The Best Progressive Rock Band of The '60s?

Psychedelic Paul wrote: Am I allowed to mention Psychedelic Rock bands too, even though they're not True Prog/Real Prog? If so, I can feel another A-Z list coming on.

Edited by David_D - January 11 2023 at 10:43

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Imo, there was hardly any real prog in the 60s so it's kind of silly to ask this question. Given that many people think KC's debut was the first prog album that means that(to them at least) it was not only the best but just about the only one. I won't go quite that far but I still think it would be like asking for the best african prog keyboard players or something (and no I'm not being racist but just trying to make the point that there aren't many).

Agree with you 100%, Mike. The question is how can we convince David and the others that progressive rock didn't exist in true, real, full blown form in the 60s besides KC?
I am going to try one last time.
Many artists, bands were called progressive in the 60s, it doesn't mean they played, composed and recorded progressive rock songs. Bob Dylan was called progressive artist in the 60s because of his lyrics. Miles Davis was called progressive. One of the most influential jazz musician of all time, why not call him progressive (moving forward, groundbreaking). It doesn't mean he was a progressive rock artist.
Days of Future Passed by many considered first progressive rock album, but why? People, there is nothing proggy about this album. Innovative, groundbreaking, yes, but this is not progressive rock or symphonic rock. Bunch of well written, beautiful pop-rock songs, with psychedelic influences, mixed in with classical interludes performed by London Festival Orchestra. The orchestra and the band never played together, they were never in the recording studio together.
The classical pieces were arranged by Peter Knight, the orchestra's conductor. And you call this album first symphonic rock album ever? C'mon!
One of the most influential 60s album, yes definitely. I believe in early 2000s, Deram reissued early Moody Bluess albums. They all come with bonus tracks and the insert included the interview with one of the members of the band. Justin Hayward was asked by interviewer "were you ever considered yourselves as progressive rock band? His answer was no, we were never part of progressive rock movement.
I guess people are confused by the term proto-progreesive. The term means that the artist / band might influenced other bands to become progressive rock bands and were essential to the development of progressive rock. It doesn't mean that the band itself was or become later progressive rock band. The Beatles were the most influential bands of the 60s. They never played progressive rock or become one. The same with Moody Blues, Procol Harum, the Nice and the rest of the 60s bands mentioned in this thread except for King Crimson.

Edited by enigmatic - January 11 2023 at 12:32

Some of them by Peter Knight, some by him + Moody Blues member. Wiki has all the details under "Track Listing" section.

One more post that maybe better explains what I tried to explain above: the difference between "progressive" used as an adjective and progressive rock (style of music). This was written by HolyMoly, retired PA admin in 2013:
"There is a distinction between "prog" the style and "progressive" the adjective. That said, I've been a lifelong Moody Blues fan (literally; I was listening to them daily at age 4) and I see their first four (not counting the Denny Laine period, natch) albums as crucial building blocks for what would become "prog" the style (exemplified by Crimson's first album). However, I do believe that all of their "big seven" albums are progressive (the adjective). Subtle difference, but one I've come to accept here."

Edited by enigmatic - January 11 2023 at 14:36

Actually, that's AFKC. The first part is for "A flower?" which of course was a line in Supper's Ready. 

Edited by AFlowerKingCrimson - January 11 2023 at 18:31

^ No, definitely not.God, I beg you, say something, anything? No? Okay, maybe next David's thread solves anything on this site.😉

Edited by enigmatic - January 12 2023 at 05:24

My A-Z of the Most Influential Sixties Bands (subject to discussion) 

Edited by Psychedelic Paul - January 12 2023 at 10:02

Psychedelic Paul wrote: My A-Z of the Most Influential Sixties Bands (subject to discussion)

Psychedelic Paul wrote: My A-Z of the Most Influential Sixties Bands (subject to discussion)

Great list, Paul. I am not familiar with Orpheus (USA), but I wouldn't be able to suggest any other influential band with a name starting with a letter "O".

Edited by enigmatic - January 12 2023 at 09:39

Hmmm....tough question considering ,as many have said , there really weren't many people doing 'full blown' prog then.  The  Nice and East of Eden were prog rock to my ears and Zappa on Hot Rats... and are listed that way here... Moody Blues and Procol are listed as 'crossover'.