FIRST EVER HEAVY PROG ROCK BANDS

Good choices, yeah, Iron Butterfly's In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida might be the earlist example of heavy prog, some Purple probably rivals it too.

Vanilla Fudge is cool. Carmine Appice rules!

I will have to agree with the above replys, that Iron Butterfly and Deep Purple did have some elements of Prog Metal in them. However, I do not believe they were the first prog metal bands. King Crimson's 21st Century Schizoid man might be called the first prog metal song, coming almost a decade before Rush integrated the prog sounds of ELP, etc. with their Zeppelin and Cream influences to create the beginnings of what is now known as Progressive Metal. The song 2112, (As wel as other Rush songs of the era) is an excellent example of the band integrating the complexity of prog music with the hard rock and heavy metal influences stated above. Other bands, such as Queensryche and Dream Theater grew out of the 80's thrash metal era, and have a much harder sound that Rush, or any of the earlier bands did. However, virtually all modern prog bands can credit Rush as an influence to their music. (Mike Portnoy and Dream Theater come to mind) In conclusion, I will have to say that Rush brought about the transition in Prog just when everyone thought Prog was nearing its death.

I will have to disagree there, as I am a huge fan of Caress of Steel, as well as Fly by Night. While it is only a matter of taste, some people may be turned off by some of Rush's Yes-like experimentations, reminiscent of early prog.

Some of Jethro Tull's material was pretty rawking, but I'd nominate Rush, Crimson, early Purple, some of the Sabs....

How about when The Who recorded the albums "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia", or one of my all time favorite songs from that era, "Baba O'Riley"?

I won't argue if you say that wasn't Prog Rock, but it really was quite progressive.  Every bit as much as Sgt. Pepper IMO.

  I don't think Uriah Heep and Rush are good examples. As for Heeep, IMHO, Toe Fat and Gods not less heavy and interesting bands? both featured Hensley. Rush... It's too late for "First ever..." There were lots others.

Agree that Steamhammer is a good example. There 71 "Mountains: is very heavy and progressive.

Others name. LEAF HOUND and KILLING FLOOR - their style a little bit bluesy but with lots of heavy-guitar and prigressive elemts. And what about ANDROMEDA?

richardh wrote: American heavy rock band Mountain had some proggy tendencies particularly on 'Nantucket Sleighride'.

Agreed.

Anyone thinking Mountain was just about "Mississippi Queen" (nothing against it, a nice head-banging rawker) completely misses the point.

I used to drive my buddies crazy, playing Nantucket Sleighride on the 'ol 8-track while cruising.

Hocus Pocus from Focus is quite heavy too! I suppose most of you know that the song was used in another metal-song: "Blitzkrieg" from Blitzkrieg, Metallica recorded "Blitzkrieg" too (it's on Garage Inc.)

Stormcrow wrote: How about when The Who recorded the albums "Tommy" and "Quadrophenia", or one of my all time favorite songs from that era, "Baba O'Riley"? I won't argue if you say that wasn't Prog Rock, but it really was quite progressive.  Every bit as much as Sgt. Pepper IMO.

I agree, "Gandalf Stormcrow," The Who (one of my all-time favourite rock acts) were very "progressive," especially on the albums you named. But I wouldn't call them "progressive rock" proper -- simply a very intelligent, and greatly above-average act! Marillion's Fish "quotes" "Love Reign O'er Me" on Misplaced Childhood: "rain on me!" Hmmm....

I'd vote for Uriah Heep, however, as an early "heavy-progressive" band.

Edited by Peter Rideout