Peter Hammill - In A Foreign Town

Peter is particularly noted for his distinctive voice with an incredibly large range and powers of expression, but he is also a proficient multi-instrumentalist, an extremely talented songwriter with a wide variety of themes, and he has developed great skills as arrranger and record producer. He enjoys the challenge of solo performances - both in the studio and on stage, usually playing guitar/keyboard - as well as group work, either with Van Der Graaf Generator or in association with long time partners - he played in duos or bands such as the K group or the Peter Hammill Quartet.

Over the years, Peter has worked with musicians like Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel, David Cross (King Crimson), David Rhodes, Roger Eno, Andy Bell, Lene Lovich, Herbert Grönemeyer, Sarah-Jane Morris, Gary Lucas, etc. He has been cited as a major influence by John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) of the Sex Pistols and later Public Image Limited, Marc Almond (Soft Cell) and Joy Division.

He has a worldwide "PHan" base, with a strong follow-up in many European countries (UK, Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland, Spain, Benelux, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Greece...) as well as Japan, North and South America, Australia, Israel... The most noticeable thing about PH's audiences is that they keep silent during concerts, a rather unique feat in pop music!

Peter's music is at the same time serious and pleasurable, can be equally beautiful and melodic (occasionally with superb choir arrangements) or filled with fracas, apparent chaos and dissonances. Some of his lyrics are among the most touching of all popular music, and he does not hesitate to venture where few lyrics writers would go. His dedication to music has not diminished a bit after more than 5 decades spent in the studio or on the road, nor his distrust of the music business. Peter Hammill is one of a kind.