Why isn’t Prog more popular?

my theory is that these days the media controls society and especially the music people listen to...and what is the media driven by? what else but money

Prog has always been a form of music that has been less of a money making business.  The artists who produce prog obviously have a greater priority in the music then money. Why? Because they do more for less.  All these prog artists are plenty talented to produce mainstream music out of their asses and likely make more money in doing so, but instead they choose to unselfishly make a contribution to culture and society  and the artists. 

Because of prog being less of a business then say pop music, the media tends to condemn it from becoming more popular because it will be out of their own pockets.

Trouserpress wrote: xhamasaki wrote: if they create something creative, intelligent and different, wouldnt that make them progressive? lol you said yourself trouser that they would only have a slim cult following.  Why is this?  Why can't people that make intelligent, creative, and different music have bigger fan bases? I just don't get it Because, as I said many posts back DIFFERENT PEOPLE WANT DIFFERENT THINGS FROM MUSIC. Some people, like us, want something artistic and creative - a CHALLENGE. Some people want something emotional, with touching sentimental lyrics and a melody they can hum along to. Some people want to look cool and will go with whatever is the media trend. We may pity them but it's their choice - I know many intelligent people who still take this route with choosing music. Some people want music to dance to. Prog's not for them, is it? Progressive music is for people who want something very specific, the aforementioned challenge. You don't have to be the sharpest tool in the box to want that, and your suggestion to the contrary is what put mine and other's backs up.

Sensible, well rounded answer/s to a reasonable question to why the prog isn't percieved as popular.

It's not so much a matter of intellect as wanting to appear cool and safely sticking with the media trend in order not to distance yourself from your peers. Its a strong deterrent from what is increaingly becoming an obscure musical genre.

On the subject of dancing to prog, I once dared a DJ friend of mine to put ELP's 'Hoedown' into one of his mixes in a packed club. The result was one of the greatest comedy moments I have ever witnessed on the dancefloor But a bit of a novelty nonetheless.

Interestingly, the few of my friends in work that have tried to get Live 8 tickets have only done so because they are really interested in seeing a reformed Pink Floyd live on stage so go figure

Also, I've also wondered why prog is'nt more popular with Women (at least I havn't met any women that like prog, Mrs comicbookguy is not a fan, .god knows, Ive tried). You'd think though, that things lasting in excess of 20 minuites and with varying rythums that it would appeal to them

comicbookguy wrote: Also, I've also wondered why prog is'nt more popular with Women (I havn't met any, Mrs comicbookguy is not a fan, .god knows, Ive tried). You'd think though, that things lasting in excess of 20 minuites and with varying rythums that it would appeal to them

Thanks for your comments on my post too - I thought it was a reasonable explanation, but it seemed to go largely unnoticed by our thread starter.

Even though I'm no expert on the subject, I've been listening to prog for some time now.  Even before I heard the word prog, I was listening to it.  I enjoy Yes, Kansas, and Rush in particular.

It's my belief that the best music will never truly sell. I am much more devoted to jazz and 20th century concert music than I'll ever be to prog. Jazz and concert musicians are by far superior to prog musicians; I won't even argue the point. And there are some very intelligent folks who make this music and who listen to it. You just can't compare Rush to Rachmaninoff.

You may be right: teenie boppers who are listening to top 40 crap usually aren't that intelligent nor are they musically sophisticated which is why my children are daily exposed to good music.

I don't want my kid's heads filled with the junk being played on the radio and MTV....

Yes, prog is an improvement on most rock. But I sill couldn't classify it as "art". That word is thrown around too much these days. There is a difference in art and entertainment.

I hope my kids will understand the difference.

For my two penn'th I'd like to put it down to time to listen. We live in a cash rich, time poor society (OK this may not be the case where you come from and I don't want to get into a separate arguement - just look at it from my narrow perspective) we also live in a disposable society (same arguement). There is more money in disposable music. I believe proggers are prepared to devote more time to really listen to the music, to get into the music. I don't think you can do this and do other things. Take my example. Before marriage, home, kids etc I had plenty of time to get into prog. Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, TD, Focus, Kayak. Then for 15-20 years listening to prog was a rare luxury. Now house is nearly there, kids are more independent and I have more time. A late evening with headphones and a new band/album is more regular and I have the time to appreciate it more.

Back to the disposable arguement - how many reviews are sent in for 60's/70's/80's albums? Loads. What do we hear about old disposables? They are being given away free with newspapers at regular intervals. I think it says something about proggers. Its not that they are more intelligent - more likely more cultured and learned and certainly appreciative. Even so there are still a lot of progressive music that I have heard but can't get into. Probably because i haven't the time as I catch up for the last 15 odd years.

Who's the greatest progger? - Why Beethoven of course

Currently listening to Satellite, Carptree, Collage

Another point worth considering.

Putting aside the apparent 'uncoolness' factor that prog music is apparently associated with, is it a sign of the times that nobody has the 'patience' for progressive music? From a personal perspective , I myself have had to listen to all most off favorite albums about 3 or 4 times before I actually began to enjoy them. Who these days has the attentiveness to actually take the time to 'analyse' what it is they are listening to? Are contemporary listeners prepared to make an effort to warm to  music that is usually ingeniously different, but not that accessible?

Oh and a while back in this thread someone was enquiring if there was a 'top quality rap artist'.

How about Beck?

It's not about Genre, it's about audiences.