Mount Rushmore of Prog
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Topic: Mount Rushmore of Prog
Posted By: YESESIS
Subject: Mount Rushmore of Prog
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 20:16
So, who would be the four artists on your ultimate Mount Rushmore of Prog?
For me, YES would certainly be there. Even if they're 'out of fashion' now or whatever. They're still the prog masters in my book. One of their albums is, Close to the Edge.. ranks pretty high among prog albums last time I checked. And that's, obviously, not their only GREAT album. You know what the others are by now.
Another band, naturally, is GENESIS.. From Gabriel to Collins, this is one of the greatest bands ever period. The early proggy stuff speaks for itself.. Selling England by the Pound, The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, Foxtrot... I even love their 80's stuff like the S/T(Shapes) album and Invisible Touch.
And when talking about all time great prog artists, how can GENTLE GIANT not be mentioned?? The is a very rare band in which I literally love ALL of their albums. I even rock out to Civilian every once in a while. Their classic albums are well known and completely deserving of their reputations. The Missing Piece and Giant for a Day! are even cool albums if you give them a chance.
And for me that fourth and final spot currently belongs to Uncle FRANK ZAPPA! He just has a whole lot of great stuff lol. Too many great and classic albums to even list them all. This man was a genius of the highest order. He's definitely my current obsession, just can't get enough of his music!
So how about you? Who makes your ultimate Mount Rushmore of Prog?
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Replies:
Posted By: mechanicalflattery
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 20:24
Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson, and Gentle Giant make up the proverbial Holy Trinity of prog. If it qualifies, then Tangerine Dream rounds out the group to four.
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Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 20:26
Probably just Magma, King Crimson, and Van der Graaf Generator on mine.
------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 20:58
This seems similar to the Big 3, Big 4, Big 6, or whatever, threads. I know many people don't like such lists, and won't agree about the ones included, and say that quality is not the same as popularity, or whatever. But in my mind, the biggest prog bands would all be british, and I would consider them 6 that just can't be left out. Yes, Genesis, ELP, King Crimson, Jethro Tull, and Pink Floyd. If I go into a big 3, I guess it should be Yes, Genesis and ELP... and perhaps a big 4 with King Crimson added. The next 4, but I guess that's more personal than a real apreciation of popularity, would be Gentle Giant, Camel, VdGG, and Renaissance.
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Posted By: omphaloskepsis
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 21:10
Yes, Pink Floyd, Rush, Jethro Tull
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Posted By: Larkstongue41
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 21:20
If we're talking classic prog then:
King CrimsonYes ELP Pink Floyd
Overall though, I'd personally say (in terms of scope of influence and relative quality of output):
King Crimson Can PFM Zappa
EDIT- King Crimson, VDGG, Gentle Giant and Magma makes sense to me too.
------------- "Larks' tongues. Wrens' livers. Chaffinch brains. Jaguars' earlobes. Wolf nipple chips. Get 'em while they're hot. They're lovely. Dromedary pretzels, only half a denar."
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: December 19 2017 at 22:30
For me it would be Yes, Rush, Genesis and Pink Floyd. Not just because those are among my favorites but because I feel they are the most important and successful.
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Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 02:07
Pink Floyd, Yes and Genesis are beyond discussion for me. For the fourth slot there are some candidates: Crimso, ELP and JT (the others of the big six), Rush (held the flag high when the others had fallen into decline) and Magma. GG and VdGG would be fine as well. I think I'd give the fourth spot to Magma.
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Posted By: Tapfret
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 02:29
I feel like this should be heads only, not whole bands.
1. Zappa 2. Gabriel with his flower head costume 3. The Gentle Giant bald, bearded mascot (which in the right light also serves as Francesco Di Giacomo) 4. An unfinished, complex jumble of boulders wearing Robert Fripp's glasses
------------- https://www.last.fm/user/Tapfret" rel="nofollow"> https://bandcamp.com/tapfret" rel="nofollow - Bandcamp
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Posted By: chopper
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 04:15
mechanicalflattery wrote:
Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson, and Gentle Giant make up the proverbial Holy Trinity of prog. If it qualifies, then Tangerine Dream rounds out the group to four. |
No way can you have a "Holy Trinity" without Yes or Genesis.
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Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 06:28
But what about the Mount Progmore of Rush?
It would have to be predictable, big, first-tier, classic English prog acts: Genesis, Yes, King Crimson, ELP. Though for my tastes ELP would be supplanted on the CD player by preferred acts including Tangerine Dream, Gentle Giant, Jethro Tull, and others, I believe they would merit a place on such a monument to prog history.
------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy.
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 06:44
Yes, Genesis, King Crimson, Pink Floyd
------------- Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/
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Posted By: The.Crimson.King
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 08:32
For me it would be VDGG, Crimso, Tull & Genesis. But I agree with an earlier comment that said it should actually be 4 heads on the mountain so I'd go with Peter Hammill, Fripp, Ian Anderson & PG 
------------- https://wytchcrypt.wixsite.com/mutiny-in-jonestown" rel="nofollow - Mutiny in Jonestown : Progressive Rock Since 1987
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Posted By: Nogbad_The_Bad
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 08:46
for the head - Anderson, Fripp, Gabriel, Waters
------------- Ian
Host of the Post-Avant Jazzcore Happy Hour on Progrock.com
https://podcasts.progrock.com/post-avant-jazzcore-happy-hour/
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 10:30
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
For me it would be Yes, Rush, Genesis and Pink Floyd. Not just because those are among my favorites but because I feel they are the most important and successful. |
I tried to edit this last night but gave up after the capcha gave me crap and wouldn't let me repost. Anyway, what I wanted to say is that my fourth one(PF)could be interchangable with King Crimson. I like ELP also but not quite as much as the other two. I also like VDGG, Camel and GG but not as much as PF or KC also so KC would possibly be another one to complete the big four. I suppose it depends on my mood. If I'm going for more objective and less subjective as in who I think deserves it as far as influence and popularity among prog fans it would be KC for sure since they are more known(and accepted)as prog than PF. That being said if I was making a personal list I might rate Camel and VDGG higher than KC.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 11:03
Tapfret wrote:
I feel like this should be heads only, not whole bands.
1. Zappa 2. Gabriel with his flower head costume 3. The Gentle Giant bald, bearded mascot (which in the right light also serves as Francesco Di Giacomo) 4. An unfinished, complex jumble of boulders wearing Robert Fripp's glasses |
That works for me for the heads, although I'd quite like to see a The Residents eyeball-head with top hat on the mount.

We've talked about heads, but what about tails?
