Has the flame finally gone out?

That's exactly what Jazz artists did and the sheer output of great music, even just from the 50s and 60s, is enormous. That's why I have a lot of respect for Bill Bruford - he seemed to be one of the few who really caught onto this concept early on, leaving Yes right after CttE and what not.

 

For me the Dinosaurs are basically done for, some of the skeletons still move around, But these players are really aging now, they are up for retirement. Bless those that still have the energie, the passion, the will and music in them that makes them desire to carry on. Providing a chance for new fans to see them live.

 

The second generation of prog bands are slowely moving in the same direction, but for me those bands are still relevant, and some of those bands are now beginning their cycle of reforming and starting a second life (Echolyn, Discipline) Breaking up and starting new 'supergroups'. But honestly they cater mostly to their 'old' fans, which I am, so for me, the next coupleof years there will be some nice stuff coming, if only on the live circuit. (this is a nice year, with a new IQ, Pendragon, Fish and an upcoming Arena album)

 

For the newest generation I am a bit worried, as they have to built a fanbase in this current situation, with internet taking over, venue's for liveperforming are lessening, and a radio that gets horizontally programmed as to exclude anything besides major compagny's music being played. For professional bands to survive they really need more support, but they have to compete with amateur bands that release cheaply underproduced tripe made on their nintendo game console (and released as independant albums), butclutter the internet, making it difficult for the fans to find the bands worth supporting (that's where sites like this come in, although here also lots of tripe bands are being promoted by well-intending people who just don't recognise the difference between bad instrument control, or bad writing and inventive playing).

 

So yes, it's a perilous time, for good bands, bands need to be proffesional, but that requires income, an income they can barely make selling albums, is difficult to make touring and impossible to make without both.. So I hope the new bands can find a niche in the market that allow them to pursue their carreer profesionally, else I don't expect them to last very long, (and the masterpiece is mostly the third or fourth album, so bands need to stick together)

 

anyway, more text than I intended.

Bloody echo in the room!  ABSOLUTELY, my Laz Welshman! 

2013 was amazing and 2014 looks just as good. There has never been MORE fabulous prog albums than in the last few years. We (and I) are all very attached to the classics and they are monuments that will last forever. But lately there have been 60-70 minutes prog albums of sheer genius. You don't want me to list them cos It will blow the PA server! 

Interesting post. The early seventies had something special because a number of key elements came together at the same time:

a) Great musicians (today has merely good musicians in many cases. for instance does any drummer wow you like Carl Palmer playing Pictures At An Exhibition or Wakeman playing Six Wives Of Henry Viii)

b) New tech both in recording and in terms of equipment ( ie Moog synths)

c) A media that took these bands seriously especially the music press

d) A number of amazing rock festivals that enabled a lot of these bands to break big

My point is that this was a once only deal. You are right that there are still many great albums but nothing that recreates that spirit of the original movement. Personally I don't mind that much. I still enjoy so much music being made now by bands that are inspired by what happened all those years ago.

The next generation carries the flag right now.

I'll start by building on what Isa said.  When you work with the same people for too long, it's inevitable that at some point, you're going to stop being as progressive as you once were.  For instance, The Beatles recorded for less than 10 years and constantly innovated.  Would they have continued to do so?  I also think a lot of younger progressive bands are taking their influences from other sources than the classic prog bands that we love.  A large part of the music I listen to these days (I'm 48) is influenced by Extreme Metal or is in that category.