The Other Three

VDGG, FZ, and the Giant.

I can't believe no one has suggested Camel yet.  I feel they are a definite must, they are extremely classical oriented.  Many of their albums use classical form and structure and can even be considered as symphonies, at least in my opinion.  I feel that Camel as well as the Moody Blues need to be added to that list since we can clearly see the classical influences in the Moody Blues with the Days of Future Passed album.

Camel, Van der Graaf, and it's a toss up between Hawkwind or Soft Machine.

Rush does in my opinion not belong with the others, because they did not enter the game before 1974, when all the others had been around for a few years already. so kick out Rush and throw in Gentle Giant, Van der Graaf Generator, Gong and Amon Düül 2. Soft Machine, Guru Guru, Magma or Embryo would be good choices too. Embryo is definitely the most underrated band out there; they were one of the very first Krautrock bands, are still around and highly original. they deserve a lot more attention and are in my opinion up with bands like Gong, Magma or VdGG

Remove Rush for the reasons Jean provided.

Add:

VdGG
Can
Soft Machine or Caravan
Tangerine Dream ()

I would say VDGG for sure. The probably Camel and Gentle Giant. But if you wanted to lend some perspective you could include Marillion as the next generation.

Zappa is a must, and then i'd say Camel, VdGG and Gentle Giant are also important

I think I am going to remove Rush (sorry rushfan4). So that leaves me space for four others.  The choice of using ten is somewhat arbitrary, but it's a nice round number and I do want to limit myself a little.  It's a 45 minute report on the whole of prog. I have to condense every word on this website down to 45 minutes, so I'm choosing 10.  I am gonna' mention neo-prog and krautrock, giving examples of the bands, etc., so I'm hesitant to use bands like Ozric Tentacles or Amon Duul II.  I know they were both very important, but, compared to Yes or Pink Floyd...
I know, someone's going to argue that they're more important, or that my choices were based on popularity, but let's face it.  I can only choose 10.  

Camel and VDGG would seem to be the obvious ones, much as I'd love to suggest Colosseum or Supertramp or something more fusiony, Gentle Giant or Zappa should fill the final slot. I think Rush are pretty vital though.


Edited by TGM: Orb - January 30 2008 at 13:53

I think Gentle Giant must be one of those bands. They explored obscured territories that any other band ever explored.

Edited by Philip - February 02 2008 at 12:47