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Due to aesthetic considerations, I'd choose different "Prog" models for the less viewed backside of Mount Rushmore. Maybe a nod to Rush with the backside on Hemispheres, a nod to Yes with the backside from Going for the One, a nod to Guru Guru with the backside from Hinten, and Robert Wyatt's "rock bottom".
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Posted By: Peter
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 11:22
^ Ha ha!
------------- "And, has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy.
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Posted By: Argo2112
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 14:52
What it probably should be: Yes, Genesis, King Crimson & Pink Floyd(But I would probably put Rush in there personally)
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Posted By: Magnum Vaeltaja
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 15:20
Tapfret wrote:
I feel like this should be heads only, not whole bands.
1. Zappa 2. Gabriel with his flower head costume 3. The Gentle Giant bald, bearded mascot (which in the right light also serves as Francesco Di Giacomo) 4. An unfinished, complex jumble of boulders wearing Robert Fripp's glasses |
In that case, I think the most representative Mt. Rushmore of prog would probably have the Gentle Giant and Peter Gabriel in his flower hat, as you mentioned, and then I'd add: - The screaming face from the Court of the Crimson King album cover
- The skull from the Brain Salad Surgery cover
And the mountain itself would have to be floating in mid-air, Roger Dean style. Preferably in and around the lake, coming out of the sky... perhaps standing there.
And there'd likely be a fox on the rock, too.
------------- when i was a kid a doller was worth ten dollers - now a doller couldnt even buy you fifty cents
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Posted By: Walkscore
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 17:49
There is so much great music out there, from the original/classic 70s era to contemporary times, it seems disrespectful or something to have to narrow it down to a list of only three. Saying this, no matter how many get onto the list, for sure there would be Soft Machine.
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Posted By: Frenetic Zetetic
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 18:13
mechanicalflattery wrote:
Van Der Graaf Generator, King Crimson, and Gentle Giant make up the proverbial Holy Trinity of prog. If it qualifies, then Tangerine Dream rounds out the group to four. |
Agreed (especially GG)!
Other winning combinations could include:
Gentle Giant Yes Genesis
Yes King Crimson Genesis
VDGG Genesis Yes
I could go on and on...
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Posted By: Easy Money
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 18:29
The "Mount Rushmore of Prog" would include four trailblazing individuals, those four would be: Keith Emerson Jimi Hendrix Jon Lord Robert Fripp
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Posted By: Rednight
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 18:41
Wakeman, Hammill, Fripp, and Ian Anderson.
------------- "It just has none of the qualities of your work that I find interesting. Abandon [?] it." - Eno
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 20:24
If we are talking individuals for me it might be Jon Anderson, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman and Steve Howe or maybe Peter Gabriel, Geddy Lee, Phil Collins(as drummer) and Robert Fripp. You could also substitute some of those with Carl Palmer, Neil Peart, Tony Banks and John Wetton.
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 20:53
OK, yeah, giving it more thought and reading more replies if we are talking about 4 bands to represent prog, it would have to be: Yes, Genesis, ELP, and King Crimson.
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Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: December 20 2017 at 23:01
Dellinger wrote:
OK, yeah, giving it more thought and reading more replies if we are talking about 4 bands to represent prog, it would have to be: Yes, Genesis, ELP, and King Crimson. |
I agree, they've probably sold more records than the others (except for Pink Floyd perhaps).
If we truly want Mt. Rushmore, they should be faces, not bands:
-Rick Wakeman -Robert Fripp -Peter Gabriel -Greg Lake (sorry, I'd say Emerson but we needed some balance)
------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!!
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 00:16
Every time I think of Mt. Rushmore, all I can see is Deep Purple In Rock As to whom I’d like to see sculpted into a massive cliff-face - Peter Hammill Dave Stewart ( The Prog one, ha ha) Mikael Åkerfeldt Richard Sinclair David Gilmour Oh. Did I need to include a drummer ??
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Posted By: BaldFriede
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 05:19
Peter Hammill, Robert Fripp, Frank Zappa and Mani Neumeier. There has to be a representative of Krautrock on the monument
I would actually do it the way Deep Purple did and add a 5th head: Christian Vander.
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
BaldJean and I; I am the one in blue.
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Posted By: progaardvark
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 05:53
Instead of Mount Rushmore, why can't we just carve them all along the Rocky Mountains? That should be enough room for every artist on Prog Archives.
------------- ---------- i'm shopping for a new oil-cured sinus bag that's a happy bag of lettuce this car smells like cartilage nothing beats a good video about fractions
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 05:57
Including Gentle Giant is perhaps stretching things a bit. GG were never that important or successful back in the 70s yet with the internet they've become prog's equivalent to Nick Drake or Talk Talk; two acts that also 'conquered' the internet well after their active years.
Four heads representant of pork? Has to be Brits. Most prog fans I bump into do not think of Krautrock as prog (nor do I) and most other artists from outside of the UK were either influenced by the Brits or conversely didn't influence the genre in a manner that rivals the daddyos.
Four heads?
Emmo Fripp Gabriel Wakie
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
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Posted By: Upbeat Tango Monday
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 06:35
The big four are Yes, Genesis, ELP and KC. It might be the obvious pick, but it's entirely justified.
IF we are talking about individuals, I'd say Gabriel, Emerson, Hammill and Fripp. We can save some space for Wakeman as well.
------------- Two random guys agreed to shake hands. Just Because. They felt like it, you know. It was an agreement of sorts...a random agreement.
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 09:35
Guldbamsen wrote:
Including Gentle Giant is perhaps stretching things a bit. GG were never that important or successful back in the 70s yet with the internet they've become prog's equivalent to Nick Drake or Talk Talk; two acts that also 'conquered' the internet well after their active years.
Four heads representant of pork? Has to be Brits. Most prog fans I bump into do not think of Krautrock as prog (nor do I) and most other artists from outside of the UK were either influenced by the Brits or conversely didn't influence the genre in a manner that rivals the daddyos.
Four heads?
Emmo Fripp Gabriel Wakie |
Regarding your comment about Gentle Giant I actually disagree though because at one point they were as big as Genesis and even had an album that charted higher than they did(Free Hand placed higher on the charts than SEBTP). They also regularly filled concert halls within the 2-5,000 seat range(roughly the same as early Genesis also). No they probably weren't played on the radio much but neither were most prog bands aside from a few of the most well known(JT, PF, Yes, ELP especially). I can assure you they were the next band down after King Crimson in terms of influence and popularity then(and probably even now)so it's not some revisionist thing like you are implying. I see you are only 35 so you obviously weren't around at the time(neither was I but I have spent a lot of time researching this online and also have had discussions with people(on and offline) who are old enough and can assure you they were very important and big in prog circles back then). Also, maybe part of this depends on where you live. I'm referring to the US mostly. Apparently in the UK they were not as big so I can see why someone not from there might think that. Your statement could possibly apply to VDGG but imo not GG.
