Does Humour Belong in Prog?

As I mentioned in another thread, the lyrics of VdGG are very much tongue in cheek; you should hear Peter Hammill talking about these lyrics himself.

As far as "Willow Farm" goes, you can't put it to in the same
category as "Benny the Bouncer"...Gabriel was quite steeped in
the age old tradition of British absurdity, as exemplified by
Swift, Lewis Carrol, Edward Gorey, etc. "Willow Farm" is a
brilliantly poetic depiction of the absurdities of being raised in
the conservative British society ("you're all full of ball!"), and
musically very sophisticated. A ditty like "Benny the Bouncer" is
more closely related to the jolly tradition of British drinking
songs, a pure example of which is "Mother's Lament" on the
Cream's "Disraeli Gears". Of couse there's room for both, thank
god.

By the way, that guy who said there's no place for humour
when engaged in serious musical contemplation...he was
joking, but a few people didn't notice.

corbet wrote: There is absolutely no place for humor in music.  The important themes tackled by the master progressive musicians cannot be approached lightly; even less can the arduous task of comprehending their legacy be undertaken with even the slightest hint of frivolity.  When I am at a King Crimson symposium, trying to take notes, what is one to do when disturbed by that loathesome noise which is laughter?  I can only shake my head and hope that future generations leave behind this notion of "funny" and return to the ponderous work of musical contemplation.

Oh delusional one!!!!!!!!!!!........There is humor is Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, so on and so forth. Their music is ten time more "serious" and ten times more complex than prog rock. So get over yourself. Relax and have some damn fun.

Frank Zappa and Captain Beefhart can play with humor, because they have strong personalities.

I think that most humorus are the bands who are trying to be serious, like Hawkind, Saga, Styx, and dont have either personality either quality so they become funny

Sorry for my English writing

BaldJean wrote: I very much doubt Hawkwind are serious. they definitely were not during the Calvert era

Exact, it would be like saying that most Gong songs are serious.