Who are the Big 5 supergroups?

I just realised I hadn't posted here yet... OK, if we consider the "founding fathers" of prog, then I would have to say:

King Crimson
Yes
Genesis (though not a big fan)
ELP
Pink Floyd
Jethro Tull (as a sixth member of the elite)

Of course, if we want to include other influential bands from the early Seventies, each embodying a different take on prog, I'd have to mention VdGG, Gentle Giant, Caravan, Camel, Focus and some of the Italian bands. Rush, as much as I love them, came somewhat later... and please, please, please, no DT!!!

Evans wrote: It's pretty clear that Pink floyd, Yes and Genesis are the big THREE, since almost everybody mentions them in their replies. Then we've got KC, Rush, ELP and Jethro tull as the four to compete for the last places. VDGG and GG i donät see as competition to these, no matter how good they may be. I don't know, personally i'd put Jethro and ELP on there, instead of King Crimson (but i've never been a fan of ITCOTCK, so i guess that many will disagree).

Pretty much agree with all of this 'cept maybe I would have Floyd higher in the list, although thinking about the time period they would have Barret with at this time who Did Not do prog.
I would have include Caravan though

yes

Frasse wrote: The Big 5 seems to be the five most succesful of the early 70s prog bands: Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, ELP and Jethro Tull... ...IMHO, it's defenitely arguable. The 5 prog acts (Listed in PA, including proto-prog and prog related.) who have sold the most (In the US, RIAA is the only ones who keeps track on sold units in their country as far as I know.): The Beatles (168 millions), Pink Floyd (73), Queen (31.5), Rush (24.5) and Genesis (21.5) My own top 5 (atm) is: Genesis, Amon Düül II, Steve Hackett, Yes and ELP

I'm  sure as heck not an expert on the 'krautrock' scene though I really dig it.... but have seen several sites refer to Amon Duul II as one the most important and influential groups that you may have never heard of... epecially the Joe-Six Packs of the musical listeners of the world.  Nice shout out...

In my opinion, the Big 5 supergroups are:

King Crimson
Soft Machine
Van Der Graaf Generator
Caravan
ELP

DallasBryan wrote: the big 3 thats easy............Pink Floyd, Tangerine Dream and Frank Zappa.

spacecraft wrote: Aren't super groups made out of musicians who were in otjher bands and formed to become massive (or super). Using this context ELP would be first and that's it, however Transatlantic would be laughed out the door. UK would probably be next, King Crimson wouldn't count as they have had 30 million different musicians in there.   So there you have it, a definitive 2 super groups in prog rock.............but no, someone else may talk some sh*t.

hahah... no one here would do that...

1. Yes

Were'nt 'ASIA' the first supergroup. I remember them being billed as such by the press in the early 80's!

No Ivan, the first supergroup was Cream  !