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 09:45
Sorry chaps, but any mount without Pink Floyd would only be a molehill.
------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 10:08
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
Guldbamsen wrote:
Including Gentle Giant is perhaps stretching things a bit. GG were never that important or successful back in the 70s yet with the internet they've become prog's equivalent to Nick Drake or Talk Talk; two acts that also 'conquered' the internet well after their active years.
Four heads representant of pork? Has to be Brits. Most prog fans I bump into do not think of Krautrock as prog (nor do I) and most other artists from outside of the UK were either influenced by the Brits or conversely didn't influence the genre in a manner that rivals the daddyos.
Four heads?
Emmo Fripp Gabriel Wakie |
Regarding your comment about Gentle Giant I actually disagree though because at one point they were as big as Genesis and even had an album that charted higher than they did(Free Hand placed higher on the charts than SEBTP). They also regularly filled concert halls within the 2-5,000 seat range(roughly the same as early Genesis also). No they probably weren't played on the radio much but neither were most prog bands aside from a few of the most well known(JT, PF, Yes, ELP especially). I can assure you they were the next band down after King Crimson in terms of influence and popularity then(and probably even now)so it's not some revisionist thing like you are implying. I see you are only 35 so you obviously weren't around at the time(neither was I but I have spent a lot of time researching this online and also have had discussions with people(on and offline) who are old enough and can assure you they were very important and big in prog circles back then). Also, maybe part of this depends on where you live. I'm referring to the US mostly. Apparently in the UK they were not as big so I can see why someone not from there might think that. Your statement could possibly apply to VDGG but imo not GG.
| I too have spoken to quite a few people who were there from the beginning - some I consider very good friends, and their stories on GG do not mirror your's. Then again we're parted by the Atlantic ocean so I guess they could've had more success overseas than here. But we are talking about mount rushmore - 4 faces to adorn mighty bedrock epitomizing prog rock the genre. Putting anyone from Gentle Giant there over a member of say Yes, Floyd, Crimso, Jethro or Genesis sounds more like playing favourites than an objective look on what happened.
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 10:22
SteveG wrote:
Sorry chaps, but any mount without Pink Floyd would only be a molehill. |
I would posit that a moored inflatable pig hovering over Mount Rushmore would enhance that monument, and indeed flying pigs over other notable sites such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Eiffel Tower, Buckingham Palace, the Erga Palace in Riyadh (okay, that definitely wouldn't fly, nor would others in my list), the Kremlin, the White House, and Ryongsong Residence in Pyongyang would elevate the structures (not literally). To those who disagree, I don't give a flying fig.
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Posted By: AFlowerKingCrimson
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 10:49
Guldbamsen wrote:
AFlowerKingCrimson wrote:
Guldbamsen wrote:
Including Gentle Giant is perhaps stretching things a bit. GG were never that important or successful back in the 70s yet with the internet they've become prog's equivalent to Nick Drake or Talk Talk; two acts that also 'conquered' the internet well after their active years.
Four heads representant of pork? Has to be Brits. Most prog fans I bump into do not think of Krautrock as prog (nor do I) and most other artists from outside of the UK were either influenced by the Brits or conversely didn't influence the genre in a manner that rivals the daddyos.
Four heads?
Emmo Fripp Gabriel Wakie |
Regarding your comment about Gentle Giant I actually disagree though because at one point they were as big as Genesis and even had an album that charted higher than they did(Free Hand placed higher on the charts than SEBTP). They also regularly filled concert halls within the 2-5,000 seat range(roughly the same as early Genesis also). No they probably weren't played on the radio much but neither were most prog bands aside from a few of the most well known(JT, PF, Yes, ELP especially). I can assure you they were the next band down after King Crimson in terms of influence and popularity then(and probably even now)so it's not some revisionist thing like you are implying. I see you are only 35 so you obviously weren't around at the time(neither was I but I have spent a lot of time researching this online and also have had discussions with people(on and offline) who are old enough and can assure you they were very important and big in prog circles back then). Also, maybe part of this depends on where you live. I'm referring to the US mostly. Apparently in the UK they were not as big so I can see why someone not from there might think that. Your statement could possibly apply to VDGG but imo not GG.
| I too have spoken to quite a few people who were there from the beginning - some I consider very good friends, and their stories on GG do not mirror your's. Then again we're parted by the Atlantic ocean so I guess they could've had more success overseas than here. But we are talking about mount rushmore - 4 faces to adorn mighty bedrock epitomizing prog rock the genre. Putting anyone from Gentle Giant there over a member of say Yes, Floyd, Crimso, Jethro or Genesis sounds more like playing favourites than an objective look on what happened. |
I definitely think that's the case. GG were probably much bigger in the US than in the UK. I think I've even heard that GG were not that big in their homeland but that was also the case for other bands as well. But since Mount Rushmore is in the US......;)
Actually, I wouldn't put GG in the Mount Rushmore either as far as personal preference goes. I think the sum was greater than their parts as far as members go. With Yes, Squire often seems to stand out(although Howe and Wakeman were no slouches either).
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Posted By: Squonk19
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 11:05
If you consider the 'classic eras' of each of them - it has to be the ones who truly shaped prog: Genesis Yes, ELP and King Crimson. Make a bit more room and you could squeeze in Pink Floyd and Rush - although I still consider them less 'prog' than the big 4 overall - as they straddle genres a lot more. I love Jethro Tull - but I think their 'prog' credentials are not always that strong ('Thick as a Brick' excepting) - although a damn fine rock band they definitely are!
------------- “Living in their pools, they soon forget about the sea.”
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 11:25
Usually the top 6 are asked about........I suppose for me it would be King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, and ELP.....though I might change that to Tull on any given day.
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin
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Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: December 21 2017 at 16:19
My Mount Rushmore would be simply symbolic:
Ian Anderson's codpiece Rick Wakeman's cape Robert Fripp's spectacles Peter Gabriel's old man mask and floating above it all, Pink Floyd's pig, Algie.
------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
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Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 07:57
^Brilliant!
------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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Posted By: BrufordFreak
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 07:59
Mellotron Hammond Flute and multiple tom-toms
------------- Drew Fisher https://progisaliveandwell.blogspot.com/
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Posted By: SteveG
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 08:02

------------- This message was brought to you by a proud supporter of the Deep State.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 17:31
BaldFriede wrote:
Peter Hammill, Robert Fripp, Frank Zappa and Mani Neumeier. There has to be a representative of Krautrock on the monument
I would actually do it the way Deep Purple did and add a 5th head: Christian Vander.
