Definitive prog band
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Topic: Definitive prog band
Posted By: Dim
Subject: Definitive prog band
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:22
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Hey I just joined this site and figured it would be a good way to introduce myself to the forums by asking a good question: What is the band that defines prog rock?
I am a major yes fan and that is how I would define prog, they use weird time signatures, make 20 minuete, epic, layered songs, and they are all around musically talented. Despite they're lack of concept albums Yes (to me) is a definative prog band. ------------- 
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Replies:
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:24
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Big Yes fan as well.. Welcome aboard to answer your question.... a no brainer.. the definative Prog Band... King Crimson. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: laplace
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:26
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I agree with Micky. although I was expecting his post to read BMS or Bronzo hahahaha
------------- FREEDOM OF SPEECH GO TO HELL |
Posted By: soundspectrum
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:29
| to be honest what makes a band progressive is doing everything their own way... i think concept albums are over done by prog bands...which is why king crimson is sweet |
Posted By: chamberry
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:32
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All hail King Crimson! I don't think there's a definitive prog band, but King Crimson covered alot of ground in their years so they come pretty close. Welcome to the boards! ------------- 
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:35
I thought about it. hahahha..  ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
laplace wrote:Posted By: Chris H
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:37
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I'd hate agree with such a huge majority, but King Crimson is the definitive progressive rock band, whether you want to admit it or not. ------------- Beauty will save the world. 
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Posted By: Arrrghus
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:39
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I agree with KC's nomination. They epitomize prog. One of the first prog albums was their debut, and they have been reinventing themselves over the past few decades - every decade. No one has evolved and the pushed boundaries as many times as KC has. ------------- 
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Posted By: Chris H
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:44
Same with Zappa  ------------- Beauty will save the world.
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Posted By: ClassicRocker
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 20:58
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hmm, i would have to agree with Yes being definitive progressive rock..
But Zappa is the definitive of musical expression, experimentation, and innovation for music in general. ------------- 
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Posted By: chofel
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:05
| I have to say Genesis !!! In their work from the knife until Winds & wuthering I think they did everything |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:09
NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this isn't about your favorite band.... Genesis were playing town Halls when the big boys were defining prog... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:28
I think that the definitive prog band is undefinable due to alack of an agreed framework to define what would make a band the definitive one. Prog , that is. Band, I mean.  Or rather, it's just a matter of my opinion. Being right, or wrong, but not definitive. |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:33
probably true ...to a point... however I think it is hard to argue past these 4 groups.. that helped define it... popularize it.. and whose output and/or influence spans decades Floyd King Crimson ELP Yes. ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Speesh
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:39
| Even though I hate choosing a definitive prog rock band, I'll have to agree with Crimson also. They're probably the most popular band that has always been cutting edge. They started out by popularizing the genre, then strayed from that path to progress throughout their career. From In the Court..., to Lizard, Lark's Tongues, Red, Discipline, all of which are essential. Even their recent releases are as progressive and cutting edge as they were years ago, even if the quality may not be as good. |
Posted By: The Lost Chord
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:43
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Peter Gabriels' GENESIS! -------------  "Only the sun knew why"
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Posted By: rileydog22
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:44
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The definition of Prog: Anything King Crimson has done or is doing. -------------   |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:48
Oops , you're forgetting groups like Status Quo, Foghat, AC/DC, Kiss, Aerosmith who helped define what prog is not. Their contribution cannot be overestimated. Sometimes, it seems easier to say this or that group is not prog, rather than the reverse.  |
Posted By: micky
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 21:50
you can't define what prog is not.. until you have had someone define what prog IS... come on... I'm not that old... ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: Ghandi 2
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 22:05
| None. But Crimson probably comes the closest (even though I don't like them at all). |
Posted By: Garion81
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 22:13
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Since the music is diverse (check our Genre discussions) I don't believe any such animal exists. ------------- 
"What are you going to do when that damn thing rusts?" |
Posted By: lightbulb_son
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 22:17
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While not anywhere close to all-encompassing, I believe that Crimson come the closest to defining the progressive spirit and style. ------------- When the world is sick Can't no one be well But I dreamt we were all beautiful and strong 
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Posted By: The T
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 22:18
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I might go with KC, but I don't like them (except ITCOTCK), and it's difficult to me to define the genre I love the most with a band I just don't like.... What does that say? Believe me, my observation is logical. I CAN'T define my favorite genre with a band I don't like. I won't say DT either, it's my favorite band but please, there's no question they have nothing to do in this poll. So I'll go with Genesis, who defines prog with just two words:
Supper's Ready
And Three more:
Fifth of Firth
And three albums:
Foxtrot
Selling England by the Pound
TLLDOB
Nursery Cryme (oops, 4)
And 5 names:
Collins
Gabriel
Banks
Rutherford
Hackett
Sorry, King Crimson is not a band but a man's idea (FRIPP), and I just don't agree with their nomination. ------------- 
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Posted By: thellama73
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 22:27
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I'm not sure if there is a definitive Prog band, but if there is it is without a doubt King Crimson.
