Prog’s bad name: who’s responsible?

Rick Wakeman without any doubt.

cheers

flfkng

Sounds like a Bon Jovi song:

"Shot through the heart, and you're to blame,

Darling, you give prog a bad name"

But who's to blame? The music press in the first place, definitely!

But to be honest: also some proggers who acted like they were a bit too big for their boots: ELP for instance. Don't get me wrong, I love lots of the music they did! But their attitude in the early days... I can't watch some of their earlier video footage without some "vicarious shame".

Although the media is to blame, it's important to recognize that listeners of Prog can think for themselves.  They know what type of music can be appreciated.  Prog is not for the unthinking, non-appreciative masses.  Do I blame the general public?  Not really.  Look how easily they are swayed.  (i.e. in the USA, Bush is President and STILL in office)  The inability to think for oneself is such a tragedy of the human being. 

I've mentioned before that the reason pop works and Prog doesn't could be rooted in simplicity.  Does not Progressive Rock take time to digest?  Pop must have the quality of immediate satisfaction.  This is what the music critics go after.  One the music becomes difficult to understand, it is treated less favorably. 

Another thing to consider is what do the lyrics of Prog convey?  Typically not "boy meets girl" topics, yet this is a fundamental understanding we all have.  Once heavier ideas or fantasy topics are sung about, it becomes an immediate turn off to the general public.  They either can't relate or just don't have time. 

The quality of the musician is expected to be high and doesn't matter what they are playing.  So for one to point to Prog musicians being above standard is inconsequential to the average listener.  Very fine musicians are found in pop music, they just aren't showing their prowess.  I don't believe the general public wants to listen to odd meters or incredible chops song after song. 

Critics who dare to talk about Prog' without understanding a note and sheeps who believe what this ignorant critics and DJ's say.

Don't blame musicians, most of them are doing ttheir best, and all have merits in different degrees, blame the status quo that priviledges easy music for idiots rather than intelligent music with good taste.

Iván

I am tired of always pointing out ELP or its parts!

So I will pick on the man with the stardust-sprikled cape eating Bami Goreng during his bassist's solo!! Shame on him!!! Him and his stupid rock ballet on ice or his ridiculous Journey to the centre of our planet! More like he was looking up his own arse!!

The man came to epitomize what was wrong with prog!!

The music press ios the obvious answer and Punk just needed the publicity stunt!!

I don't think is so much a bad name as a simply misunderstood genre. There's not much airplay except for the classics (Roundabout, Lucky Man, etc.), not that airplay is all that appealing to a large number of Proggers.

It does take a certain sophistication (I'm NOT talking about snobbery!) to appreciate prog, therefore, the audience is smaller, & consequently, much more appreciative of the music.