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Hey, if you want all 4 of them to be German then, by all means. It's your Mount Rushmore of Prog.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: December 22 2017 at 17:32
That's the point I was trying to stress with this, that it's whoever each of you wants it to be. Sure, if I was to be 100% objective and leave my own personal feelings COMPLETELY out of it.. then I would also come up with Yes, Genesis, ELP, and KC lol. But I'd still be real tempted to try to find some room for Gentle Giant and my man Zappa(I honestly feel they both should be there somehow). Thank you all for your responses so far. There've been some interesting ones lol.
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Posted By: dr wu23
Date Posted: December 23 2017 at 21:14
Ian Anderson wore a 'codpiece'...?
;)
------------- One does nothing yet nothing is left undone. Haquin
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Posted By: The Dark Elf
Date Posted: December 23 2017 at 22:05
dr wu23 wrote:
Ian Anderson wore a 'codpiece'...? |
Why, yes. As a matter of fact....
------------- ...a vigorous circular motion hitherto unknown to the people of this area, but destined to take the place of the mud shark in your mythology...
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 06:49
YESESIS wrote:
That's the point I was trying to stress with this, that it's whoever each of you wants it to be. Sure, if I was to be 100% objective and leave my own personal feelings COMPLETELY out of it.. then I would also come up with Yes, Genesis, ELP, and KC lol. But I'd still be real tempted to try to find some room for Gentle Giant and my man Zappa(I honestly feel they both should be there somehow). Thank you all for your responses so far. There've been some interesting ones lol. | Ahhh alrighty then
Franco Battiato David Gilmour Demetrio Stratos Dave Stewart
------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.”
- Douglas Adams
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 08:14
Guldbamsen wrote:
Ahhh alrighty then
Franco Battiato David Gilmour Demetrio Stratos Dave Stewart
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Now we're talking. 
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 08:51
So mine stands then.. I know it's not the official, objective list but it's my Mount Rushmore of Prog.
Yes
Genesis
Gentle Giant
Frank Zappa
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Posted By: Dopeydoc
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 15:27
Gentle Giant, Yes, Genesis, King Crimson
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Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 17:02
Tim Smith - Holger Czukay - Mark Hollis - Kate Bush
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Posted By: kenethlevine
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 22:28
Lewian wrote:
Tim Smith - Holger Czukay - Mark Hollis - Kate Bush
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bummer, I thought it might be Tim Smith from MIDLAKE but I'm guessing he's the one from the CARDIACS?
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Posted By: Mortte
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 22:44
Wigwam - Pink Floyd - King Crimson - Jethro Tull
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Posted By: Tom Ozric
Date Posted: December 24 2017 at 23:01
.......ha, dopey me......I always thought it had 5 heads (like Deep Purple.......)
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Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: December 25 2017 at 03:32
kenethlevine wrote:
Lewian wrote:
Tim Smith - Holger Czukay - Mark Hollis - Kate Bush
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bummer, I thought it might be Tim Smith from MIDLAKE but I'm guessing he's the one from the CARDIACS? |
Yep, Cardiacs Tim is my man.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: December 25 2017 at 11:48
Tom Ozric wrote:
.......ha, dopey me......I always thought it had 5 heads (like Deep Purple.......) |
If there is a fifth then I'm definitely adding Saga. Been listening to their Silent Knight album today and man is it good. They are so underrated I can't believe it. Edit: I love and respect the heck out of ELP, as evidenced by my avi. But 4 great albums(truly great I mean) just isn't enough. No matter how great and IMPORTANT those albums may be.. at least for my, personal, Mount Rushmore of Prog.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: December 25 2017 at 11:55
Glad to see people are really making this their own now and not just all going with the standard Yes, Genesis, ELP, and KC.. and not that there's anything wrong with that if those truly are your 4 favorite prog artists.
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Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: December 25 2017 at 12:18
ATM it would go like this: 60s/70s: Yes, Kaipa, Todd Rundgren, The Beatles Modern: Roine Stolt, Neal Morse, The Tangent, Big Big Train
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: December 25 2017 at 20:10
OK, if I'm going with my non objective list, and going the Deep Purple way and using 5 artists, then it's my personal top 5 (I couldn't go into a top 6, or 10, or whatever, because then I wouldn't know where to stop): Pink Floyd, Yes, Dream Theater, Rick Wakeman, and Mike Oldfield.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: December 26 2017 at 16:06
Dellinger wrote:
OK, if I'm going with my non objective list, and going the Deep Purple way and using 5 artists, then it's my personal top 5 (I couldn't go into a top 6, or 10, or whatever, because then I wouldn't know where to stop): Pink Floyd, Yes, Dream Theater, Rick Wakeman, and Mike Oldfield. |
I think I've seen this top 5 list somewhere before lol.
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: December 26 2017 at 17:16
YESESIS wrote:
Dellinger wrote:
OK, if I'm going with my non objective list, and going the Deep Purple way and using 5 artists, then it's my personal top 5 (I couldn't go into a top 6, or 10, or whatever, because then I wouldn't know where to stop): Pink Floyd, Yes, Dream Theater, Rick Wakeman, and Mike Oldfield. |
I think I've seen this top 5 list somewhere before lol. <div ="amp-viewer-wrapper amp-viewer-is-touch" style="display: none;"><div ="amp-viewer"><div ="amp-viewer-er" style="trans: translate3d0px, 0px, 0px;"><span ="amp-viewer-icon amp-viewer-icon-"><svg ns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" ns:x="http://www.w3.org/1999/x" version="1.1" x="0px" y="0px" view="0 0 100 125" style="enable-:new 0 0 100 100;" :space="preserve"><path d="M88.8,77.5L60.6,49.3l28.2-28.2c1.2-1.2,1.2-3.1,0-4.2l-8.5-8.5L50,38.7L19.6,8.3l-8.5,8.5c-1.2,1.2-1.2,3.1,0,4.2 l28.2,28.2L11.2,77.5c-1.2,1.2-1.2,3.1,0,4.2l8.5,8.5L50,59.9l30.4,30.4l8.5-8.5C90,80.6,90,78.7,88.8,77.5z"></path></svg></span><div ="amp-viewer-er-main"><div ="amp-viewer-" style="trans: translate3d0px, 0px, 0px;"> |
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Posted By: miamiscot
Date Posted: December 27 2017 at 08:06
Heads only:
Frank Zappa Robert Fripp Peter Gabriel Rick Wakeman
Bands:
Yes Genesis King Crimson Pink Floyd
Modern Heads:
Steven Wilson Roine Stolt Neal Morse John Petrucci
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Posted By: RoeDent
Date Posted: December 30 2017 at 05:02
miamiscot wrote:
Modern Heads:
Steven Wilson Roine Stolt Neal Morse John Petrucci |
Yep. I'm fine with this for Modern Mt. Progmore.