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Posted By: Ixtlan
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 22:47
| Only YES reached the top of the mountain, as short-lived as it was. |
Posted By: Logan
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 23:04
| Yes, If there is a definitive Prog band, it's King Crimson. |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 23:13
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I believe you are forgetting that while KC is one of the most legendary prog bands of all time, they never had a full time keyboardist! This is primary to prog rock especially in the 70's. -------------
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Posted By: Man With Hat
Date Posted: April 17 2007 at 23:23
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The two that come to mind are King Crimson and Genesis.
Notice which is first.
 ------------- Dig me...But don't...Bury me I'm running still, I shall until, one day, I hope that I'll arrive Warning: Listening to jazz excessively can cause a laxative effect. |
Posted By: Tommydouglas
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 01:39
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Yes is my favourite band, but Gentle Giant seem to exemplify the Platonic Prog-rock band. To have a truly prog-rock band you have to have hints of medieval English style madrigals and GG has it in spades plus all the other stuff--time sig. changes and four-part vocal harmonies with cool keyboard pyrotechnics.
------------- "I'm not really spiritual, just religious." |
Posted By: soundspectrum
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 02:43
but dont you think that the fact they were better than any band with a fulltime keyboarbist that it makes them that much better.
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Posted By: ozzy_tom
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 06:19
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definitive prog band = ELP :-) -------------  
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Posted By: StyLaZyn
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 06:29
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Welcome to ProgArchives! Tough to say. IMO, Prog itself is difficult to really nail down because it takes on so many forms. If you consider the Prog of the 70's, I would say Genesis from Trespass through ATTWT. Yes, all of their line-ups. Rush, especially AFTK through MP. You know what? There are just too many now that I really think of it. ------------- 
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 07:47
| No band can define progrock. It is impossible. |
Posted By: Sophocles
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 08:18
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Prog rock with all its variations can't be defined by just one band. Maybe you 'd rather ask for a list of bands and be more specific about the genre you are interested in.
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Posted By: febus
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 09:27
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KING CRIMSON and PINK FLOYD, i guess
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Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 11:17
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I'd go with the majority on this one, definitive prog for me is: King Crimson Yes Genesis (Gabriel/Hackett era) ELP Pink Floyd (Waters+Gilmour era) Caravan Focus ------------- Is it any wonder that the monkey's confused? |
Posted By: Evans
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 11:46
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King Crimson, and i don't even like them that much..
------------- 
'Let's give it another fifteen seconds..' |
Posted By: Jeremy Bender
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 12:21
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The Kings of Prog:
King Crimson
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Posted By: clarke2001
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 13:15
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ELP and Gentle Giant for me. If that is not prog rock, I don't know what is."King Crimson", the reply followed. ------------- |
Posted By: Tormato
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 13:18
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YES defined prog rock with CLOSE TO THE EDGE and confirmed it with THE GATES OF DELERIUM ------------- I like Tormato, so shoot me! Every person in the world can't think the same. |
Posted By: Tormato
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 13:20
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YES defined prog rock with CLOSE TO THE EDGE and confirmed it with THE GATES OF DELERIUM ------------- I like Tormato, so shoot me! Every person in the world can't think the same. |
Posted By: Ixtlan
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 15:13
I would say they also destroyed it with Tormato  !
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Posted By: armapo
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 17:20
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Surely King Crimson: before "In the court..." the Progressive Rock was another thing... ------------- Armando |
Posted By: paolo.beenees
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 17:27
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The Beatles ------------- 
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Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 17:39
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The beatles are one of the bands that you define as indefinate prog loser! It it true, I am sure most of us would consider king crimsons in the court would be the first real prog album, and yes did destroy they're progness with 90125, but I'm aiming for early to mid seventies when prog was in its prime. -------------
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Posted By: Ixtlan
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 17:47
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Here's a good analogy:
YES is the Neil Armstrong of prog bands, the rest are airplane pilots!
