The Interdependence of Prog Bands

 

It would seem that, historically, the place to start would be the very first "prog" albums/bands, and how things developed thereafter.  In this regard, I suppose we would have to include Floyd's Piper, Moodies' Days, Zappa's Freak Out, even Sgt. Pepper as influences.  Possibly even Vanilla Fudge's debut album, with its proto-prog sound, particularly the enphasis on organ and keyboards.  All of these (and others) pre-date Crimson, Genesis, Yes, Giant, Tull, etc., all of whom created (or released) their first albums in 1968 or 1969.

 

It was only after this that Genesis, Yes, Crimson et al could have influenced each other - but the foundations of their influence had to come from the earlier bands/albums, and were probably more significant than the influence they may have had on each other.

 

That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.  LOL.

 

Peace.

 

Not tarred and feathered, just corrected.  While FC does predate GG, there is very little in GG that harks back to FC's first album or two.  Indeed, GG's first album is leagues more "progressive" (and "aggressive") than anything FC did from 1967 to 1969.  Re ELP, not only do I hear absolutely nothing of ELP in GG, but they are exactly contemporaneous: both of their debut albums came out in 1970 - and had virtually nothing in common.  ELP was built around Emerson's classical and quasi-classical technicalities, Palmer's ultra-aggressive drumming, and Lake's distinctive voice.  GG was truly a collaborative effort, with everyone singing (although Derek certainly got more "album time" than the others), and no single instrument was featured: all of them were multi-instrumentalists, and played guitar, bass, recorder, percussion, and glockenspiel, with Kerry doing keyboard/cello/vibraphone, Ray doing bass/violin, etc.  As well, GG focused far more on their amazing four- and five-part harmonies than ELP (which had almost no harmonies at all).

 

As well, their writing styles were completely opposite.  ELP either adapted classical pieces for a three-piece rock band, or wrote quasi-classical original music.  GG wrote original music that had more in common with influences like Jethro Tull (particularly the focus on a quasi-medieval sound) than with ELP.

 

Given all of the above, I find it hard to understand where your comment comes from.

 

Peace.