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Posted By: ElliotYork
Date Posted: January 02 2018 at 04:53
Classic bands:
Pink Floyd Rush Yes (Last spot is a tough, to be honest, but I guess I'll default to King Crimson for creating what is recognised as the first TRUE prog album)
Modern bands:
Dream Theater Symphony X Porcupine Tree Haken (VERY modern compared to the others, but I honestly believe they are operating in a special place right now)
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Posted By: SamMac
Date Posted: January 05 2018 at 11:04
Van der Graaf Generator, Rush, Genesis, Yes
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 05 2018 at 11:33
YESESIS wrote:
BaldFriede wrote:
Peter Hammill, Robert Fripp, Frank Zappa and Mani Neumeier. There has to be a representative of Krautrock on the monument
I would actually do it the way Deep Purple did and add a 5th head: Christian Vander.
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Hey, if you want all 4 of them to be German then, by all means. It's your Mount Rushmore of Prog. |
Had the Axis won the war, perhaps they all would be German on Berg Rushmore. Erm, too soon for such a joke? Maybe in another 70 years.
Ah... , I just wanted to come up with another list of five heads. So...
Robert Wyatt Robert Fripp Tim Smith
And I wanted to add a member of Can, but I couldn't decide which one, so instead I'd just put a can up there, which by seeming coincidence as I just remembered from my Navy days is also a sort of "head".

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Posted By: jayem
Date Posted: January 05 2018 at 11:43
Faces of some not so well known prog musicians will wonderfully do. They fit the Rushmore concept very, very well !!
------------- http://www.digger.ch/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - Support mine-clearing ! https://bandcamp.com/machinechance/?lang=en" rel="nofollow - bandcamp collection
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 05 2018 at 15:36
I see people are really making this their own now, right on. So, if we're just going with heads then and not whole bands.. hmmm. For now I'll do this.
Frank Zappa(obviously)
Peter Gabriel
I'll get flack for this one but.. my man Phil Collins
From Yes I gotta go with Chris Squire(his bass is just so prominent in a lot of their classic stuff)
Edit: If I added one more(to make 5) it would be Carl Palmer.
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: January 05 2018 at 17:30
IAN ANDERSON EDGAR FROESE KERRY LIVGREN CHRIS SQUIRE
------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: January 05 2018 at 22:11
OK, only faces... Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel (with his flower costume), Rick Wakeman, and Ian Anderson, I guess. For a fifth one... perhaps Keith Emerson, or Frank Zappa as you have said so much, or Roger Waters.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 15:18
Dellinger wrote:
OK, only faces... Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel (with his flower costume), Rick Wakeman, and Ian Anderson, I guess. For a fifth one... perhaps Keith Emerson, or Frank Zappa as you have said so much, or Roger Waters. |
Hey we have two that are the same, Zappa and Gabriel. Right on.
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Posted By: HackettFan
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 15:22
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus
------------- A curse upon the heads of those who seek their fortunes in a lie. The truth is always waiting when there's nothing left to try. - Colin Henson, Jade Warrior (Now)
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Posted By: Argos
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 16:13
For me it would be Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis and Wishbone Ash.
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Posted By: Quinino
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 16:34
This one's easy: Hammill, Squire, Hackett & Bruford
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Posted By: ForestFriend
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 17:25
If there's a Mount Rushmore of Prog, then what would its equivalent of a Crazy Horse Memorial? Is it going to be a progressive classical composer whose influence on prog isn't often recognized? A punk musician? Neil Young?
------------- https://borealkinship.bandcamp.com/releases" rel="nofollow - My prog band - Boreal Kinship
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:03
HackettFan wrote:
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus |
Genesis and Zappa, that's right! The other two though.. I don't know ANYTHING about lol. I'll have to run straight to Wikipedia and do some research here.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:12
Argos wrote:
For me it would be Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Genesis and Wishbone Ash. |
If Wishbone Ash counts then.. they happen to be my favorite band so. But I believe on here they are listed as 'Prog Related.' So I feel a little funny about putting them on my "Mount Rushmore of Prog." They definitely have some proggy elements to some of their stuff, for sure. But then, over the course of their discography, they have elements of a lot of things. They're probably the most eclectic band that I know of(a big part of what I love about them). Anyway, awesome to see them on someone's list here though.. And welcome!
Cool avi btw.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:15
ForestFriend wrote:
If there's a Mount Rushmore of Prog, then what would its equivalent of a Crazy Horse Memorial? Is it going to be a progressive classical composer whose influence on prog isn't often recognized? A punk musician? Neil Young?
|
Ummm.. good question.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:15
Quinino wrote:
This one's easy: Hammill, Squire, Hackett & Bruford
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Well, you got three of them right lol.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:18
YESESIS wrote:
HackettFan wrote:
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus |
Genesis and Zappa, that's right! The other two though.. I don't know ANYTHING about lol. I'll have to run straight to Wikipedia and do some research here. |
Focis is, imo, utterly essential. You might have heard "Hocus Pocus" before on classic rock radio. I love the first four albums, and but both Hamurger Concerto and Moving Waves I think you should check out pronto, and Focus 3 too. It was my favourite band at one time, has exciting, beautiful, majestic and humorous music. Amazing band. I think someone who digs Zappa, Gentle Giant, ELP and various symphonic music could potentially really fall for it. Yeah, I think you need to hear it. I'm playing Moving Waves right now, been too long. and I've called Hamburger Concerto a meaty masterpiece. Focus 3 is also terrific, brillantly jazzy. The first four are essential I think, and which of those I like best depends on the the day. But I like later albums too.
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Posted By: Soysauce007
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:24
If its heads only, I'd go: Daevid Allen, Ian Anderson, Geddy Lee, and perhaps Frans Krassenburg...
