Van Der Graaf Generator
One of the most intense and extreme groups of the 70s Prog Rock
era, Van Der Graaf Generator were ever on the verge of collapse.
Constant tensions were caused by trying to steer what drummer Guy
Evans cheerfully calls the "impossible, unstable entity"
into a marketable situation.
Whereas much Prog Rock eventually turned showbiz, VDGG were
notoriously unpredictable and uncompromising - one of the few
groups of their era to be praised when punk broke (notably by John
Lydon of The Sex Pistols).
Formed at Manchester University in 1967, VDGG used jazz,
classical influences and heavy rock riffing to terrorize their
listeners, while Peter Hammill's lyrics of occult dread scared
early bassist Nic Potter into quitting. After making dangerous,
divisive albums and getting big in Italy, the band split up,
re-formed to make more dangerous, divisive albums and finally
bowed out in 1978.
Endorsements from celebrity fans like Julian Cope, film
director Anthony Minghella and John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili
Peppers prompted VDGG to re-form again in 2005.
Fans from 27 countries bought tickets for their concert at
London's Royal Festival Hall, which sold out on word of mouth
before it was even advertised. The band continue to record and
perform sporadically.
This prog rock group was principally centred around
keyboardist, composer and vocalist Peter Hammill. With
floating personnel which changed from album to album, and "sound
paintings" that varied from heavy-handed to
sombre, Van Der Graaf Generator was cited by some British punk
bands as a seminal influence. VDGG have continued recording and
performing live - since 2005 as a trio )of Peter Hammill, Hugh
Banton and Guy Evans) 
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