Peter Hammill is one of those true English originals who can’t be confined to a particular style or era. He co-founded Van Der Graaf Generator at the height of psychedelia in 1967, with the band going on to become one of the few progressive rock acts embraced by the punks – both Mark E Smith and John Lydon have cited Hammill as a key influence, thanks to the idiosyncrasy and intensity of his delivery. David Bowie and Bruce Dickinson were also big fans.
Peter Hammill is one of those true English originals who can’t be confined to a particular style or era. He co-founded Van Der Graaf Generator at the height of psychedelia in 1967, with the band going on to become one of the few progressive rock acts embraced by the punks – both Mark E Smith and John Lydon have cited Hammill as a key influence, thanks to the idiosyncrasy and intensity of his delivery. David Bowie and Bruce Dickinson were also big fans.
Alongside a catalogue of 13 or so unique and formidable VdGG albums, Hammill has pursued a fascinating solo career, much of which is in the process of being reissued. A box set of The Charisma & Virgin Recordings (1971-1986) came out last year, soon to be followed by A Headlong Stretch: The Fie! Albums 1992-1996. And Proper/Universal will be be releasing vinyl reissues of Hammill’s first eight solo albums, starting with Fool’s Mate and Chameleon In The Shadow Of The Night in April.
Of course, there was also the Edgar Allan Poe opera and the song about Tintagel on Play Away, among many other adventures. So, what do you want to want to ask a knight of the underground table? Send your questions to uncut.ed@kelsey.co.uk (please note the new email address) and Peter will answer the best ones in a future issue of Uncut.
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