The UK born electronic musician singer-songwriter Gary Numan is best known for the single "Cars". He took his androgynous looks, distopian lyrics and machine music to the top of the charts in the early 80s.
After the self-titled debut release as the Tubeway Army, Numan found commercial success with his second album, which was a mix of new wave and electro. The album was helped when a jeans manufacturer used "Are Friends Electric" on a TV ad. The single was released and made it to No.1, taking the album Replicas with it. It was the first of a run of hit albums.
The follow up, The Pleasure Principle, is regarded as Numan's best work. Promoted by the track "Cars", which made it to No 10 in the US, the album . The album heralded the arrival, in the UK of other synth-bands, including Depeche Mode and The Human League. In 1983 the critically acclaimed Warriors was the last of the run of success, and despite subsequent extensive releases featuring changes of image and musical style Numan would never re-capture the popularity of his early work.
Gary Numan's pioneering synth work has been extensively sampled and can be heard in tracks by Armand Van Helden with "Koochy" and Basement Jaxx with "Where's Your Head At?".
As well as being an accomplished musician, Gary Numan also has a pilot's license.
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| Gary McAdam | 2 |
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