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Posted By: Fight Club
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 18:02
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I would probably go with King Crimson too. They represent all the good aspects of prog for which we all love the genre as well as all the bad aspects that people hate the genre for. Also one can find pretty much any sub genre of prog somewhere in their catelog. They've managed to touch upon everything from jazz style prog to hard rock. ------------- 
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Posted By: StarsongAgeless
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 18:55
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I couldn't agree more. Concept albums are also not something that defines progressive music, really. They exist in all genres... hehe just look at "Trapped In The Closet" - not quite a concept album, because it's actually just a really long song with a ton of parts, but it's definately not prog. Still, my definitive prog band is Yes, not King Crimson, just a matter of opinion. Hmm... apparently I quoted a post incorrectly. I was responding to someone saying that concept albums are over-done in prog.
I agree %100. Do you recognize my display name? It's not from either of those albums, but I'm guessing you know what it is. |
Posted By: Failcore
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 20:19
GG! I also second Zappa and KC. So many great artists, how can you narrow it down to one?  |
Posted By: floydisgod
Date Posted: April 18 2007 at 23:23
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ELP or King Crimson, but for me ELP is all the pretentiousness and negative image of prog while King Crimson IS prog... ------------- 
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Posted By: White Shadow
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 00:57
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Posted By: White Shadow
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 00:59
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Posted By: raindance2007
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 07:26
| Probably Gentle Giant. Complex and Catchy. Strong song writing.10 years of excellence. I think Crimson are way off the mark. I can only find about 7 or 8 strong songs between the albums In the court of the crimson king, Lizard, Islands, Larks, Red and Starless. That's 6 whole albums with an average of 1-2 strong songs on each and the occasional cool song. Poseidon is the classic which I love, but the other 6 are just solid albums and not much more. The band weren't even around in the 2nd half of the 70s either. |
Posted By: Soundscape42
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 08:57
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Hello there,
I am a newbie as well although I have been investigating this website for some time. I do not have a hands down answer for definitive prog. I agree that the forerunners such as KC, Genesis, Yes, Floyd, GG, Zappa all offered something that defines what we now call progressive music. But whoever we nominate the father of prog was not attempting to create a new genre of music, they were attempting to embrace rock as an art form, and incorporate the best of all that was already holy within the music realm. The took a dash of classical, and helping of jazz, the beatles layering and psychedelia, folks ability to tell a story, mixed it with a cultural dialogue and spoke to topics that had never been expressed with words and music like mythology, politics, high fantasy, environmentalism, and created a pastiche that blew everyone's mind for years to come. It all comes down to defining prog rock, well the aforementioned bands are definitely at the roots of the system which spawned all of our favorite music, and influenced everything to come. So as many of them started within the same time frame it comes down to who caught your attention the most. For myself, I have to say Genesis caught my attention as soon as I heard them, and ITCOTCK was a mindblowing experience as well. But I am a youngun so all of these bands came as a result of a retrospect. I got to Genesis through Abacab, and King Crimson through ELP's From the Beginning, and Piper came as a result of discovering the Wall. So for many of us, probably the definitive prog band was the first band we researched...and here I return to Genesis. ------------- Listen to the best prog rock new and old at www.thedividingline.com and check out my show Soundscape at www.thedividingline.com/ss. |
Posted By: Certif1ed
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 09:04
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It's interesting to note that most of the bands (and fans of the music) appeared to reject usage of the term "Progressive Rock" to describe the music at the very time that the definitive Prog Rock bands defined Prog Rock...
I think that Prog Rock became defined as the first wave came to an end, and people started rejecting it for the same reasons the original fans loved it - all the pretentiousness and pomp (GREAT!!!!).
Prog Rock in the late 1970s was a term used with a sneer - and still is, to some extent.
In other words, I don't think it was the bands as much as the audiences that defined Prog Rock - but, somewhat contrarily, to define what it is, you need to have a good understanding of the bands who were first associated with it.
King Crimson were (arguably, but consensually) first, so ITCOTK is what defines Prog Rock.
Everything else is relative to that seminal album. ------------- The important thing is not to stop questioning. |
Posted By: Philéas
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 09:48
| King Crimson is my choice aswell. |
Posted By: Froth
Date Posted: April 19 2007 at 14:26
Yes are the definative prog band. they define its successes and failures in equall measure.
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Posted By: Losendos
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 01:30
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My vote is for Yes .
