Why isn't prog popular?

^ I don't think so, even though a few people here swear their hearts to the 70s, I think almost all people enjoy at least some post 70s stuff, and I personally enjoy a lot of post 70s stuff!

Essex man wrote: I read an interview with Steve Hackett once where he said that some people don't like it because the songs contain too many notes!!

I read an interview with Steve Hackett once where he said that some people don't like it because the songs contain too many notes!!

JS19 wrote: I'm sorry but there is no way The Mars Volta is 'Prog-Related' .....

doesn't matter
we call that "prog", alt-rock magazines call it "alt-rock".  it's just a label invented by musical journalists or record sellers to attract specific category of fans.

Rick Wakeman, major contributor into genre, called himself "pop musician" . Rick have specific sense of humor :-)

Mosis wrote: prog is plenty popular just from the "popular artists" on the home page: yes, dream theater, pink floyd, rush, opeth, genesis, porcupine tree, tool - all these bands are about as mainstream as you can get. prog bands have radio singles, make "the charts," and sell out stadiums all the time. what's really unpopular about prog is the fans.

There is younger auditory, who are in 2 different subcultures: Metal and Indy/Alternative rock.
And both are exposed to prog, but don't know such word :-))

ex: Tool, Muse, Mars Volta - they are very popular in alternative rock category , but they are prog-related

But it is, that's why we're here.

^^ Good point, maybe some prog listeners only feel 'left out' because they don't listen to anything else for the most part.  But I think only PF, JT and Rush have truly crossed over into classic rock territory and enjoy that kind of popularity. Bands like Tool may be commercially successful and perform to sellout crowds but have a less universal following within the rock community.  Same goes for PT.

why "art house" cinema isn't popular ?
why black-and-white art photography isn't popular?

prog is part of art music (as classical, jazz, and contemporary avantgarde)
most people don't care about art. 
all what they need is food, sex, and entertainment

some people think prog is too serious, therefore boring.
this is not true (check Samla for example - very fun music, not boring at all)

actually, prog CAN be entertainment, but for "prepared" auditory (music nerds, as were said)
I remember we were on prog-lovers-party and sung karaoke "Script for a jester's tear" and "Dancing With the Moonlight kinght" - that was too much fun








Edited by awaken77 - August 10 2011 at 10:03

(First time here, so hello all)

I think most of us have set minds, so that "prog" becomes "that nerdy stuff I will not like and therefore will not hear".

Another view - I remember Allan Holdsworth saying he would never release a "pop single", because then his shows would be filled with people expecting the pop. That's about as useful as introducing someone to prog with "Follow You Follow Me".


Edited by kaat - August 10 2011 at 08:33

Good answer