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:29
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
HackettFan wrote:
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus |
Genesis and Zappa, that's right! The other two though.. I don't know ANYTHING about lol. I'll have to run straight to Wikipedia and do some research here. |
Focis is, imo, utterly essential. You might have heard "Hocus Pocus" before on classic rock radio. I love the first four albums, and but both Hamurger Concerto and Moving Waves I think you should check out pronto. It was my favourite band at one time, has exciting, beautiful, majestic and humorous music. Amazing band. I think someone who digs Zappa, Gentle Giant, ELP and various symphonic music could potentially really fall for it. Yeah, I think you need to hear it. I'm playing Moving Waves right now, been too long. and I've called Hamburger Concerto a meaty masterpiece. |
Yeah, that Focus Hocus Pocus sounds really familiar(I mean hearing those words together, not sure about the actual song yet). Ok, definitely sounds like a band that I need to check out quick, fast, and in a hurry. If they're a former favorite band of yours then.. I'm thinking they have to be good. Thanks for the input man.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:30
Soysauce007 wrote:
If its heads only, I'd go: Daevid Allen, Ian Anderson, Geddy Lee, and perhaps Frans Krassenburg... |
Interesting list. Welcome!
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Posted By: Soysauce007
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:40
Love Focus' live album, they went a bit 'normal' for me in their later incarnations though. The Vertigo label psychedelically spinning in the middle of Jade Warrior albums my dad played - my awesome childhood intro to prog. I'm surprised you'd have Focus and JW on Mount Progmore though, like, as the biggest greats of prog of all time.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:41
YESESIS wrote:
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
HackettFan wrote:
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus |
Genesis and Zappa, that's right! The other two though.. I don't know ANYTHING about lol. I'll have to run straight to Wikipedia and do some research here. |
Focis is, imo, utterly essential. You might have heard "Hocus Pocus" before on classic rock radio. I love the first four albums, and but both Hamurger Concerto and Moving Waves I think you should check out pronto. It was my favourite band at one time, has exciting, beautiful, majestic and humorous music. Amazing band. I think someone who digs Zappa, Gentle Giant, ELP and various symphonic music could potentially really fall for it. Yeah, I think you need to hear it. I'm playing Moving Waves right now, been too long. and I've called Hamburger Concerto a meaty masterpiece. |
Yeah, that Focus Hocus Pocus sounds really familiar(I mean hearing those words together, not sure about the actual song yet). Ok, definitely sounds like a band that I need to check out quick, fast, and in a hurry. If they're a former favorite band of yours then.. I'm thinking they have to be good. Thanks for the input man. |
I've got some out there tastes, and most I would not recommend, and some music I like that even I don't think is good, but Focus is one that I love that I really believe is genuinely great and you might love too. They have chops, huge beauty, a sense of fun -- got it all going on. Focus 3 I really love too. Which of the first four I love most depends on the day. It's also one of the few bands that I've continued to love over many years. Later ones are really good too, imo. Happy listening (methinks excessive excitement can be a turn off so I'm trying to reign it in). Just didn't know you didn't know it yet, would have recommended it before. I think of Focus as a really big name in Prog, but it's not (so called second tier I think, or third maybe) and it doesn't come up much around the forum any more. It used to get mentioned a lot around here in various discussion threads.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 19:49
Soysauce007 wrote:
Love Focus' live album, they went a bit 'normal' for me in their later incarnations though. The Vertigo label psychedelically spinning in the middle of Jade Warrior albums my dad played - my awesome childhood intro to prog. I'm surprised you'd have Focus and JW on Mount Progmore though, like, as the biggest greats of prog of all time. |
I don't have the live (1973 , I checked). Hamburger Concerto (1974) does suffer, I think, with the departure of the jazzy drumming of Pierre van der Linden. Colin Allen is very typical and dull, but I still think the album HC is magnificent (especially the self-titled track). I think last I was listening to Focus much my favourite was the third. Listening to Focus 3 now, just great.
EDIT: As for what's mounted on that high Prog Rock, it's just taste. It is set to depend on personal taste (subjective rather than objective merits). At one time my four would have been Focus, Gryphon, Premiata Forneria Marconi, and Gentle Giant. If we all went for what we've been conditioned to think of as the biggest greats in prog (whether we like them or not, cause of course you can think a band is great without liking it), then the lists would all be similar.
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 23:29
YESESIS wrote:
Dellinger wrote:
OK, only faces... Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel (with his flower costume), Rick Wakeman, and Ian Anderson, I guess. For a fifth one... perhaps Keith Emerson, or Frank Zappa as you have said so much, or Roger Waters. |
Hey we have two that are the same, Zappa and Gabriel. Right on. |
Well, those one I wrote there weren't so much because of how much I like their music, but rather because of how iconic their looks are for the prog world
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: January 06 2018 at 23:37
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
HackettFan wrote:
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus |
Genesis and Zappa, that's right! The other two though.. I don't know ANYTHING about lol. I'll have to run straight to Wikipedia and do some research here. |
Focis is, imo, utterly essential. You might have heard "Hocus Pocus" before on classic rock radio. I love the first four albums, and but both Hamurger Concerto and Moving Waves I think you should check out pronto. It was my favourite band at one time, has exciting, beautiful, majestic and humorous music. Amazing band. I think someone who digs Zappa, Gentle Giant, ELP and various symphonic music could potentially really fall for it. Yeah, I think you need to hear it. I'm playing Moving Waves right now, been too long. and I've called Hamburger Concerto a meaty masterpiece. |
Yeah, that Focus Hocus Pocus sounds really familiar(I mean hearing those words together, not sure about the actual song yet). Ok, definitely sounds like a band that I need to check out quick, fast, and in a hurry. If they're a former favorite band of yours then.. I'm thinking they have to be good. Thanks for the input man. |
I've got some out there tastes, and most I would not recommend, and some music I like that even I don't think is good, but Focus is one that I love that I really believe is genuinely great and you might love too. They have chops, huge beauty, a sense of fun -- got it all going on. Focus 3 I really love too. Which of the first four I love most depends on the day. It's also one of the few bands that I've continued to love over many years. Later ones are really good too, imo. Happy listening (methinks excessive excitement can be a turn off so I'm trying to reign it in). Just didn't know you didn't know it yet, would have recommended it before. I think of Focus as a really big name in Prog, but it's not (so called second tier I think, or third maybe) and it doesn't come up much around the forum any more. It used to get mentioned a lot around here in various discussion threads. |
I second the Focus recommendation... really wonderful band. For me, check out Hamburger Concerto first. Yeah, they might have lost an edge with the change of drummer (Van der Linden was just wonderful... I guess the change could be compaired to when Yes lost Bruford and replaced him with White), but the album as a whole is my favourite from them. Moving Waves is another great one too. Well, I guess every album up to Hamburger Concerto should be checked out.
