The music of plane-flying, superfan-marrying Gary Numan (born Gary Anthony James Webb) had a tremendous impact on both sides of the Atlantic. His electronic, experimental compositions ushered in the synthpop era. After a series of demos for Beggars Banquet in 1978, he released his first album, 'Tubeway Army', later the same year. This was followed by '79's 'Replicas', which included the smash hit single 'Are Friends Electric?', an influential Peel Session, and, later that same year, 'The Pleasure Principle', which spawned 'Cars'. 'Cars' sealed Numan's fame both here and in the US, backed up by elaborate, futuristic stage shows. More albums followed - 'Telekon' (1980), 'The Dance' (1981), 'I, Assasain' (1982), 'Warriors' (1983) - but sales were declining, and 'Warriors' was to spawn his last top ten hit.
