Britain and Prog

Blacksword wrote: The Wizard wrote: Sometimes I wish I was British. Why would you wish that? Because we arguably make better prog? Be proud of where you come from, mate  America is a great country, let down only by it's politicians! Besides,  a lot of great music has come from the US: The Doors, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Aerosmith (70's) Van Halen, Kansas, Zappa, The Pixies, Mountain, Talking Heads..etc..

ENGLAND ROCKS! 

Macan's "Rocking the Classics" really explores at this question well.

But, in my opinion, it partly has to do with the fact that England is an island, and a rather developed one at that. It's like a hot house, where musical ideas reach critical mass quickly, where the competitive pressure is more intense. So out of that bubbling cauldron of musical ideas, energy, egos, and sexuality, out of that emerges a Yes, a Genesis, an ELP, a Led Zeppelin, and then they come over to America and blow away our laid back and slow-witted minds.

The Wizard wrote: Sometimes I wish I was British.

Why would you wish that? Because we arguably make better prog?

Be proud of where you come from, mate  America is a great country, let down only by it's politicians!

Besides,  a lot of great music has come from the US:

The Doors, The Byrds, Jefferson Airplane, Aerosmith (70's) Van Halen, Kansas, Zappa, The Pixies, Mountain, Talking Heads..etc..

stechell wrote: I've always wondered why do the British Isles produce so many great Prog bands (and mainstream too). I don't have a clue. Do you??

i think it must be something in the water.....?

Dr. Occulator wrote: I think Britain being more closely aligned with the true European classical (Bach, Beethoven Mozart, Haydn) etc. had become open to more creative experimental music and as a whole are more exposed to more variety than the traditional top 40 radio formula commercialized in the U.S. I think it became a huge watershed of originality that the U.S. have not even come close to achieving. Also IMO Canada, although a smaller population, has a much more diverse and burgeoning music scene than the States. Maybe it's the British influence.

I think the French influence has helped the progressive rock scene in Canada, it's heart seems to be in Quebec.

Peter wrote: (I am speaking only of English-speaking areas now.) Britain (and Ireland) also produce better dramas, actors that look like normal people, etc. A much longer tradition of "high" art (especially in literature) than in the colonies was a factor, plus, I think, a less commercial/superficial music/entertainment industry than in the dominant exporter of English-speaking art, the USA, I believe. Plus, the influence of homegrown American music forms blues, jazz and even country played a major role in how American rock developed. Britain was more closely connected to the classical influences from the continent (and British isles traditional music). Re Canada, our music output is hugely influenced by our giant southern neighbour. I believe history and the rural "frontier" mentality (USA, Canada, Australia) vs a long-established, highly-developed largely urban civilization (Britain) played a role, too.  Those are my considered thoughts on the matter. Great thread idea, BTW!

I agree with this intelligent statement.  I would add that the US audiences were in no way as tolerant of experimental music as the Brits.  For a fledgling band in the states to support themselves they had to play dance music exclusively or they just didn't get work.  Anything veering away from the accepted 4/4 beat was met with disdain and worse.  From what I've read the audiences in England were more willing to listen with an open mind.  When a band had to spend most of its rehearsal time in working up the newest Doobie Brothers hit single it definitely took away from the creativity needed to push the progressive envelope.  The American culture would/could not support prog.