I don't think Robert Fripp ever embraced the idea of prog and his avant gard ramblings were an embarrasment to prog lovers for the most part . Consider Moonchild or the second side of ITWOP . How can you explain away such crap?
Yes were not there at the start but I think from the first notes of The Yes Album that makes you take notice. Throw in the ethereal lyrics and Roger Dean artwork and they are through and through prog and still doing prog today.
Yes fully embraced the idea of prog (they were not afraid of being labelled ) and when they qere at their peak (1972 ) the music world was in awe. When they made Tales the prog enterprise began to collapse . Tales is the definitive album amongst proghaters . So Yes' peak is prog's heyday and their decline gives prog's enemies the ammunition they need. 1977 the excellent GFTO is the last year of a great era and In 1978 the poppish Tormato signals the death of the era.
They are not necessarily my favorite band but when people think prog they think first Yes and then 70s Genesis. Genesis identity has become murky over time but not Yes ------------- How wonderful to be so profound |
Posted By: Norbert
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 02:59
| It hardly can be narrowed down to one band. Maybe King Crimson, for making the first real prog album, but even that is debatable because many claim Freak out by Zappa or Piper by Floyd as the first real prog album. |
Posted By: tuxon
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 04:33
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King Crimson for progressiveness. Yes for making it popular ------------- I'm always almost unlucky _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Id5ZcnjXSZaSMFMC Id5LM2q2jfqz3YxT |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 12:12
I'd classify Piper as a psychedelic album rather than prog... only Interstellar Overdrive can really be considered to be a prog track... but then again psychedelia was the forerunner of prog. ------------- Is it any wonder that the monkey's confused? |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 18:30
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I would leave it at in the court -------------
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Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: April 20 2007 at 23:39
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The definitive prog band would definitely be Supersonic Rainbow they're only the most awesome band ever assembled. They've got the writing skillz of Yes, Beefheart, and KC, with distinctive and provocative vocals and awesome heroics in the solo department. Plus, they all look awesome and are really hardcore awesome guys, I hang with them all the time, we sit around joking about how crappy all pop musicians are and how pretentious it is to call themselves artists, because there is nothing artistic about their music. Kool guys. But really, KC ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Anguiad
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 15:04
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Even though I wasn't lucky enough to live in the golden era, I noticed seven bands through this site that fit nicely in the prog rock classic terms:
(in no particular order): -Pink Floyd -King Crimson -Yes -Jethro Tull -Genesis -Rush -Emerson Lake & Palmer These bands are the greatest ever, considered classics by everyone, but not loved by everyone. There are ten more bands, not precisely classics, but important bands, in a way or another: (no order again): -Van Der Graaf Generator -Camel -Gentle Giant -Porcupine Tree -Frank Zappa -Dream Theater -Marillion -Umm...I am not sure about the other three. Pehaps Can? Caravan? IQ? Flower Kings? Tool? It is your call, put your other three there. I am still a prog amateur. So choose the one you like! One of the grand seven or from the other"ten". The one you choose is your favourite and not necessarily the best.  ------------- "Tis your birth and faith that wrong you...not I." |
Posted By: clarke2001
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 16:15
Nice list. Three to add: Soft Machine, Magma and Gong...or Caravan. Or... ------------- |
Posted By: william314159
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 18:34
| Nickleback!!! |
Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 19:10
bahh. I'd put Gentle Giant in the top over Rush or Gentle Giant any day as far as classics go, but whatever ------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Fragile
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 20:25
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[QUOTE=Ixtlan]Only YES reached the top of the mountain, as short-lived as it was.[/QUOTE How was it short lived? Yes gave the prog world six gems;TYA,Fragile,Close to the Edge(the greatest music ever written) Tales,Relayer ,and Going for the One, hardly short lived.even Tormato in reflection was good, but not great. |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 20:59
You are one of the smartest people I have ever met! The Yes album-going for the one are all albums that define Prog -------------
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Posted By: Atomic_Rooster
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 21:44
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I don't know about Tales as a gem... talk about obtuse
------------- I am but a servant of the mighty Fripp, the sound of whose loins shall forever be upon the tongues of his followers. |
Posted By: Gianthogweed
Date Posted: April 26 2007 at 22:57
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Spirit of prog: King Crimson
Sound of prog: Yes
Personality: Jethro Tull
Popularity: Pink Floyd
Compositional Quality: Genesis
I think those are the big 5.
I would include ELP for Showmanship, but they kind of burned out too quickly.