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Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 01:23
Dellinger wrote:
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
HackettFan wrote:
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus |
Genesis and Zappa, that's right! The other two though.. I don't know ANYTHING about lol. I'll have to run straight to Wikipedia and do some research here. |
Focus is, imo, utterly essential. You might have heard "Hocus Pocus" before on classic rock radio. I love the first four albums, and but both Hamurger Concerto and Moving Waves I think you should check out pronto. It was my favourite band at one time, has exciting, beautiful, majestic and humorous music. Amazing band. I think someone who digs Zappa, Gentle Giant, ELP and various symphonic music could potentially really fall for it. Yeah, I think you need to hear it. I'm playing Moving Waves right now, been too long. and I've called Hamburger Concerto a meaty masterpiece. |
Yeah, that Focus Hocus Pocus sounds really familiar(I mean hearing those words together, not sure about the actual song yet). Ok, definitely sounds like a band that I need to check out quick, fast, and in a hurry. If they're a former favorite band of yours then.. I'm thinking they have to be good. Thanks for the input man. |
I've got some out there tastes, and most I would not recommend, and some music I like that even I don't think is good, but Focus is one that I love that I really believe is genuinely great and you might love too. They have chops, huge beauty, a sense of fun -- got it all going on. Focus 3 I really love too. Which of the first four I love most depends on the day. It's also one of the few bands that I've continued to love over many years. Later ones are really good too, imo. Happy listening (methinks excessive excitement can be a turn off so I'm trying to reign it in). Just didn't know you didn't know it yet, would have recommended it before. I think of Focus as a really big name in Prog, but it's not (so called second tier I think, or third maybe) and it doesn't come up much around the forum any more. It used to get mentioned a lot around here in various discussion threads. |
I second the Focus recommendation... really wonderful band. For me, check out Hamburger Concerto first. Yeah, they might have lost an edge with the change of drummer (Van der Linden was just wonderful... I guess the chance could be compared to when Yes lost Bruford and replaced him with White), but the album as a whole is my favourite from them. Moving Waves is another great one too. Well, I guess every album up to Hamburger Concerto should be checked out. |
Very good analogy with Bruford. Hamburger Conerto is an, imo, mesmerising album even if the drumming lost some creativity. They wanted more of a straight rock drummer for it and maybe that approach does fit the music and concept more (the rock take on more classical style music).
I would also check out Hamburger Concerto first -- it's the album that made me a fan and is definitely the ones I have turned to the most over the years. "The Hamburger Concerto" suite is just one of the most glorious moments in prog, in my opinion. I've had goosebumps from it, but the whole album is great, including the "Hocus Pocus" like "Harem Scarem" (the riffs of which remind me very much of Miles Davis "It's About That Time" off In a Silent Way).
Incidentally, the title is a pastiche of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos (a favourite of mine as child), a bit of a P.D.Q. Bach thing to do, and the title track is based on Variations on a Theme by Haydn by Johannes Brahms. I grew up with classical music, and my Dad's favourite composer was Brahms. He would have hated Hamburger Concerto, but then he loathed rock music, but I got more out of with my background growing up with classical music. That said, one doesn't need the background to appreciate it. Great album.
I do think that there's some later really good Focus music too even on low rated albums such as Mother Focus (I love Bennie Helder and the title track), but for me the first four are all essential. Hamburger, then Moving waves, then the more jazz Focus 3, and then the first, I think. Hopefully you'll be hooked. Although Focus is a well-respected band in prog circles, it's one that I think deserves a wider audience. On classic rock radio they referred to the band as one hit wonder (for Hocus Pocus) -- I think both Sylvia and House of the King also got a lot of radio play (and House of the King was the theme song of a British comedy I like very much starring Steve Coogan called Saxondale. Just a bit of trivia.
----------------------------------
My new Prog Rushmore (that name has stuck with me). This time by band:
Area Art Zoyd Can Popol Vuh
I would have included Focus, but I opted to focus on some others.
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Posted By: mlkpad14
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 07:54
I guess I am a little late to the party.
Bands (going with 5): Genesis Van Der Graaf Generator Riverside Gong Soft Machine
Solo Artists (6 this time, if that is okay): Steve Hackett Peter Hammill Robert Wyatt John Petrucci Robert Fripp Steven Wilson
------------- https://gamecrazyprofessional.weebly.com/
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Posted By: mlkpad14
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 07:56
I would have also liked to get some sort of RPI in there. PFM or Banco...
------------- https://gamecrazyprofessional.weebly.com/
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 13:48
I listened to Hamburger Concerto and Moving Waves today and.. well.. I liked the first song on Moving Waves. Was jamming out to that(yes I've certainly heard it before on the radio), but umm.. and the first album didn't really get good until like the second half of it. A lot to wade through before that though.
Maybe they're an acquired taste. For a very long time I considered Zappa stupid and obnoxious, so you never know. On the plus side though, I've been liking VdGG a lot more lately(they're finally starting to click for me). And that other band you recommended Logan, Tangerine Dream I like a whole lot.. awesome to meditate to. Oh and Cardiacs, I like what I've heard so far from them a lot. Can't win 'em all I guess. Thank you both for your input though.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 13:50
mlkpad14 wrote:
I guess I am a little late to the party.
Bands (going with 5): Genesis Van Der Graaf Generator Riverside Gong Soft Machine
Solo Artists (6 this time, if that is okay): Steve Hackett Peter Hammill Robert Wyatt John Petrucci Robert Fripp Steven Wilson |
Yeah, some good selections there. Right on.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 14:06
Dellinger wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
Dellinger wrote:
OK, only faces... Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel (with his flower costume), Rick Wakeman, and Ian Anderson, I guess. For a fifth one... perhaps Keith Emerson, or Frank Zappa as you have said so much, or Roger Waters. |
Hey we have two that are the same, Zappa and Gabriel. Right on. |
Well, those one I wrote there weren't so much because of how much I like their music, but rather because of how iconic their looks are for the prog world  |
I really think you should give Zappa another chance man. Listen to One Size Fits All, or Hot Rats, or The Grand Wazoo.. I'd be shocked if you didn't like those albums.
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Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 15:10
If I didn't miss anything, I'm still the only one who nominated a woman.
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Posted By: Thatfabulousalien
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 15:56
Mt Rushmore? idk.
