Artist page · 28/06/2026

Van der Graaf Generator

ManchesterFormed in 1967Prog Rock9 vinyl albums
Van der Graaf Generator began in Manchester in 1967, pioneering a distinctive progressive rock style blending art rock and experimental sounds over an initial decade long career.
Explore the discography The 3 must-haves
9Albums on Vinyles.com
877Discogs releases
294kLast.fm listeners

About

Ten key vinyl LPs tracked, with original pressings from Charisma and Mercury favored by collectors.

Emerging from the UK progressive rock scene, Van der Graaf Generator is noted for its complex compositions and intense instrumentation. The band formed in 1967, initially experimenting with a psychedelic tone before refining a darker, jazz- and classical-influenced sound throughout their 1970-1978 peak period. Key members included Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton, and David Jackson. After disbanding in 1978, the band reunited in later years, continuing to tour and release new material. Their catalog includes albums remastered and reissued on vinyl, preserving their legacy within the vinyl collector community.

Recorded at studios mainly in London and Manchester, their work on labels like Charisma and Mercury produced vinyl sought after by collectors, with prices monitored in real-time.

Discography

Van der Graaf Generator discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Live At Rockpalast - Leverkusen 2005MIG · 2018
2018
Live At Rockpalast - Leverkusen 2005
DVD, DVD-Video, Album, Stereo, CD
Live
Do Not DisturbEsoteric Antenna · 2016
2016
Do Not Disturb
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Merlin AtmosEsoteric Antenna · 2015
2015
Merlin Atmos
CD, Album, Limited Edition
Studio
AltEsoteric Antenna · 2012
2012
Alt
CD, Album
Studio
A Grounding In NumbersEsoteric Recordings · 2011
2011
A Grounding In Numbers
CD, Album
Studio
Live At The Paradiso 14:04:07Voiceprint · 2009
2009
Live At The Paradiso 14:04:07
CD, Album
Live
TrisectorVirgin · 2008
2008
Trisector
CD, Album
Studio
Real Time (Royal Festival Hall)Fie! Records · 2007
2007
Real Time (Royal Festival Hall)
CD, Album, Stereo
Studio
PresentEMI · 2005
2005
Present
CD, Album, Copy Protected
Studio
Maida ValeBand Of Joy · 1994
1994
Maida Vale
CD, Album
Studio
Time VaultsSofa Sound · 1981
1981
Time Vaults
Cassette, Album
Studio
VitalCharisma · 1978
1978
Vital
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Quiet Zone / The Pleasure DomeCharisma · 1977
1977
The Quiet Zone / The Pleasure Dome
Vinyl, LP, Album, Misprint
Studio
Still LifeCharisma · 1976
1976
Still Life
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
World RecordCharisma · 1976
1976
World Record
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
GodbluffCharisma · 1975
1975
Godbluff
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Pawn HeartsCharisma · 1971
1971
Pawn Hearts
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
H To He Who Am The Only OneCharisma · 1970
1970
H To He Who Am The Only One
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each OtherCharisma · 1970
1970
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
The Aerosol Grey MachineMercury · 1969
1969
The Aerosol Grey Machine
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Van der Graaf Generator's career.

01
Killer
Killer
H To He Who Am The Only One · 1970
02
Man-Erg
Man-Erg
Pawn Hearts · 1971
03
House With No Door
House With No Door
H To He Who Am The Only One · 1970
04
Refugees
Refugees
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other · 1970
05
Lemmings (Including Cog)
Lemmings (Including Cog)
Pawn Hearts · 1971
06
Scorched Earth
Scorched Earth
Godbluff · 1975
07
The Undercover Man
The Undercover Man
Godbluff · 1975
08
Pilgrims
Pilgrims
Still Life · 1976

The essentials

The 3 Van der Graaf Generator albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1975
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Godbluff

A pivotal 1975 release marking a sonic refinement with four tracks blending prog and art rock, renowned for Hammill's electric guitar work replacing piano.

4 tracksStereoCharisma labelOriginal 1975 pressing available
Discover the album
#2 · 1971
Vinyl, LP, Album
Pawn Hearts

1971 album featuring the popular Italian hit 'Lemmings (Including Cog)', celebrated for its complex multi-part compositions within prog rock.

3 tracksCharisma labelOriginal US and German pressingsPopular in Italy
Discover the album
#3 · 1970
Vinyl, LP, Album
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other

This 1970 release expanded the band’s lineup and sound, notable for its melding of art rock and progressive textures across six tracks.

6 tracksCharisma labelStereo sound on original pressingsIncludes key tracks like 'Darkness (11/11)'
Discover the album

Go further

Artists similar to Van der Graaf Generator

Artists who share part of Van der Graaf Generator's musical DNA.

Peter Hammill
Gentle Giant
Gentle Giant
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Camel
Caravan
King Crimson
King Crimson
Renaissance
UK

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Van der Graaf Generator

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

Peter Hammill often contested the 'progressive rock' label, emphasizing the band's unique approach to musical expression.
— Peter Hammill
01Studio

Recording of Godbluff in 1975

Godbluff was recorded and released in 1975, featuring four tracks with extended run times, showcasing the band's shift to a darker, more electric sound under the Charisma label.

1975UK
02Pressing

Original Mercury US pressing of World Record

The original 1976 US Mercury LP pressing of World Record carries the catalog number SRM-1-1116 and commands prices starting around 21.74 euros on the collector's market.

1976US
03Live Performance

Pawn Hearts' success in Italy

Pawn Hearts stayed at the top of Italian sales charts for 12 weeks after its 1971 release, becoming a significant commercial success for the band in that country.

1971Italy
04Band

Core quartet formation

By 1970, the core lineup settled around Peter Hammill, Hugh Banton, David Jackson, and Guy Evans, defining the classic Van der Graaf Generator sound documented on several key albums.

1970UK

Records by Van der Graaf Generator

See all
STILL LIFE - Front Cover

STILL LIFE

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
CERISE ROUGE
View details
WORLD RECORD - Front Cover

WORLD RECORD

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
CERISE ROUGE
From $33.33 1 offer
The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other - Front Cover

The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $25.18 2 offers
Godbluff - Front Cover

Godbluff

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $32.61 2 offers
Pawn Hearts - Front Cover

Pawn Hearts

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $112.42 1 offer
H To He Who Am The Only One - Front Cover

H To He Who Am The Only One

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
UNIVERSAL MUSIC
From $40.00 1 offer
Merlin Atmos - Live Performances 2013 - Front Cover

Merlin Atmos - Live Performances 2013

Van der Graaf Generator
Psychedelic rock Rock
EN
From $55.00 1 offer
The Aerosol Grey Machine - Front Cover

The Aerosol Grey Machine

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
SCORPIO
View details
The Aerosol Grey Machine - Front Cover

The Aerosol Grey Machine

Van der Graaf Generator
Prog Rock Rock
SCORPIO US
View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

FAQ

FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

What genre is Van der Graaf Generator associated with?

Van der Graaf Generator is most commonly associated with progressive rock, blending elements of art rock, experimental, and classic rock.

When did Van der Graaf Generator form and where are they from?

The band formed in 1967 in Manchester, United Kingdom, establishing its presence in the progressive rock scene soon thereafter.

Which Van der Graaf Generator albums are essential for vinyl collectors?

Essential vinyl albums include Godbluff (1975), Pawn Hearts (1971), and The Least We Can Do Is Wave To Each Other (1970), noted for their progressive style and collectibility.

Where can I find original Van der Graaf Generator vinyl pressings?

Original 1970s pressings can be found from labels like Charisma and Mercury, including UK, US, and German editions often tracked on vinyl marketplaces.

What should I know about the sound quality of Van der Graaf Generator vinyl?

The band's vinyl releases, especially original stereo pressings from the 1970s, are prized for their dynamic and complex sound, appealing to audiophiles.

Does Van der Graaf Generator have notable live vinyl recordings?

Yes, live performances such as Merlin Atmos - Live Performances 2013 and other concert recordings have been released on vinyl and CD format.

Are Van der Graaf Generator albums remastered on vinyl?

Several albums have been reissued and remastered on vinyl by labels like Universal Music and Cherry Red, improving audio fidelity for collectors.

How popular is Van der Graaf Generator in France?

Van der Graaf Generator enjoys a solid listener base in France, with vinyl and digital plays contributing to their progressive rock legacy in the French market.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

  • WP
    Wikipedia
    Encyclopaedic data and biography
    ↗
  • MB
    MusicBrainz
    Artist metadata, dates, type
    ↗
  • DG
    Discogs
    Discography, pressings and market prices
    ↗
  • LF
    Last.fm
    Listeners, plays, similar artists
    ↗
  • VC
    Vinyles.com
    In-house catalog, prices and availability
    ↗

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 28/06/2026