138. Gary Numan

The average person might recall Gary Numan’s greatest hit, “Cars” and think of it as a quirky one hit wonder that was a flash in the pan of the New Wave era. Gary Numan’s career was actually much more than that and his contributions to the world of Electronic music may be incalculable.

Before Cars, Gary Numan was already a hit maker in England. Picking up the mantle of Kraftwerk and Brian Eno, Numan took Synth Pop to an even darker and icier place than anyone had before. Long after the casual American fan had forgotten about him, Gary Numan was still producing music, laying down a fabric that would be essential to Industrial artists who followed. Numan is still recording today and despite the inaccurate reputation in the States of being a one hit wonder, is one of the more influential figures of Synth Pop history.

Should Gary Numan be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 85.5%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 6.9%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 4.4%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 3.1%

The Bullet Points

Eligible Since: Thursday, 01 January 2004
Country of Origin: United Kingdom (London, England)
Why they will get in: He is massively respected in his field.
Why they won't get in: The genre that he is respected in has yet to receive any respect from the Hall.
Nominated in: Never
Essential Albums: Tubeway Army (1978)
Replicas (1979)
The Pleasure Principle (1979)
Telekon (1980)
Our Five Favorite Songs as Chosen by Each Member of the NIHOF Committee: Steel and You (From Tubeway Army, 1978)
Are Friends Electric? (From Replicas, 1979)
Down in the Park (From Replicas, 1979)
Cars (From The Pleasure Principle, 1979)
I Die: You Die (From Telekon, 1980)