The story of synth pop legend Gary Numan

[@sparekeiv]

Great video! My favorite Numan songs are: "Ghost Nation", "I Am Dust", "Me! I Disconnect From You", "Metal", "Films", "Tracks", "Cars", "The Promise", "Are 'Friends' Electric?", "Bed of Thorns", Here in the Black", "The Gift", "Everything Comes Down to This", "Halo", "My Name is Ruin", "Intruder", "And it All Began With You", "Down in the Park", "The Fall", "Love Hurt Bleed", "Replicas", "The Chosen", "A Prayer for the Unborn", "Pray for the Pain You Serve", "the Seed of a Lie", "Jagged", and "We Are So Fragile"

[@daverawcliffe3212]

I just don’t understand why Gary Numan hasn’t been inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame. In my opinion, The Pleasure Principle is one of the greatest albums ever. He changed music and influenced too many artists to mention, I was so fortunate to be able to see him in Vancouver in 2003 . It was the best gig I’ve ever been to, The Pleasure Principle was the first album I bought and I was 10 years old, my cousin used to play cars constantly, and I remember listening to it over and over and I thought his voice was so different from anyone else. Nobody at that time was making music that sounded like him, he was ahead of his time.

[@shylinh5939]

I think he got to know how good is is, and how much admired and loved he is in the end.

[@mathiaskrokus3849]

"Berserker". Really liked that album

[@ddttranslator]

My favorite album is "Beserker". I will never understand how that masterpiece was not very successful.

[@TheWillHadcroft]

I love Berserker too. Personally, while it has become unfashionable amongst Numan fans to say so, I *like* the presence of saxophone, fretless bass and female backing vocals. I like much of the Strange Charm album as well.

[@Sheahan587]

Beserker is incredible. Should have released with BB.

[@metaprecise8935]

I'm gonna listen to sum Numan Beserker for the 1st time.

[@TheWillHadcroft]

@@metaprecise8935 A very different sounding record compared to what precedes it, but I think it is by far the strongest of the Numa Records phase. Personally, the presence of female backing vocals does not bother me.

[@metaprecise8935]

This was cool. Actually, it was warm. A warmer Numan, happier. The sax and female vocals really made it. Very creative.

[@cherobinson6371]

The guys such a overlooked talent. Definitely deserves Rock hall of Fame type status. Legend!

[@RiverOfBlacklights]

RRHOF is a joke. No wonder why there are so many great bands and artists that belong there but, who could give two monkeys about it. Even worse, there's now a ton of "artists" who have been inducted and that have *_NOTHING_* to do with the rock 'n roll side of music, which just adds more insult to an already enraging insult...

[@Scotlanz]

Always loved Gary Numan and watched a few documentaries about him but there’s lots of stuff here I didn’t know. Well done. 👏👍

[@soundofhistory_]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it

[@chrisknowlton9460]

Favorite album is Sacrifice from the mid 90s, self released on Numa label, later reissued and remastered and sadly out of print.

[@keithfulkerson]

If you haven't seen it, check out the documentary "Synth Britannia". It should still be here on KZbin.

[@soundofhistory_]

I have not seen that, I’ll definitely check it out

[@a_ya5555]

You haven't seen that? What are you doing on the internet?

[@soundofhistory_]

@@a_ya5555 You're right, I should spend my time on the internet watching everything ever made. That's my fault. I'll do better.

[@a_ya5555]

@@soundofhistory_ No, you should limit your time but watch important things if you're going to pretend you know what youre talking about, The next doc for you is the how synth pop became synth pop by trash theory. If you can't do that I'll just let you know that kraftwerk did the first techno songs, europe endless and possibly some earlier stuff, electro too, trans europe express. The act Space did a song called magic fly as well around that time, then came moroder, human league, etc etc.

[@annikboyer3395]

I saw him in a concert this past March (on the 17th) and I loved every moment of it!

[@lewiswebb2753]

He puts on such a good live show and always brings amazing bands on tour.

