Gary Numan
| Gary Numan | |
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Numan performing in April 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gary Anthony James Webb |
| Born |
8 March 1958 Hammersmith, London, England |
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| Years active | 1977–present |
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| Associated acts | |
| Website | garynuman |
| Notable instruments | |
Gary Anthony James Webb (born 8 March 1958), professionally known as Gary Numan, is an English singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Born in Hammersmith, London, he first entered the music industry as the lead singer of the new wave band Tubeway Army. After releasing two albums with the band, Numan released his debut solo album The Pleasure Principle in 1979.
Most widely known for his chart-topping hits "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and "Cars", Numan achieved his peak of mainstream popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but maintains a loyal cult following. His signature sound consists of heavy synthesizer hooks fed through guitar effects pedals, and he is considered a pioneer of commercial electronic music. Numan is also known for his distinctive voice and androgynous "android" persona.
Born in Hammersmith, London, Numan was the son of a British Airways bus driver based at Heathrow Airport. He was educated at Town Farm Junior School in Stanwell, Surrey, Ashford County Grammar School, then Slough Grammar School in Berkshire, followed by Brooklands Technical College in Surrey. He joined the Air Training Corps as a teenager. He then briefly held various jobs including forklift truck driver, air conditioning ventilator fitter, and accounts clerk.
When Numan was 15 years old, his father bought him a Gibson Les Paul, which he regards as his most treasured possession. He played in various bands, including Mean Street and The Lasers, before forming Tubeway Army with his uncle, Jess Lidyard, and Paul Gardiner. His initial pseudonym was "Valerian", probably in reference to the hero in French science fiction comic series Valérian and Laureline. He later picked the surname "Numan" from an advert in the Yellow Pages for a plumber whose surname was "Neumann".
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Wikipedia