Do any other younger prog fans feel this way?

I never really got the whole "wrong generation" sentiment. Sure, there are lots of bands that I never got a chance to see live, but as someone mentioned there are videos of that. But that's made up for by the accessibility of music we have today. I can listen to almost any song from any time period with a 30-second search, a luxury the '70s lacked. In that sense, I'm from the perfect generation to find interesting old music without needing to spend too much.

David_D wrote: I can't say, I'm a younger Prog aficionado, but I haven't seen the classic Prog artists perform, either. Nevertherless, I don't miss it, as when listening to the classic albums, I can better experience the MUSIC as of a special, magic world in that way. I hope we agree that music is more important than the artists themselves.

NO, I can't agree with that at all. Without the artists there is no music. They are THE most important because it is their creation ! Can we all agree on that?

I was driving through the mountains, and decided to put on Close to the Edge (This was Today, after my last post) I finally understand what the song is all about. Seeing the valley and mountains and all the life... THATS what the song is all about. It made me think of this thread, I can put in headphones (I wasn't driving, since driving with headphones on is illegal, at least where I live) it made me realize that you couldn't do this in the 70s or 80s, sure, you had cassettes, but nowadays listening with headphones in a car is nicer, and higher audio quality, you can hear all the little details. It's Beautiful. I wasn't born in the wrong generation, I'm happy I get to discover all this old music and all the music it inspired. I just wish I had gotten to see Yes or Genesis in their Hayday

Born in 76. The year of 2112, Trick of the Tail, Romantic Warrior, etc. I started to get into music at a very young age. I can remember hearing certain songs and liking them at about 2 years old. By kindergarten and first grade I was really getting into music. Bands like Toto, Journey, Asia, etc come to mind. Heard Plenty of Yes and Genesis in the 80’s and had a more ‘meh opinion of them. I really liked what Tears for Fears were doing as they were better at Progressive Pop than what the 70’s UK Prog giants were doing in the 80’s. Tears for Fears got me into listening to better music as I found myself wanting something better and was fed up with all the silly corporate Pop and Hair Metal. I also liked Iron Maiden with the operatic vocals and more challenging and complex guitar work.

In my teen years I got more into Pink Floyd, Moody Blues, and some other Prog related stuff. Prog Metal was really hitting its peak going into the early nineties. My cousin introduced me to Operation Mindcrime and I was hooked and blown away. Then I discovered Dream Theater and my life changed. I really started to love and appreciate King Crimson and 70’s Genesis. I really started to appreciate Rush at this age also. Became obsessed with Prog in my 20’s to where it became my favorite music.

I loved the 70’s more than anything Prog but still enjoyed Prog Metal. I probably had sediments similar to yours for quite some time. The 70’s were really special. I was obsessed with 70’s Genesis and was irritated by what happened to them in the 80’s and 90’s.

After Porcupine Tree took a long break a lot of really great bands started to emerge. Big Big Train was one of them. I started to buy a lot of modern Prog and was not disappointed. I have more modern Prog in my collection now than 70’s Prog. Never thought it could ever be possible. I feel like I missed out on a lot of stuff I ignored previously.

JD wrote: But why would anyone 'dig' an artist if not BECAUSE of the music they make? I suppose there are talented performers who don't produce their own, or maybe even very good, music. Is that what you meant? Lots of musical gymnastics without any real substance.

^For me, 'Awaken' was a swan song, their last hoorah of long form prog epics (for a good long while at least) before switching to shorter songs. 

^I've looked for artists, perhaps I should dig deeper

Edited by Frets N Worries - October 22 2023 at 16:36

^I mostly listen to Digital (It's FREE) but I love collecting records, I've got a few CDs, but I'll just make CDs if I like an album, which isn't illegal technically since it's personal use and I'm not selling them. 

AFlowerKingCrimson wrote: Digital is free? Does bandcamp know this? Lol. I listen to music on youtube but it's not part of my "serious" listening. I'm a cd guy. I may return to vinyl one day. Nothing against spotify. I have that too but it's on my mother's account and don't listen to it much.  Anyway, some of these responses are amusing to me. In some ways you could say anyone under 60 is young in prog circles or if they are too young to have been into it during the first wave (70s) which would be the case for me.

^Young is opinionated it seems