[@byronneedham529]

Yes listen to Sacrifice, it takes you back to the Tubeway Army days.

[@davepatterson4774]

Cool video! A lot I didn't know, previously. I've played both originals and covers for years, and Gary's music is a whole lotta fun to do. Sometimes staying as close to the original versions as possible, but also doing heavier versions as well. His music, to me at least, is ageless.

[@marpsr]

Telekon is Gary’s masterpiece. His comeback started with Sacrifice. Jagged is my favorite of his modern era.

[@otakarkuby3926]

Great presentation, i didnt expect you to get so much in comparitvly little time. look forward to your next piece.

[@soundofhistory_]

Thank you!

[@xp7575]

​​@@soundofhistory_hey bro, I just discovered you just now when the algorithm put this vid in my suggestions, I'm not a Gary Newman fan but I love history channels and I love alternative music so I decided to give this vid a chance and I fell in love with your writing and narration and I was excited to see that you had videos on a lot of groups that I really enjoy so I subscribed less than halfway into this vid, it's always exciting to find a new channel like yours that is THIS high quality when it's a smaller channel that hasn't blown up yet, keep up the good work and your channel is bound to explode sooner or later because you're really making excellent content

[@soundofhistory_]

@@xp7575 thank you so much! That’s really nice to hear

[@entropy156]

Sacrifice (or, in the US, Dawn) was the turning point. Gemma convinced him to get out in his home studio and make music for him...with no thought of commercial success or even release. It brought us to where we are now. And check out "Pure" It's glorious....

[@charlottesometimes2020]

“Dance” is my fave album. Partnering with Mick Karn of Japan was a brilliant collaboration.

[@cesararzola8380]

I saw him live for his most recent album. The concert was delayed as many other due to the pandemic but it was worth the wait. He's amazing on stage! You can't tell he's in his 60s.

[@peterfgregory888]

more reconitionmGary is a genius , great documentary! I ought pleasure principle as a kid recognitionmhe desrves more ore kudos and

[@rayglover5003]

Great job! Been listening to the early stuff of Gary/T.A. quite a bit lately. A suggestion for another band I would make is the veteran Aussie psych/art rock band The Church, who had a top 40 hit in the U.S. in 1988 with 'Under the Milky Way' - they're still going but with only one original member left now.

[@albertomoller4027]

Meu álbum preferido é réplicas

[@Regent79]

For me, 1994’s ‘Sacrifice’ was the sign that the real Gary Numan was still out there..

[@1o1productions25]

slanging out bangers fr keep up the dope vids :)

[@rdzu834]

A small correction. It was actually Gary who was the sole Sci Fi fan in the beginning. He became Valerian as Paul and Jess became “Scarlett” and “Rael”. This is on the back of the Thats Too Bad single. The single’s cover art came from Gary’s short stories involving a city run by a supercomputer where at night there is a curfew and the walls of the buildings glow so there is no dark places to hide. That became the basis for Replicas where in Ballardian fashion, Androids called Machmen arrest the curfew violators (usually “The Crazies” who are just people living in the old Tubeway tunnels, trying to scavenge), put them in The Park and the Machines inside turn on and commit atrocities on them. The collaborators to the computer get to watch from a club called Zom Zoms. The key thing that you alluded to is that “Tubeway Army” isn’t really a band like The Beatles or Led Zeppelin or Sex Pistols where it’s a group of people thinking of songs to write and collaborating on the process. It’s an Autistic sci fi nerd who took the helm whilst his friends backed him up. In the autobiography Praying To The Aliens, it’s mentioned that Gary wanted Replicas released under his own name, which is what should’ve happened but never did. You mentioned it at some point. The American releases have got it right by including Gary Numan’s name in the title instead of only Tubeway Army. I honestly think the re-releases should just be “Gary Numan-Replicas” HMV gets it right by putting the “Tubeway Army” stuff that Gary wrote the lyrics and most of the melody, produced, contributed to guitar and synths, played lead vocals, was the image/face for the band, produced and co-engineered into the Gary Numan section.

