks.
  +
  +
- Tracks from all sessions except #3 on "[http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/van-der-graaf-generator-after-the-flood-at-the-bbc-1968-1977/ After The Flood: At The BBC 1968-1977] " (2xCD, 2015, Universal).<br />
  +
 
1. Recorded 1968-11-18. First broadcast[[29 December 1968]]. Repeated: [[09 February 1969]].
 
*People You Were Going To / Afterwards / Necromancer / Octopus
  +
 
2. Recorded 1970-01-27. First broadcast[[07 February 1970]].
 
*Darkness / After The Flood
 
*Darkness / After The Flood
   
3. Recorded 1970-10-12. First broadcast [[24 October 1970]]. Repeated
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3. Recorded 1970-10-12. First broadcast[[24 October 1970]].
 
*Lost / Killer
 
*Lost / Killer
   
4. Recorded 1971-12-14. First broadcast [[29 December 1971]]. Repeated [[15 February 1972]].
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4. Recorded 1971-12-14. First broadcast[[29 December 1971]]. Repeated[[15 February 1972]].
*An Epidemic Of Father Christmasses / Lemmings / Refugees
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*An Epidemic Of Father Christmases / Lemmings / Refugees
   
5. Recorded 1975-07-03. First broadcast [[10 July 1975]]. Repeated
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5. Recorded 1975-07-03. First broadcast[[10 July 1975]].
 
*Scorched Earth / Sleepwalkers
 
*Scorched Earth / Sleepwalkers
   
6. Recorded 1976-04-01. First broadcast [[20 April 1976]]. Repeated
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6. Recorded 1976-04-01. First broadcast[[20 April 1976]].
 
*Still Life / La Rossa
 
*Still Life / La Rossa
   
7. Recorded 1976-11-11. First broadcast [[22 November 1976]]. Repeated
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7. Recorded 1976-11-11. First broadcast[[22 November 1976]]. 
 
*When She Comes / Masks
 
*When She Comes / Masks
   
8. Recorded 1977-10-24. First broadcast [[02 November 1977]]. Repeated
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8. Recorded 1977-10-24. First broadcast[[02 November 1977]]. 
 
*(Fragments Of) A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers/Sleepwalker's End / Cat's Eye/Yellow Fever (Running) / The Sphinx In The Face
 
*(Fragments Of) A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers/Sleepwalker's End / Cat's Eye/Yellow Fever (Running) / The Sphinx In The Face
 
(Please correct mistakes and add any missing info)
 
   
 
== Live ==
 
== Live ==
   
*[[02 August 1970]] Sunday Concert show, recording date and venue details unknown
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*[[02 August 1970]] Sunday Concert show, recording date and venue details unknown - No commercial release.
 
#Killer
 
#Killer
 
#Whatever Would Robert Have Said
 
#Whatever Would Robert Have Said
 
#Squid1-Squid2-Octopus
 
#Squid1-Squid2-Octopus
   
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*[[05 October 1971]]: In Concert, recorded 1971-09-23, venue unknown - First three tracks released <span style="font-size:14px;line-height:22px;">on </span>[http://www.superdeluxeedition.com/news/van-der-graaf-generator-after-the-flood-at-the-bbc-1968-1977/ After The Flood: At The BBC 1968-1977]<span style="font-size:14px;line-height:22px;"> (2xCD, 2015, Universal)</span>
*[[05 October 1971]]: In Concert, recorded 1971-09-23, venue unknown
 
 
#Man-Erg
 
#Man-Erg
 
#W
 
#W
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;1975
 
;1975
*[[D011]] (1975, unknown date): Scorched Earth (LP - Godbluff) Charisma
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*[[J P D34]]: The Sleepwalkers (LP - Godbluff) Charisma
   
 
;1976
 
;1976
*[[27 April 1976]]: Still Life LP (side 1).
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*[[27 April 1976]]: Still Life LP (side 1)
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*[[03 September 1976]]: A Place To Survive (LP - World Record) Charisma
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*[[11 October 1976]]: When She Comes (LP - World Record) Charisma
   
 
;1978
 
;1978
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;1981
 
;1981
 
*[[02 June 1981]]: Refugees (LP - The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other) Charisma
 
*[[02 June 1981]]: Refugees (LP - The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other) Charisma
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  +
;1982
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*[[14 February 1982 (BFBS)]]: People You Were Going To (7") Poldor
   
 
;1991
 
;1991
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;1993
 
;1993
 
*[[24 September 1993]]: Refugees (album - I Prophesy Disaster) Virgin Universal
 
*[[24 September 1993]]: Refugees (album - I Prophesy Disaster) Virgin Universal
*[[08 October 1993]]: Refugees (single version)
 
 
*[[08 October 1993 (BFBS)]]: Refugees (comp album - I Prophecy Disaster) Virgin
 
*[[08 October 1993 (BFBS)]]: Refugees (comp album - I Prophecy Disaster) Virgin
   
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*[[Peter Hammill]]
 
*[[Peter Hammill]]
 
*[[Gigography 1969]]
 
*[[Gigography 1969]]
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*[[ABC Of Beauty]]
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*[[Sounds Playlist]]
   
 
== External Links ==
 
== External Links ==

Revision as of 21:33, 26 May 2020

Van_der_Graaf_Generator_-_An_Epidemic_of_Father_Xmas

Van der Graaf Generator - An Epidemic of Father Xmas

An Epidemic of Father Christmasses (Top Gear session, first broadcast 29 December 1971).

