Prog Literature

Trouserpress wrote: I know what you mean about properly appreciating them! The subtleties in their music can be breathtaking. Take your time with Octopus! I agree it's not the easiest nut to crack. If you haven't already done so I also heartily recommend you invest in Free Hand. Anyway, I'd better shut up. I sometimes wonder if I'm subconciously trying to turn this place into a Gentle Giant forum!

Don't worry, there's at least ten others trying to turn it into a Dream Theater forum

If you like Yes, there are a number of great books, esp Yes (Dan Hedges), Close to the Edge, Perpetual Change, and Yesstories.

If you want a good laugh about the most disappointing prog band of all time - Asia - check out Dave Gallant's the Heat Goes On. Very well written, and reads almost like a corporate espionage thriller with lots of betrayal, backstabbing and nasty characters.

Edited by kirklott

gabbel ratchett wrote: Bradley Smith's "Billboard guide to Progressive Music" is an alright read but it covers so little of the prog story. It would serve as a good primer for those who are just beginning to explore the prog world. The more you read, the more you'll think, the more you'll explore.

Yep, It was a good primer for me.

There is a good biography of Amon Düül titled "Tanz der Lemminge", written by journalist Ingeborg Schober, who at some time was very close to the band. The book was published some 25 years ago though, so some developments (like the forming of the  British Amon Düül) are not included. But it is full of funny anecdotes about one of the freakiest bands ever (imagine the totally stoned Chris Karrer and John Weinzierl getting into some high society buffet at the hotel where they stayed, in their freaky clothes and with their hashish stained fingers, feeding themselves on chicken drumsticks and the likes; an episode that ends with the band members being chased by cars. I'd like to see that in a movie). Unfortunately I don't believe it was ever translated into English.