Who invented prog?

AtomicCrimsonRush wrote: one image sums it all up

I'll grant you that this album was influential, very influential, in the development of prog.  I will not grant that this was the beginning, however.  This just added some really good stuff to the mix.

Beethoven.

Who invented prog? 

Procol Harum. No, wait, The Beach Boys. 

Gah, screw it, I bet it was Bach. 

Ah, but who was the first prog rock BAND? Hmm...probably Crimso. 

I did not vote. As many others here I believe it is not an invention but kind of evolution (yes, Darwin again).

It's an interesting topic, I think.  I haven't read through the thread, but I would have included Cream on the list.  And of course The Beach Boys.  I think one could also include bands such as The Byrds.

Very notable missing options: The Mothers of Invention and Soft Machine.  I'm voting other.

From my limited point of view and to use volleyball as a metaphor...

...And on the 7th day He created PROG, and He was more than happy!!

This would never be an easy one to answer without further indepth discussion and likewise debating as well.  A quick answer would be King Crimson. Here's why. While groups like Yes, Pink Floyd, Genesis and even Rush actually exsisted before Crimso offically formed, they weren't condsidered progressive rock then (though some of them might of displayed early signs of progressing but not so much during this early period). The term progressive rock didn't even exsist until it was applied by music reviewers regarding King Crimson's early live performances and record reviews in publications such as MNE and Melody Maker. And unlike any of the bands mentioned earlier, King Crimson was a progressive rock unit right from day one unlike their contemporaries like Pink Floyd (starting out as a psychedelic act), Jethro Tull (blues-rock) or Mooody Blues (R&B) for example.  Bands like the Beatles and the Mothers were exploring uncharted musical boundries in the mid-60's in essence progressing from what was the norm at the time (call it proto-prog if you will). And then a revamped Moody Blues would go and release an album entitled "Days Of Future Passed" which further instilled the movement toward prog. But one would just need to listen to "In The Court..." by KC to actually hear of what was to become beacuse there was definetly nothing like it at all prior to it's release. Such bands immediately took notice and the rest is prog history.   

Edited by guitargods2009 - September 27 2009 at 02:06

guitargods2009 wrote:   Actually, Lord Sutch invented prog!!!