Van der Graaf Generator are an English progressive rock band, formed in 1967 in Manchester by singer-songwriter Peter Hammill and Chris Judge Smith and the first act signed by Charisma Records. They did not experience much commercial success in the UK, but became popular in Italy during the 1970s. In 2005 the band reformed, and are still active. (Read more at Wikipedia.)

Links to Peel

V_is_for..._Van_De_Graaff_Generator

V is for... Van De Graaff Generator

Peel's admiration for Van Der Graaf Generator is clear from the fact that they did eight sessions for his shows between 1968 and 1977, as well as two In Concert shows in 1970 and 1971. In their early days, band members visited the DJ at his London flat, leading him to give them a namecheck in a November 1968 column for Disc and Music Echo;

... Van der Graaf Generator: They seem to have disappeared briefly. Two of them (perhaps there are only two) came and sang songs for an hour on the floor of Peel Acres some months ago and made a week a lot easier. If they ever reappear, pay attention. ...[1]

Peel also continued to play tracks by them long after he had stopped featuring most other progressive era groups, and also included sessions and tracks by VDGG frontman Peter Hammill after the band split up. It is likely that he was attracted to the band's dissonant, often harsh-sounding music due to its radical difference from mainstream prog rock. Peel was also intrigued by the singing of Hammill, who had what the DJ called an "extreme voice".

Festive Fifty Entries

  • None.

Sessions

Eight sessions. Official releases:

- #1 on "The Aerosol Grey Machine (50th Anniversary Limited Edition) " (2019, Esoteric Recordings)

- #2 and tracks from #1, #4 and #8 on "The Box" (4xCD, 2000, Virgin).

​​​​​​- #5, #6, #7 on "Maida Vale / Maida Vale BBC Sessions " (CD, 1994 / 1998, Band Of Joy / Strange Fruit). #7 also on the 2005 Virgin reissue of "World Record" as bonus tracks.

- Tracks from all sessions except #3 on "After The Flood: At The BBC 1968-1977 " (2xCD, 2015, Universal).

1. Recorded 1968-11-18. First broadcast: 29 December 1968. Repeated: 09 February 1969.

  • People You Were Going To / Afterwards / Necromancer / Octopus

2. Recorded 1970-01-27. First broadcast: 07 February 1970.

  • Darkness / After The Flood

3. Recorded 1970-10-12. First broadcast: 24 October 1970.

  • Lost / Killer

4. Recorded 1971-12-14. First broadcast: 29 December 1971. Repeated: 15 February 1972.

  • An Epidemic Of Father Christmases / Lemmings / Refugees

5. Recorded 1975-07-03. First broadcast: 10 July 1975.

  • Scorched Earth / Sleepwalkers

6. Recorded 1976-04-01. First broadcast: 20 April 1976.

  • Still Life / La Rossa

7. Recorded 1976-11-11. First broadcast: 22 November 1976

  • When She Comes / Masks

8. Recorded 1977-10-24. First broadcast: 02 November 1977

  • (Fragments Of) A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers/Sleepwalker's End / Cat's Eye/Yellow Fever (Running) / The Sphinx In The Face

Live

  • 02 August 1970 Sunday Concert show, recording date and venue details unknown - No commercial release.
  1. Killer
  2. Whatever Would Robert Have Said
  3. Squid1-Squid2-Octopus
  1. Man-Erg
  2. W
  3. Killer
  4. Theme One/March Of The Dambusters

Other Shows Played

(The following list was compiled only from the database of this site and is far from complete. Please add more information if known.)

1970
  • 28 March 1970: Refugees (LP - The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other) Charisma
  • 11 April 1970: Darkness (LP - The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other) Charisma
  • 30 May 1970: Refugees (LP – The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other) Charisma
1972
1975
  • J P D34: The Sleepwalkers (LP - Godbluff) Charisma
1976
1978
1979
1980
  • 09 September 1980: Refugees (unknown release but possibly the 1980 UK rerelease of Repeat Performance) Charisma
1981
  • 02 June 1981: Refugees (LP - The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other) Charisma
1982
1991
1993

See Also

External Links