Van der Graaf Generator is an English progressive rock band formed in Manchester in 1967 by Peter Hammill and Chris Judge Smith. Known for their dark, complex music and intense live performances, they were the first group signed by Charisma Records. While they found limited success in the UK, the band gained a devoted following in Italy during the 1970s. Key members included Hammill on vocals, Hugh Banton on organ, Guy Evans on drums, and David Jackson on saxophone. Their albums are noted for ambitious, often brooding soundscapes, favoring organ and saxophone over typical rock guitar solos. Lyrically, Hammill explores existential and science fiction themes, marked by his distinctive, passionate vocal delivery. After several lineup changes and two breakups, the band reunited in 2005 and continues to perform and record as a trio of Hammill, Banton, and Evans. Despite modest commercial success, Van der Graaf Generator has influenced many artists and remains a landmark act in progressive rock.