What was the first Prog Album?

OK, I'm sure this question has been beat to death around here before, but I don't come here often so please don't beat me up about that.  Also, please don't beat me up over what a stupid question you might think it is, I actually think its an interesting question. 

Ars Longa Vita Brevis - The Nice

Hi and welcome to the forum.

If you look through previous threads, you will realise that this is the sort of question that gets people tied up in knots, endlessly debating what is prog and not prog. For example, you want to discount proto prog bands, but many of us on the site would regard such bands as being genuinely prog. It's the sort of subject where you will never really get a definitive answer

It's actually, though, a fair question. Most people regard ITCOTCK as being the archetypal first "proper" prog LP, in the sense that most people understand prog. However, others, and I include myself here, would point to Procol Harum's first three, for example, or The Moody Blues Days of Future Passed and the subsequent four albums.

The Who's Tommy is a glorious example of concept album meeting sixties rock. I would regard it as pure prog, although others, probably including Townsend, would argue.

In conclusion, how long is a piece of string? How large is the universe? Cleverer people than me have to answer these and the question you pose

I know you sort of dismissed Procol Harum, but I think that their epic In Held Twas In I could be considered the first prog epic in the modern sense, in that it was through composed and structural throughout unlike some of the jazz and free-form "epics" that had been released before. I don't think the rest of that album is all that proggy, but that song is huge in the development of prog and you could make an argument for it being the first appearance of "prog" in the modern sense. 

Anthony H. wrote: In the Court of the Crimson King. I don't think very many people would dispute that.

Just wait, Anthony, just wait....

What about EAST OF EDEN's ''Mercator projected''?Very experimental album to my ears,pure progressive rock which blends elements from folk,jazz rock,psychedelia,blues and classic music...but is there anyone who knows the exact date the album was released....I think ITCOTCK was released in October 69'.

Snow Dog wrote: Ars Longa Vita Brevis - The Nice

 

Wow, I step away from my desk and a few hours later this fantastic discussion. 

THE BEACH BOYS - Pet Sounds (early 1966)

akajazzman wrote: Obviously they deserve kudos for it, but it shouldn't be that "oh Genesis we're great, BUT THEY WEREN"T THE FIRST".   Even when he doesn't say it, I know thats what he's thinking.