Sociology of the Prog Rock Fan

While in uni, doing a history essay, I decided to search for a book on prog rock in the library, to my amazement I found one called Rocking the Classics: Progressive Rock and the Counterculture, by Edward Macan.

Anyway, it was a very interesting book, about prog rocks history, bands, styles, fans etc.

My question on the prog rock fan (esp. 70s fans), is that he labels them as people who if they arent at the concerts, they are in their friends apartment listening to the albums, smoking pot.  Do you think this is true, (I do when it comes to me lol, but i only recently got into prog a year ago), or is this a  stereotype?

I would be interested in some responses, and hey, even what you listen to if this is true for you- i opt for close to the edge usually, oh and cream- disraeli gears (yes i know its not prog), and i think id go for traffic - Mr Fantasy

Well again, its just curiosity as to if the author was/is correct or not

I don't smoke pot. Was that the stereotype?

I'm 18 years old, don't do drugs, work 50 hours a week, will be attending Brown University this fall....and in between times I listen to prog.

NetsNJFan wrote: ha ha my Dad listened to a lot of prog in the 70's, and he doesnt/didnt even drink, let along smoke pot. but he did wear a YES belt buckle (all the way through the mid '80s!)

OH RIGHT ON - how would u manage to pick up something like that!!! - i bought a fragile shirt online about 7 months ago - it already has a small hole in the back though damn online merchandise

I have my avatar as a belt buckle, i picked it up in wasaga a few weeks ago - i thought it was the greatest thing - to replace my doors belt buckle

(PS thanks for seeing the humour in my topic)

Retroventuremod wrote: NetsNJFan wrote: ha ha my Dad listened to a lot of prog in the 70's, and he doesnt/didnt even drink, let along smoke pot. but he did wear a YES belt buckle (all the way through the mid '80s!) OH RIGHT ON - how would u manage to pick up something like that!!! - i bought a fragile shirt online about 7 months ago - it already has a small hole in the back though damn online merchandise I have my avatar as a belt buckle, i picked it up in wasaga a few weeks ago - i thought it was the greatest thing - to replace my doors belt buckle (PS thanks for seeing the humour in my topic)

ha ha sure

At first the stereotype was very true for me. I would sit at home or at a friends get very stoned and enjoy prog. Now I dont smoke anywhere near as much pot, and go to all the live shows I can. There is nothing like live music.

They [Yes, I mean] were in Montreal last year as well - I lucked out, a friend told me about it and I got the connections (and by connections I mean the cash and an unwilling-victim-to-drag-along) to go. It was spectacular and I think they made my year.  Live AND studio is the way to go with them!

Oh, and no drugs (never had the occasion) so no stereotype here. All I do is go out of my way to find shirts that look like the kind of stuff Jon Anderson used to wear. (they amuse the heck out of me!)

There was a site made by a poor soul who was convinced that sweet, innocent prog rock was the root of all evil. *grin* His main case against it was King Crimson's name and the album names "Starless and Bible Black" and "Red". Which I always thought had more to do with colours than with potential antichrists. Likely it's been mentioned before on the forum threads ... aw, I'm only sorry I can't offer you a link, because it appears to have been taken down. Can't imagine why.

Gatot wrote: NOPE! In my country, people who prog don't do any drugs or even drink (well, some people do. But because I'm moslem and beer is prohibitted - so I stay away from beer). The best thing to enjoy prog is while sipping a cup of coffee and reading the CD sleeve notes or printed material from review on the net. Oh man .... it's really greaaaaatttt ......

nice one Gatot!!!

Its nice to know someone else does that too!! But I sip strong milky sweet tea instead and  look at all the reviews online as I am listening to the CD  (or looking at the sleeve notes)  -

felona wrote: nice one Gatot!!! Its nice to know someone else does that too!! But I sip strong milky sweet tea instead and  look at all the reviews online as I am listening to the CD  (or looking at the sleeve notes)  -

Thanks Felona.

Yeah .. we share similar activities when enjoying music. Well, for album that I have been accustomed to - like Dark Side, Selling England, I usually don't read the sleeve anymore but I read book. It's really great experience.