b. Gary Anthony James Webb, 8 March 1958, Hammersmith, London, England. Originally appearing under the group name Tubeway Army, Numan enjoyed enormous success in the UK at the close of the 70s. His Kraftwerk/David Bowie-influenced electronic music saw Tubeway Army top the UK charts in May 1979 with "Are Friends Electric?" By September 1979 Numan had abandoned the group pseudonym for the follow-up single "Cars", which also topped the UK charts and reached the US Top 10. At his peak, Numan was one of the bestselling artists in Britain and his albums The Pleasure Principle (1979) and Telekon (1980) both entered the charts at number 1. His science fiction-orientated lyrics and synthesizer-based rhythms brought further Top 10 successes with "We Are Glass", "I Die: You Die", "She's Got Claws" and "We Take Mystery (To Bed)". Numan's record sales steadily declined as the decade progressed and his glum robotic persona was replaced by that of a debonair man-about-town who also enjoyed aviation. In March 1982 he attempted to fly around the world in his light aircraft and was arrested in India on suspicion of spying. The charge was later dropped. While his reputation among music critics atrophied amid accusations of anachronism, his fanbase remained solid and his recordings continue to reach the lower placings in the UK charts. His career took an upturn in 1996 following the use of "Cars" in a television advertisement. Numan promoted the greatest hits album with gusto. Nothing had changed except his hair, which had become much thicker and darker.
Gary Numan
NME.com feature on Gary Numan including news, reviews, biography, youtube video, audio, concerts, tour dates, photos, pictures, commentary, album reviews and live reviews and cool facts.
Gary Numan News
'The Mighty Boosh' recruit their hero to play comedy team's festival
The Charlatans are lined-up as musical guests too
- May 16, 2008
- 2 comments
NUMAN FINDS FRIENDS ECLECTIC
[a]Gary Numan[/a] is finding a host of musical admirers lining up to work with him...
- May 24, 1998
Gary Numan YouTube Videos
Gary Numan Are friends electric (05:23)
There was never an official video for this awesome number 1 from 1979 so I decided to put some images to it with the help of movie maker. It's not brilliant but it's my first attempt and if it puts Numan in the...
Gary Numan Interview Graham Norton show Funny (06:01)
Numan on the norton show funny one! www.numanme.com
Gary Numan - Complex (03:01)
The rarely seen 1979 promo video for the UK single. Whoever decided that this should be the 2nd single in place of Metal should be shot. It is still a good song though.
Gary Numan Discography
Gary Numan albums.
- Tubeway Army - 1979 (Beggars Banquet)
- Replicas - 1979 (Beggars Banquet)
- The Pleasure Principle - 1979 (Beggars Banquet)
- Telekon - 1980 (Beggars Banquet)
- Living Ornaments 1979-80 - 1981 (Beggars Banquet)
- Dance - 1981 (Beggars Banquet)
- I Assassin - 1982 (Beggars Banquet)
- Warriors - 1983 (Beggars Banquet)
- The Plan - 1984 (Beggars Banquet)
- Berserker - 1984 (Numa)
- White Noise - Live - 1985 (Numa)
- The Fury - 1985 (Numa)
- Strange Charm - 1986 (Numa)
- Exhibition - 1987 (Beggars Banquet)
- Metal Rhythm - 1988 (Illegal)
- The Skin Mechanic - 1989 (I.R.S.)
- Outland - 1991 (I.R.S.)
- Machine + Soul - 1992 (Numa)
- Dream Corrosion - 1994 (Numa)
- Pure - 2000 (Eagle)
- Scarred - 2003 (Eagle)
- Hybrid - 2003 (Jagged Halo)
- Hope Bleeds - 2004 (Mortal)
- Jagged - 2006 (Mortal)
Gary Numan Videos & DVD's
Gary Numan video and DVD releases.
- Dream Corrosion - 1994 (Numa)
- In Concert - 2003 (Classic Rock Legends)
- Hope Bleeds - 2004 (Mortal)
Gary Numan Books
Gary Numan bibliography.
- Gary Numan By Computer - Fred and Judy Vermorel
- Gary Numan: The Authorized Biography - Ray Coleman
- Praying To The Aliens - Gary Numan with Steve Malins
- Electric Pioneer: An Armchair Guide To Gary Numan - Paul Goodwin
