Van Der Graaf Generator - A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers (1972)

Live for Belgian TV, March 21st 1972

[@dmatveev89]

What a criminally underrated band

[@michaelboyce]

Hard to believe that someone in 1972 actually knew how to properly video record a band playing music of this dramatic complexity, without (actually, some, but not too many) silly camera "accents". The cameras actually hit the right instruments at the right time, which leads me to believe that the producer actually knew the music. An incredible proposition.

[@pablostofblat7551]

Pure poetry...And the music rises from the poem. And at last , the music gains its own identity. VDG is one of the most powerful and unique musical projects of the century.

[@thomasott6184]

magic. pure magic. simple fact: there are parts in this performance that surpasses everyting that any band on earth delivered in brutality and devastating, controlled, beautifiul and simply unbearable power. that done without a guitar and/or bass player is simply beyond reason

[@andyjones125]

Absolutely love this. I'm amazed that they were able to play it live. bearing in mind all the cross-fades on the studio version.

[@jahkomo]

A masterpiece like this with only 910 views?

[@jamesmcintyre2008]

There is prog rock..............and then there's VAN DER GRAAF

[@andrewwilliams9599]

The Hohner Pianet. Not just an excellent electric piano, but aesthetically pleasing as well.

[@colinweatherby]

man, when he raises that wine glass at 22 mins.......that's what success looks like

[@piotrdewiszek8932]

It's a masterpiece of contemporary music. No word more to say.

[@h.p.dominocus]

Literally one of the best performances I've ever seen in my 40 years of life. Pawn Hearts is life changing and Peter Hammill is one of the greats.

[@ginogiano8061]

Grandissimi... Pawn Hearts è un disco da isola deserta!

[@funecheeseofficial3576]

2 pirates a lynyrd skynyrd reject and a 19th century insane man make one of the greatest songs of all time

[@avi_s0ncin0]

the coolest thing ever is at

[@atlasking6110]

As a Prog fanatic, this is one of the greatest things I've ever seen in my entire life!

[@brianarmstrong3731]

I saw Van der Graaf many times in the mid 70s but they never played Lighthouse. I always assumed this was because it was too complex to play live so it's wonderful to see this video. I actually roadied for them (sort of). I was sitting in the Poly bar at Newcastle when they came in looking for volunteers to bring their gear up from the truck. That would have been late 74 or early 75....

[@markus57ch]

Pure Magic! Van der Graaf Generator was the first band I ever saw live, back in 1975. Loved them then and love them now.

[@JustJP]

Stunning performance

[@giannaguascagni5300]

the final scene with the glass of wine haha such a genius

[@MrDirtybear]

Love it at the 3.30 mark candles to sparklers! But seriously with all the ideas that went into the writing this, it is a compressed opera.