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Posted By: clarke2001
Date Posted: April 27 2007 at 10:48
Well put, Hogweed!  You captured the essence!------------- |
Posted By: prog4evr
Date Posted: May 18 2007 at 05:37
What is it about PF that is prog? I agree with the other three, but the fourth band to define prog for me would be Camel...
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Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: May 18 2007 at 05:40
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It's probably ELP
..and Floyd has little to do with definitive Prog, IMO |
Posted By: Prophet
Date Posted: May 18 2007 at 06:22
It's been studied in the Encyclopedia of Music that common Rush fan defines the ultimate progressive music with a new Rush record. And now Hare Krishnas have joined them!
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Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: May 18 2007 at 06:52
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There is no definative Prog band and no single band defines Prog - that for me is the joy of the genre.
All of the bands mentioned thus far epitomise what it is to be Prog, but none of them definitively define it.
There are no rules to what is and what is not Prog, it is not a narrow genre like Black Metal or Ska-punk, this is why there are so many discussions on this forum about who should and shouldn't be in the Archive.
------------- What? |
Posted By: Mandrakeroot
Date Posted: May 18 2007 at 16:08
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For emotions in music: RENAISSANCE For all other reasons: YES, ELP, PFM, GG, VDGG, KC, LE ORME, BMS, MARILLION... ------------- 
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Posted By: debrewguy
Date Posted: May 18 2007 at 17:06
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If it's not AC/DC it might be prog or prog related
------------- "Here I am talking to some of the smartest people in the world and I didn't even notice,” Lieutenant Columbo, episode The Bye-Bye Sky-High I.Q. Murder Case. |
Posted By: AirKuhl
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 17:01
| The first rock album that blew away all others before it with completely new and groundbreaking new sounds, new tools, new production techniques, new arrangements, etc. is Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. Thus, it's the first prog rock album. It you don't believe me, ask the members of all the other bands mentioned here, most will tell you the same. (based on interviews I've read) |
Posted By: Sckxyss
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 17:12
Even if you think it is the first, is it really the one that best defines prog?
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Posted By: AirKuhl
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 17:22
Good point. On some abstract level based on it's relation to prior music, then yes. But as far as a representative sound (if such a thing is possible), I'll have to say that Yes is probably the poster child IMO. |
Posted By: Melomaniac
Date Posted: May 22 2007 at 17:23
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I'd say King Crimson is the definitive prog band, even though they're not my favorite band. ------------- "One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio |
Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 04:27
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The cheaters answer: ELP, because they were a super group. The thought out answer: of the three bands being disputed most right here (and I thought of them all too), I'd go with Genesis. King Crimson might have done the whole prog thing best, but they lacked several key elements of the genre: side epics, concept albums, overuse of keyboards (not that that's a bad thing). Yes had all that, but it sometimes feels more like dressed up art pop. Nope. Genesis had it all, EXCEPT for one thing that both Yes and Crimso had: frequent, psychotic lineup changes. Other than that though, Genesis did it all. Even sold out. Covered all bases. The REAL answer: dude, Tull? They invented prog. King Crimson TOTALLY stole "21st Century Schizoid Man" from "Song For Jeffrey." Then Tull invented metal AND arena rock. They're sold so short these days... ------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson |
Posted By: Atavachron
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 04:30
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except in the real world, few know Genesis' prog music, let alone Crimson's. And Tull are a distant memory.. more 'arena rock' than anything. Yes is still popular, but I think it's probably ELP. It wasn't their fault they were a 'supergroup', they were just three guys that had already been in successful bands. Zep was considered a supergroup, but only Page was well-known. It's an artificial term, I think.
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Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 04:36
Okay, think of it this way: ask a progger what the definative Tull album is, he'll say Thick. Ask a normal human being, he'll say 'Lung.
For the progsters, Genesis should be the definitive band. For outsiders, yeah, Yes or ELP are more known (read: get played on the radio from time to time in the form of "Lucky Man" or "All Good People"). I mean, they know Genesis, but as an 80's pop band.
For reasons stated above, I too would go with ELP. ------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson |
Posted By: Floydian42
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 06:29
| I'd go with Yes. When I hear prog in a non prog setting, there the first band I think of. Plus, they had it all, Skill, writing ability, a charismatic front man with a great voice! There a just a great major pioneer of Prog! |
Posted By: Cheesecakemouse
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 06:31
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? Zappa, King Crimson, Genesis, Yes, Can, Amon Duul II, Magma, Beatles, Traffic, Family...