[@jamesmay3941]

This is a shorter and less detailed version of Gary Numan's autobiography, mostly written during the Covid pandemic. I encourage anyone who's interested to read it. It allows you into his character, emotions and personality, which this video fails to do.

[@prophez23]

New subscriber here so forgive me if you have already done a video on the band I'm going to recommend. Being that you did a great job on presenting Gary Numan you should do a deep dive into Skinny Puppy and more importantly into cEvin Key. He's a good friend of Gary Numan as well as an old school underground synth artist responsible for some of the most extraordinary music ever. I believe it's cEvin Key's influence that set Gary Numan on the path of writing Savage and Intruder. If you listen to "My name is ruin" from Savage then listen to some of the stuff cEvin Key was doing at the time with knowing they're good friends it's not a far stretch to figure out where he got the inspiration. Anyway I think you will find a lot of goodness for a future video from the deep history of Skinny Puppy and all it's connective tissue into the realm of synth industrial EBM etc.

[@jonpilgrim7820]

Love it man, "Pleasure Principle" is one of my favorite albums. I say take on anything R. Stevie Moore did because he's an important artist that doesn't get much recognition.

[@SteveSteeleSoundSymphony]

If you want to check out a band that is somewhat related to Gary Numan, (and always compared with Duran Duran which you’ll hear immediately), check out Japan. Three albums in particular. 1980s Quiet Life, 1980s Gentleman Take Polaroids, and 1981s Tin Drum. Like Numan’s “Machine” period, the first of the trio, Quiet Life has some of the punk roots in place but leaning towards the ‘80s, (and from the first track Quiet Life you might actually think you’re listening to Duran Duran), but the next two albums are more synth heavy, leaning on fretless bass, atmospheric, “Asian” sounding and have become the classics that have defined Japan’s legacy. Gary Numan and Japan are two bands from this time period that have been extremely influential on me, (along with Bowie, Joy Division, Robert Fripp, UK, King Crimson, etc etc). (Btw, Numan’s Dance and I, assassin are heavily influenced by Japan, even borrowing Japan’s great bassist Mick Karn. Listen to Japan’s Ghosts from Tin Drum, and SlowCar to China from Numan’s Dance and you’ll instantly hear the connection.

[@combikritter]

Since finding your channel, I have been really enjoying your mini-documentaries. Thank you. Numan was, and still is (in my opinion), one of the biggest influences on synth-based music. I have seen him live numerous times (just recently with Ministry) and each show is just fantastic! A true performer. You mentioned liking to receive recommendations. Are you familiar with the works of Fad Gadget (Frank Tovey)? Another, in my opinion, highly influential musician in the synth-based music world. Highly under-appreciated and sadly more or less, unknown. He also got his start around 1977/1978 and influenced bands such as a little up and coming act called, Depeche Mode. Check Fad Gadget out, if you have time. Again, love these documentaries. Keep them coming. :)

[@searchin1truth]

You missed the most important album on his comeback in 1998 titled Exile with the hit, dominion day . Followed by a North American tour which boosted his confidence conversing with his fans after the shows made him realize he is still loved by his old followers . Gary took this new wave and has been riding it ever since . Another important note missed is when he moved from the UK to the USA , what a difference it made , also the birth of his children. He continues to tour to this day and is constantly busy on the road and making music as well as being a loving father . So his career has gone full circle with the down years actually assisting in his later success as we all learn from our failures or bad times as it makes us stronger and Gary has been through the rollercoaster of life and turned out better than he ever expected . Having a conversation with Gary back in 98 he was as friendly as could be and thankful for his success as he credits the fans as much as his incredible contribution to the music industry . Gary Numan was a pivotal figure in the way music has shaped our world and for that we are forever grateful .

[@joninterglad]

Numan just played in Chicago last week and it was a great show. He played Cars but it was more industrial and harder than the synth pop-ish album version.

[@girthquake9655]

Gary is an absolutely amazing man.

