Van der Graaf Generator book

Hi everybody,

In case anyone's interested, the new VdGG biography (which I co-
wrote) is now available. Members of Genesis (Phil Collins, PG, Steve
Hackett) have contributed to it (this is *THE* most extensive
coverage of the '71 Six Bob tour, where Genesis opened for VdGG,
anywhere). Also in the book is prog artist Paul Whitehead, producer
John Anthony (who's production work includes VdGG, Genesis, Queen,
Roxy, The Tubes), and Armando Gallo (the Genesis biographer) - all
have been interviewed extensively. So has Dave Anderson (Amon Duul
II & Hawkwind) and a bunch of people from the Charisma Records
office (as well as memebers from old Charisma bands including Rare
Bird, Audience, and Lindisfarne). Several musicians have been
interviewed (including John Frusciante [RHCP], Graham Coxon [Blur],
Gary Lucas [Capt Beefheart's Magic Band], Marc Almond, Colin Newman
[Wire], Arthur Brown [God of Hellfire], and several others, as well
as music producers [Sir George Martin, Shel Talmy], movie directors
[Jonathan Demme, Anthony Minghella], and authors [Ian Rankin, Michel
Faber]). It's pretty damned comprehensive and the VdGG guys are
pretty happy with it. So are we!

It's a BIG book; hardcover, and over 300 pages. There are nearly 300
photos, in both color and b&w (most never before seen). If anyone is
interested, the link is:

http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk/book_sell.htm

Thanks!

Jim Christopulos

I'll search for it and try to get it through Brussels's Waterstone bookshop. Hope they can find it!!

bucka001 wrote: Sean Trane wrote: I'll search for it and try to get it through Brussels's Waterstone bookshop. Hope they can find it!! For the time being, it's not in the stores (and it may not be at all). It's only available through the VdGG website (and Hammill also has it flagged up on his Sofa Sound site). We've been so swamped that we haven't even had time to think of distribution through those channels. Possibly in the future.

It wouls suicidal not to do it. Ignoring standard channels of distribution is bound to diminish sales

How about dealing with this guy in Belgium?

http://vox.telenet.be

He deals mostly music books from all over the world. recently bought him the Stump book GG's Acquiring The Taste

Great news Jim, I shall most definitely obtain a copy of this.

I am glad to see you got back from England fine..., I was sat next to you at the Shepherd's Bush Empire gig and we had a great chat, so thanks for that.

What are you doing in Uruguay?  I thought you were in Cali?

Congratulations on the hard work yourself and Phil Smart have made in producing this book, I could only dream of writing something similar on Duster Bennett, maybe one day...

James.

Ah yes, Chicago, my mistake... but yes, good to see you got back fine, you hadn't had much sleep.

Any ideas if there is a bootleg of the Shepherds Bush gig Jim?  I am trying to get hold of recordings of gigs I attend.  I have the RFH gig, but I wasn't actually there.  Any ideas?

Oh and I know you speak to the VdGG members yourself, any news on a possible new album for the future?  I know the RFH gig is being released around December time, so I look forward to hearing the official recording.

James - Try the Yahoo Hammill group. Some members on there help with 'seeding' concerts (although I personally don't have any).

Sean - A few thousand.

From Phil Smart, VdGG web master:

There's still time to order The Book in time for Christmas (UK and
airmail), although the days are slipping by...
According to the UK's Royal Mail, for us to send parcels in time for
Christmas we would need to have received your order by December 12th
for UK and W Europe, or December 8th for the rest of the world
(airmail).

I have been able to reduce the postage costs slightly because sales
have been reasonable, but this is mainly outside my control. We don't
make any money from the postage and packing cost. I have tried to find
a cheaper method, but failed. The problem is that The Book weighs in at
nearly 2Kg (4.4lbs).

I should also add that we are the sole mail-order supplier at this
time. It would not be advisable to shop elsewhere online. This may
change, but at this time no books have been supplied to any other
online seller.

Phil.
http://www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk

I ordered mine yesterday.
I figure I'm deserving of a $74.00 book. I've been a good girl.

Mine arrived this morning, I'm just about to go and open it and give it an initial flick through.  Christmas has come early!  Albeit only by a few weeks.

Cheers once again Jim and Phil for writing this book.

Peter Hammill's (edited) comments in his latest newsletter:

Some of you will be aware that Phil Smart and Jim Christopulos have been working away on a biography of VdGG for a number of years. This has now finally been published. Their research for this project has been diligent and wide-ranging and they've come up with a fascinating collection of interviewees and an even more fascinating range of photographs and other pieces of documentary evidence of all the lives and times of the band(s). Thus far I've only skimmed through the book, dipping in and out of the text and being amazed by the wealth of pictorial material. It's an honest and thorough piece of work and virtually everyone involved contributes a say or so, along with quite a few "celebrity" enthusiasts and commentators. It's an expensive purchase, but an interesting one. You can get it by going to www.vandergraafgenerator.co.uk on the web.

[it's also at amazon.co.uk]