Peter Hammill

Peter Hammill was leader, singer, and songwriter of British progressive rock band Van Der Graaf Generator. They did not use guitar as a main instrument; mostly voice, drums, bass, and saxophone and/or violin. Peter also recorded a number of solo albums. 

VDGG, unlike King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, and other more well-known prog-rock bands, was a more ‘difficult listen’, with melodies often being elusive. One reviewer even described Peter Hammill as sounding like David Bowie on bad acid - sometimes not entirely incorrect, and that goes for lyrics, too - Peter Hammill is intense! 

But he’s been at it for many decades now, and I’m glad that he is. I took these at a show with just him and violinist Graham Smith at the Old Waldorf nightclub in San Francisco….

 

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Old Waldorf, San Francisco, 03/16/79

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