[@futureshockxl]

I would actually argue that the return to Gary Numans roots started with Pure and was fully in place by Jagged. Dead Son was a mis-step, but then Splinter is a tour de force, not a return to form at all but a perfecting of it.

[@julianfountain8025]

I agree! Pure was a return to form, but snarling and unfettered.

[@atheistleopard2484]

depeche mode took over numan's spot

[@riseofthethorax]

Thanks! david byrne also has high functioning autism. I met a guy on altspacevr who was high functioning autistic but also had a confused sense of sexuality, which seemed to have to do with the autism.. There us a documentary called "why I jump" which gives people a sense of what its like to have autism.. People have claimed I have autism, but I don't, I have aphasia, which can at times seem like the same thing, cause I'm more comfortable talking at people, not interacting aurally cause its likely I will misunderstand, and even not understand things until much later, which come to think of it sounds a bit autistic.. But I've been diagnosed multiple times and autism was never an explanation, I just retain a lot if stuff I've heard or read.. I don't have a lot of friends. When I had friends, I usually only had one.. And my friends tended to be as insecure interacting as I.

[@soundofhistory_]

Thank you!

[@exile220ify]

"Splinter" is probably the best album I've ever heard, front to back, from any artist. It just beats out "Telekon" for Best Numan Album

[@Steven-k4v]

In 1979 I was living in UK in that time my god is a lot of years gon

[@soundofhistory_]

I'm sure you have some great stories of that time!

[@hugolaguna5669]

A Real Genius that has so much Talent and Creativity... Greetings from PERU amigos

[@420greatestqueen]

His live shows are great!

[@dr.smasher4892]

I've seen him live twice since 2022, I kinda took a flier on whether or not he'd be good live the first time I saw him, but man that show was great. The second time he wasn't even headlining (Ministry was the headliner) but he was somehow more energetic and motivated as an opener. It's hard to beat Intruder into Metal as a show opener

[@craigburgess7105]

he crash landed his plane in the field next to our school field - we all cam out of the school to watch. Never forget that. Gary is a top lad. Much respect.

[@crazychadmb]

Hes a pop star with a pilots license, can you imagine that?

[@hirepimike]

I think his work with Nine Inch Nails cemented his rock cred. It opened new audiences for him. You are in my vision is joyous rock. He is clever.

[@simonp9075]

Wow great info i take my hat off to your research great job you now your stuff and great review. Thanks

[@SuperNovember28]

well done! saw him in 1980 nyc he was great

[@exile220ify]

Please do something on Chris Whitley. He was *THE* Number-One-With-A-Bullet star of 1991 but had a bumpy ride for the rest of his career. What most people don't know is that he's one of the most INCREDIBLE guitar players to ever live - even covering Robert Johnson songs than nobody else would cover because "too difficult". On his final album, he actually covered Numan's "Are 'Friends' Electric?" He is quoted as saying that he always wanted to be "Gary Numan on a Dobro" - and, he was.

[@Manare71]

I think Replicas is by far his best studio album. BTW, good biography, but you forgot to mention an important bit, which is John Foxx's (& Ultravox) influence in his music at that time.

[@SvenFx-22]

Great video. I think the only thing I would have included is how the UK press hammered Gary. He became tabloid fodder

[@gregvanblair9096]

Have you covered Peter Hammill?

[@TheLemonKid01]

Urggh ... that terrible Emotion video. Nice summary of his career though. Thanks for sharing.

[@wesleydewitt9566]

One more for the synth heads, Yellow Magic Orchestra, please!

[@AuthorUnknown-m3f]

Do a vid on IAMX next. He’s friends with Gary and has made a few of his music videos. He’s mostly a musician though, he’s just also insanely talented at video making too. All around underrated and unknown artist. 😊 Check him out!

[@emillion4470]

Gary Numan + Donna Summer + Grand Master Flash = Pet Shop Boys

[@JCTaylor21]

Not sure if you've done a video on Kraftwerk, but they'd be a good subject.

[@rachelseago3473]

Getting a number one album seems to be much harder these days. Two number 2's is awsome.