------------- |
Posted By: endlessepic
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 12:13
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I don't think there is such a thing. Few bands have produced 100 percent progressive music their whole careers. (Anglagard is one of the few) I would say ELP because to me they are what made prog beautiful to my ears...however, I know that they are not the "definitive" band. In truth...is there such a thing? |
Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 15:05
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I dont consider Tull one of the three definative bands of prog, simply because... they lived on hits. I'm sorry, but it is true. How can you do two amazing albums like taab and a passion play, then come out with the very poppy and catchy three minuete long tunes of skating away and bungle in the jungle on the very non-prog warchild album? -------------
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Posted By: micky
Date Posted: May 23 2007 at 17:12
missed your post while I was on a vacation of sorts from the site....  Camel was a 2nd divsion prog band at best... by the time they hit their stride ...prog was heading down the toilet. IF Camel had breathed fresh life into prog and IMPACTED prog like the groups ..well.. the groups I listed. I'd see Camel being worthy of being a 'definitive' prog group. Sure the music is good... so are the scores of bands all of have in our collections, that few to anyone here have heard. It's about impact... not as much quality. Though they do often go hand in hand.... having one.. doesn't automatically mean the other. As far as Floyd... directly creating one sub-genre of prog (SR) and being a large influence on another (KR)... and hell.. I'd toss electronic prog in there as well. They may not have been high on the complexity scale.. but that isn't all that prog was about. It was much more about the artistic aestetic than meer complexity. In that.. Floyd was prog in spades. I don't see how anyone could seriously underestimate their impact and influence throughout prog. But that is just the way I see it of course hahahah ------------- The Pedro and Micky Experience - When one no longer requires psychotropics to trip |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 00:57
They lived on hits? Did you venture beyond Warchild and TOTR,TYTD and listen to the folksy Songs From The Wood (my favorite) and Heavy Horses, and the more rock-oriented Stormwatch and A? ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: RedProgDog
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 09:22
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Hi,
i find very hard to point one band that defines prog-rock genre.Of course almost everyone return to roots of this genre, but according to their taste.It'a a subjective choise. Mine's would be Yes, they stick to their guns and endurred through time, delivering complex but beauti full music, and for me allways inspireing and hopeful.
Stay PROG!!!
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Posted By: The Bard
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 09:41
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I would also go with Yes. Tull is not prog enough in my eyes. Yes also had more rock spouts than ELP while still having the keyboards and 20 minute epics. Even though I probably like ELP more, Yes is the definative. ------------- Let the music be your master. |
Posted By: evilromero
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 09:56
| For me it would be DT's Falling Into Infinity album. There's just so much variety and display of musicianship. |
Posted By: The Wizard
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 09:59
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Pink Floyd -------------  
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Posted By: yargh
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 12:31
| I agree with Yes as the definitive prog band. They embody just about every prog cliche -- good and bad -- that there is. 1) They started off as a non-prog band and became prog over time; 2) They were from England; 3) Their best material was great and helped change popular music; 4) They had rotating personnel; 5) The album covers; 6) the mystical lyrics; 6) They got bloated and stale toward the end of the '70s and stopped recording regularly; 7) They went "pop" in the '80s and had a commercial resurgence while alienating most of their old fans; 8) They went back to being somewhat progressive in the second half of the '90s to the present, but it was just a pale imitation of how good they once were; 9) there are legions of people on the internet who have deluded themselves into thinking that #8 isn't true. |
Posted By: Dean
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 14:22
...or alternatively substitute the name of your own favorite band above in place of Yes...  ------------- What? |
Posted By: yargh
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 14:37
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"...or alternatively substitute the name of your own favorite band above in place of Yes..."
No, it doesn't work for most bands -- that's why Yes is the definitive prog band. Most bands are missing at least one of those elements.
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Posted By: Dim
Date Posted: May 24 2007 at 19:42
Wrong  -------------
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Posted By: The Whistler
Date Posted: May 25 2007 at 05:48
One could say the same thing about Yes...they lived (and still do) off radio hits like "Seen All Good People," "Roundabout," and, dare I say it, "Loner of an Ownly Heart." And I still contend that Close to the Edge is a very looooong song, rather than a multi-part suite. It's just harder and softer in some places, and dressed up in complex soloing, but at heart, a nice little tune.
And Warchild not prog? Oh, you must hate that the Moody Blues are here... ------------- "There seem to be quite a large percentage of young American boys out there tonight. A long way from home, eh? Well so are we... Gotta stick together." -I. Anderson |