Progressive Rock was a music genre that rose into popularity in the late 1960s and early to mid 1970s, and it has since became infamous for being perceived as overblown and pompous.
Whereas rock music traditionally drew from rhythm and blues, progressive rock expanded that sound by adding classical and jazz inspirations. The songs tended to be long, sometimes with multiple parts, similar to classical symphonies. A handful of musicians even played with several prominent bands at different points in their careers.
King Crimson
King Crimson endured many, many lineup changes over the years, with founder and guitarist Robert Fripp (far right on the image above) as the only constant. Fripp was known for using very unorthodox guitar tunings. The original 1969 lineup featured Greg Lake (of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame) on vocals and bass, Michael Giles on drums, the lyrics of Peter Sinfield, and Ian McDonald (who later founded Foreigner) on various woodwinds and keyboards. Drummer Bill Bruford of Yes later joined the band in the 1970s.
From their debut album "In the Court of the Crimson King:"
From the second album (Greg Lake's last before joining Emerson, Lake & Palmer):
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Keyboardist Keith Emerson, vocalist and bassist/guitarist Greg Lake, and drummer Carl Palmer each left popular groups to form their own super-group in 1970. Emerson was fascinated with classical music, and that had a heavy influence on their sound. He was also known for his stage antics, which included playing a rotating piano and attacking a Hammond organ.
Emerson helped to popularize the Moog Modular synthesizer with his solo at the end of "Lucky man."
Yes
Yes has had a very long and storied career. Their albums are known for long compositions, some of which filled up entire record sides. "Tales from Topographic Oceans" was a double album with only four songs, one for each record side. Their classic lineup included Jon Anderson on vocals, Rick Wakeman on keyboards, Bill Bruford on drums, Steve Howe on guitar, and Chris Squire on bass.
"Roundabout" is one of their more radio-friendly songs from the 1970s.
"Close to the Edge" is a personal favorite of mine.
Genesis
If your experience of the band Genesis is the Phil Collins-as-frontman era, you might be surprised to know that their sound from the 1980s and onward is worlds apart from the original lineup from the late 1960s through the early 1970s. It featured Peter Gabriel on vocals, Phil Collins on drums, and Steve Hackett on guitar.
This song goes back and forth between light and heavy, with many different instruments.
Gabriel was incredibly theatrical onstage, as this live performance of "Supper's Ready" shows.
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This is my very favorite style of music. I've seen Yes twice and own most of their recordings. I'm also a big ELP fan. Genesis is no longer progressive but their earlier years was very good. I consider Duke to be their last progressive recording but consider the song Domino their last progressive song. Anther you didn't mention is Rush. The thing with progressive bands is they have some of the most proficient instrument players. Steve Howe is one of three and only three in Guitar Player magazines Hall Of Greats. To be in the hall you must win best overall 5 times and once in can no longer be nominated. The other two are Eric Johnson and Steve Morse. Chris Squire is acknowledged as the best bass player and Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman are regarded as the best keyboardists. On the drums Chester Thompson and Neil Peart are tough to find better
Rush is definitely one of my favorite bands! I didn't include them here because I was trying to focus on the early years of the genre (1969 to 1973, roughly).
I have a friend who is... *very* into Yes and Rush, lol.
And beer. He likes beer.
This is one style of music that has mostly passed me and my brothers by, but, I'll check out the videos/recordings.
I get the sense that the fan base of prog rock is almost exclusively male. (Same as the fan base of They Might Be Giants and other newer acts like that.) Do you know any women who are into it? I don't.
Also Gentle Giant, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep