Peter Hammill

Peter Joseph Andrew Hammill (born November 5, 1948) is a progressive rock writer and singer and a founder member of Van der Graaf Generator.

Hammill's solo career began w

Peter Joseph Andrew Hammill (born November 5, 1948) is a progressive rock writer and singer and a founder member of Van der Graaf Generator.

Hammill's solo career began with Fool's Mate (1970), while still a member of Van der Graaf Generator. To some extent it is difficult to separate Hammill's solo work during the 1970s from his work with the band, since not only did he write Van der Graaf's lyrics, but he also recorded many of his 'solo' songs with various members of the band. In general, however, solo Hammill is concerned with more personal matters, while the band's songs deal with broader themes. His earlier work was largely existential in nature and many of his solo album lyrics are literary, poetic and amongst the most sensitive and intelligent and complex expressions of angst and a search for meaning in the history of music. Indeed, his work ranges from relatively simple riffs to infinitely complex pieces.