Second tier bands

Logan wrote: YESESIS wrote: [URL=http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7214" rel="nofollow][/URL] http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=7214 Edit: And absolutely I love Yes! Possibly my favorite prog band.  But does it bother you that Yes band members worked with King Crimson? For some more on the name from https://www.songsouponsea.com/Promenade/Metaphysical.html: "The name was suggested by the band's songwriter, Peter Sinfield - "The name King Crimson was mine - I wanted something like Led Zeppelin, something with a bit of power to it. Anything better than Giles, Giles, and Fripp. King Crimson had arrogance to it." The guitarist Robert Fripp is quoted in a booklet accompanying the Essential King Crimson box set, "The name King Crimson is a synonym for Beelzebub, which is an anglicized form of the Arabic phrase B'il Sabab. This means literally the man with an aim and is the recognizable quality of King Crimson." Beelzebub was a Philistine God who later became associated with the Devil. I didn't know Fripp was a Christian, I knew he was spiritual and explored religion, but I associated him with Buddhism. Some talk on King Crimson at a Christian forum: https://www.christianforums.com/threads/king-crimson.6298425/ Anyway, lyricist Sinfield (who also worked with ELP) was "to blame' for the name. Incidentally, Peter Gabriel has cited Robert Fripp as an influence. And Robert Fripp produced Peter Gabriel's second album.

BaldJean wrote: I must admit I never understood the popularity of King Crimson. the only explanation I have is that it is based on the myths that they invented prog rock and that ITCOTCK is the first prog album, neither of which is true. the fact alone that most people skip "Moonchild" makes me wonder why their first album is so highly rated, considering that "I Talk to the Wind" is a full-fledged pop song (albeit an excellent one). the music of KC is, contrary to the music of ELP, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Yes and Jethro Tull, in general not mainstream enough to explain this popularity

King Crimson become very popular already in the seventies. ITCOTCK was fifth in the UK charts in 1969-70. Prog music just become popular that time (which I think would never happened these days) and there were bands like Crimson, Yes, Moody Blues, Genesis, Pink Floyd, ELP, Camel, Jethro that have huge album sales that time. Then there were of course a lots of prog bands that didn´t become ever as popular, although they were as great as those others. I don´t think we can ever truly understand why others become popular and others not. But my opinion is those I mentioned all deserved their popularity (my personal opinion is that ELP deserved it least). I think also popularity of that time has carried all those to this time proglisteners too. Although Crimson is mostly different than for example Moody Blues, there are also similarities, for example mellotron use in those great melodic ballads. As you already said, to me it´s easy to understand why people of the seventies liked so much "I Talk to the Wind", "Epitaph", "In the Court...", "Cadence and Cascade" & "In the Wake Of Poseidon".

siLLy puPPy wrote: What is your definition of a "second tier" band? PFM was one of Italy's most successful bands ever. Second tier? I think not

Well, I think at least their time they just achieved mostly national success (yes I know they have a little popularity in UK). In the eighties I really haven´t got any clue of italoprog.

^When watching their chart positions from the same sites, only "Photos Of Ghosts" has been 180 position in Bilboard 200 & Cook 154 position in same list. I think Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd and ELP have done a lot better. They released also one Wigwam album in the US 1970, then virgin signed it in 1975, but still I am not really saying Wigwam got international success.

^To me Starcastle would be a third or fourth tier band...

Aye, capn

as a fan of mostly "second tier" bands, I don't get ruffled by the categorization.  Suffice to say most of my favorites struggled commercially, and get short shrift on the prog "hit parade" as well.  So be it, they are still my faves, and I'm glad when they get discussed at all.

 I voted for Renaissance. i I have to admit I haven't heard every band on the list. 

siLLy puPPy wrote: ^ from Wikipedia (they are right about this one :) Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM) (translation: Award-winning Marconi Bakery) is an Italian progressive rock band. PFM were the first Italian group to have success abroad, entering both the British and American charts. Between 1973 and 1977 they released five albums with English lyrics. They also had several successful European and American tours, playing at the popular Reading Festival in England and on a very popular national television program in the United States. PFM introduced new sounds, such as the synthesizer, to the Italian musical world. They were also among the first to combine symphonic classical and traditional Italian musical influences in a Rock music context. Such innovations and their longevity have earned PFM a place among the most important bands in the Progressive rock genre. Premiata Forneria Marconi - Wikipedia

They also did well in my native Canada ( btw Cook was mainly recorded in Toronto)

kenethlevine wrote: as a fan of mostly "second tier" bands, I don't get ruffled by the categorization.  Suffice to say most of my favorites struggled commercially, and get short shrift on the prog "hit parade" as well.  So be it, they are still my faves, and I'm glad when they get discussed at all.