[@B1GDINO]

It should be mentioned that the British press set out to destroy numan, as they tend to do with anyone who reaches a high level of success. They succeeded to a degree.

[@daviddimaria5478]

Collective soul

[@scatton61]

For me his comeback started with Sacrifice. For me Pure is as good as the Pleasure Principle, not a bad track on it..

[@wayneowen7213]

Very interesting

[@eternalom7038]

Video Recs: Gary Wilson, No Trend, Roy Wood

[@Steven-k4v]

The best of the best for me in my life oll way's I was just 12 years old my god

[@AlbertKundrat]

3:09 to 3:13/1901: "He might have had A.S." So what is "ASBURGER Syndrome"?

[@karldonald8150]

Isnt Raven very like her grandmother Beryl

[@HumanoidMachine]

You skipped Pure, Exile, and Jagged?? He would have never done Splinter if not for those. That was the beginning of the sound that he's developed now. You're doing him a great disservice.

[@girthquake9655]

Gary Numans song"films" is the one you should listen to. The drum beats are hard af.

[@soundofhistory_]

I’ll check it out!

[@retromaster2000s]

Gary Numan & The Arms are not Synthpop. Darkwave and Progressive and Rock not Pop at all except "Cars" Synth Rock also and like Beautiful Ballads too. lame to so many other overseas hits and deep cuts. You say he claimed to audition for "The Jam'' not claimed he tells the truth. Gary is honest but comes off as humble and very self conscious. Gary Numan's band members are important too they played better then him he even called himself a creator and arranger of noises his unique style of guitar playing and like you said android dystopian vocals. But he was trying to be darker and heavier he told Steve Malins on The Eko - Telekon (2006) CD Set Interview. So yeah he was trying to be darker and heavier other acts of the time more synth pop Bubble Gum type music and he never replaced a conventional line-up he only added synths to enhance them. This is a cool video nice facts I didn't know too love it! Could you do one on Devo or The Tubes too? lol.

[@Steven-k4v]

No I am 58 your old ❤

[@mikesheehan5006]

Not too bad, from what I watched. But I had to stop watching it because the amount of times I heard "quote" and "end quote" drove me up the wall.

[@abritandhisbikeinpoland6802]

I was at the Bristol Colston hall on the Touring Principle UK tour in 79. Then 2 nights Bristol hippodrome 1980, and met him backstage after sound check. And I was at the last 2 nights of the Farewell Wembley shows in 1981. Then at least a nother 8 or 9 shows in the 80s to early 90s. It was mind blowing, i was 17 18 19 at the time. I like his new stuff, but i cant watch the new shows, he has become too friendly, too open and casual with the fans, and throwing himself around the stage is sooooooooooooooooo not Numan for me! I prefer the cold distant Numanoid image that started it all, and I'm lucky to say I was part of the scene, happy days!

[@winslow-eh5kv]

Why do all these people whom you cover feel this need to disparage their own talent?

[@BGNRich]

I had to stop watching halfway through. You really don't need to say the word quote every time you quote someone and then say end quote at the end. Quotation marks are punctuation and don't need to be spoken comma it drives me nuts full stop

[@soundofhistory_]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5_cc32AfpeYp9U&ab_channel=Kaeks

[@ronanzann4851]

Ass-Burn'er Syndrome ? .....is that the same as Prickly Heat ???????

[@outpost31737]

Numan was first class for about three years then he dressed up as Mad Max and the god awful Warriors appeared. Since then he's become nothing more than a cult act. Occasionally he writes a half decent track but the last five albums are lacklustre and formulaic. Whatever magic he possessed back in the day has long since disappeared. Numan today is an old man (sporting a seriously dodgy hair system) doing as many gigs as he can with a terrible lazy set list. It's all about the money until pension day. Replicas, PP, Telekon and Dance are pure gold though so I thank him and the band for those albums at least.

[@paulcollins5586]

Mark shreeve is better.

[@SomeBizarretaSomeBizzareLabel0]