King Crimson is the philosophers stone though
------------- Classical music isn't dead, it's more alive than it's ever been. It's just not on MTV.
https://www.soundcloud.com/user-322914325
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 21:15
Logan wrote:
Dellinger wrote:
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
Logan wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
HackettFan wrote:
Genesis Frank Zappa Jade Warrior Focus |
Genesis and Zappa, that's right! The other two though.. I don't know ANYTHING about lol. I'll have to run straight to Wikipedia and do some research here. |
Focus is, imo, utterly essential. You might have heard "Hocus Pocus" before on classic rock radio. I love the first four albums, and but both Hamurger Concerto and Moving Waves I think you should check out pronto. It was my favourite band at one time, has exciting, beautiful, majestic and humorous music. Amazing band. I think someone who digs Zappa, Gentle Giant, ELP and various symphonic music could potentially really fall for it. Yeah, I think you need to hear it. I'm playing Moving Waves right now, been too long. and I've called Hamburger Concerto a meaty masterpiece. |
Yeah, that Focus Hocus Pocus sounds really familiar(I mean hearing those words together, not sure about the actual song yet). Ok, definitely sounds like a band that I need to check out quick, fast, and in a hurry. If they're a former favorite band of yours then.. I'm thinking they have to be good. Thanks for the input man. |
I've got some out there tastes, and most I would not recommend, and some music I like that even I don't think is good, but Focus is one that I love that I really believe is genuinely great and you might love too. They have chops, huge beauty, a sense of fun -- got it all going on. Focus 3 I really love too. Which of the first four I love most depends on the day. It's also one of the few bands that I've continued to love over many years. Later ones are really good too, imo. Happy listening (methinks excessive excitement can be a turn off so I'm trying to reign it in). Just didn't know you didn't know it yet, would have recommended it before. I think of Focus as a really big name in Prog, but it's not (so called second tier I think, or third maybe) and it doesn't come up much around the forum any more. It used to get mentioned a lot around here in various discussion threads. |
I second the Focus recommendation... really wonderful band. For me, check out Hamburger Concerto first. Yeah, they might have lost an edge with the change of drummer (Van der Linden was just wonderful... I guess the chance could be compared to when Yes lost Bruford and replaced him with White), but the album as a whole is my favourite from them. Moving Waves is another great one too. Well, I guess every album up to Hamburger Concerto should be checked out. |
Very good analogy with Bruford. Hamburger Conerto is an, imo, mesmerising album even if the drumming lost some creativity. They wanted more of a straight rock drummer for it and maybe that approach does fit the music and concept more (the rock take on more classical style music).
I would also check out Hamburger Concerto first -- it's the album that made me a fan and is definitely the ones I have turned to the most over the years. "The Hamburger Concerto" suite is just one of the most glorious moments in prog, in my opinion. I've had goosebumps from it, but the whole album is great, including the "Hocus Pocus" like "Harem Scarem" (the riffs of which remind me very much of Miles Davis "It's About That Time" off In a Silent Way).
Incidentally, the title is a pastiche of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos (a favourite of mine as child), a bit of a P.D.Q. Bach thing to do, and the title track is based on Variations on a Theme by Haydn by Johannes Brahms. I grew up with classical music, and my Dad's favourite composer was Brahms. He would have hated Hamburger Concerto, but then he loathed rock music, but I got more out of with my background growing up with classical music. That said, one doesn't need the background to appreciate it. Great album.
I do think that there's some later really good Focus music too even on low rated albums such as Mother Focus (I love Bennie Helder and the title track), but for me the first four are all essential. Hamburger, then Moving waves, then the more jazz Focus 3, and then the first, I think. Hopefully you'll be hooked. Although Focus is a well-respected band in prog circles, it's one that I think deserves a wider audience. On classic rock radio they referred to the band as one hit wonder (for Hocus Pocus) -- I think both Sylvia and House of the King also got a lot of radio play (and House of the King was the theme song of a British comedy I like very much starring Steve Coogan called Saxondale. Just a bit of trivia.
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My new Prog Rushmore (that name has stuck with me). This time by band:
Area Art Zoyd Can Popol Vuh
I would have included Focus, but I opted to focus on some others. |
I do like Harem Scarem, but somehow when I listen to it I end up wishing I was listening to Hocus Pocus instead. From Hamburger Concerto, the song that I love most besides the title track is Birth.
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 21:19
YESESIS wrote:
I listened to Hamburger Concerto and Moving Waves today and.. well.. I liked the first song on Moving Waves. Was jamming out to that(yes I've certainly heard it before on the radio), but umm.. and the first album didn't really get good until like the second half of it. A lot to wade through before that though.
Maybe they're an acquired taste. For a very long time I considered Zappa stupid and obnoxious, so you never know. On the plus side though, I've been liking VdGG a lot more lately(they're finally starting to click for me). And that other band you recommended Logan, Tangerine Dream I like a whole lot.. awesome to meditate to. Oh and Cardiacs, I like what I've heard so far from them a lot. Can't win 'em all I guess. Thank you both for your input though. |
Yeah, Hocus Pocus is great. It is surely a song that could be shown, and perhaps even liked, to non proggers... even though it's totally prog and totally weird... but that riff... however, perhaps you should focus on the Hamburger Concerto suite. If you love those classic prog epics from the british bands, you should end up loving that one too.
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Posted By: Dellinger
Date Posted: January 07 2018 at 21:22
YESESIS wrote:
Dellinger wrote:
YESESIS wrote:
Dellinger wrote:
OK, only faces... Robert Fripp, Peter Gabriel (with his flower costume), Rick Wakeman, and Ian Anderson, I guess. For a fifth one... perhaps Keith Emerson, or Frank Zappa as you have said so much, or Roger Waters. |
Hey we have two that are the same, Zappa and Gabriel. Right on. |
Well, those one I wrote there weren't so much because of how much I like their music, but rather because of how iconic their looks are for the prog world  |
I really think you should give Zappa another chance man. Listen to One Size Fits All, or Hot Rats, or The Grand Wazoo.. I'd be shocked if you didn't like those albums. |
Yeah, I have been up to giving him a fair chance for some time now, I just haven't gotten to it. I mean, it's one of the most important prog artists on the US (and there aren't so many of them, at least not from the 60's / 70's, compared to the british ones that did hit big), and I guess he should be considered among the first artists doing prog, perhaps even before King Crimson themselves.
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Posted By: YESESIS
Date Posted: January 08 2018 at 17:16
Dellinger wrote:
Yeah, Hocus Pocus is great. It is surely a song that could be shown, and perhaps even liked, to non proggers... even though it's totally prog and totally weird... but that riff... however, perhaps you should focus on the Hamburger Concerto suite. If you love those classic prog epics from the british bands, you should end up loving that one too. |
Yeah, I really want to like this band. I'll take your advice and just concentrate on that and maybe try to find some other stuff that I like from them as well. Sometimes that works, if I can find a bunch of things I like then I can go back and sort of put the pieces together from there. Thanks.
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