The Who? Proto-Prog?

What is The Who doing on this website and why are they considered proto-prog?  Now, don't get me wrong, I like The Who a lot, I have Tommy and Who's Next.  I just don't think that they have  a place on this website; I am sure that their presence here cannot be reversed, but come on.  I have always thought of The Who as proto-punk.  They are basically the fathers of punk music, which is in complete opposition to progressive rock music.  I am not saying that I am against punk either.  But punk and progressive rock are two genres of music that are complete opposites.  The whole idea behind punk is that you don't have to know how to play your instruments;  emotion is more important than skill or technique.  The music is based on simplistic power chords.  As we all know, prog is completely the opposite; it prides itself on being complex (and still emotional).  To me, The Who is the farthest thing from "proto-prog."  I mean, just because you have a couple "concept" albums does not mean that you are prog.  It just seams to me that some people around here don't know much about genres of music.  I can't believe the guff I got for suggesting Steely Dan be placed in prog-related!  I'm sorry, but seeing The Who on this website is a totally mind-boggling to me.  Does anyone else share my viewpoint; or maybe someone can explain why a proto-punk band is on a progressive rock website!

this notion of the Who as proto-punk is quite bizarre.   Blue Cheer, the Troggs or the Kinks maybe, but the fact that 'My Generation' or a few other Who songs had a vague effect on a rebel-rock attitude is not the same as having a direct impact on a genere the way Who's early concept records did on Prog rock.








Edited by Atavachron - July 22 2007 at 23:59

jfleischh wrote: The whole idea behind punk is that you don't have to know how to play your instruments;  emotion is more important than skill or technique. - the Who could play their instruments quite well... don't see your point.    I mean, just because you have a couple "concept" albums does not mean that you are prog. - But in starting those concepts in 1968-69, it does make you Proto-prog.   It just seams to me that some people around here don't know much about genres of music.  - The issue of the Who as proto-prog is not about genres of music, but about historical impact. I can't believe the guff I got for suggesting Steely Dan be placed in prog-related!  I support you in that feeling.

schizoid_man77 wrote: [QUOTE=Atavachron] [QUOTE=jfleischh] But in starting those concepts in 1968-69, it does make you Proto-prog.   - You know frank sinatra wrote a couple of concepts is he prog?

many artists had recorded albums that had a loose association between songs, but not a sequentially-told story done in a rock format.







Edited by Atavachron - July 23 2007 at 00:43

that's a passionate write-up from punk77 but it doesn't persuade... That the band had influence on multiple areas of popular music, and on certain artists who later were labelled as 'punk', doesn't negate their effect on concept rock and, consequently, prog.





Edited by Atavachron - July 23 2007 at 01:15

Ivan_Melgar_M wrote: Atavachron wrote: That the band had influence on multiple areas of popular music, and on certain artists who later were labelled as 'punk',     You made my point, Proto Prog is for bands that "Rock Bands in existence prior to 1969 that influenced the development of progressive rock The late 60's was a predominately experimental period for music. These bands were moving in a stream that eventually led to prog. The influence could have come from new sophisticated forms of writing and playing music, recording techniques, new instruments and vocal harmonies to name a few. Some of these bands became progressive rock bands themselves others did not."[/

and a big thanks to you, Ivan, for helping me to make mine

The fact that Punk 77 hates the Who is enough reason for them to be here.

Atavachron wrote: well I tend to consider Pink Floyd psych above all else, even through to Animals-- but of course early psych had a big influence on Prog... let's not go there

Edited by The Whistler - July 23 2007 at 01:42

much of what you point out is acurrate, Ivan, but again I stress that none of it deletes history-- the effects the Who's theme albums (and perhaps certain cuts on Who Sells Out) had on what a rock album could be, the size, theater and sophistcation, is clear and deeply felt.. most markedly on prog, not punk.





Edited by Atavachron - July 23 2007 at 02:22

prog might be similar without the Who, but not exactly the same..


..and they're a lot more Proto than the bloody Doors





Edited by Atavachron - July 23 2007 at 02:43