Which of THESE prog rock bands is the best?

[OtterMan68]

Favorite Progressive Rock Band of these listed

Alan Parsons Project

Genesis (Peter Gabriel days)

Jethro Tull

King Crimson

Pink Floyd

Rush

Yes

Updates

1 y

Emerson Lake and Palmer would have been a good choice too

Updates

1 y

Moody Blues too

[Lliam]

It's impossible to say who is the best. They are all A+. So it's just a matter of preference.

I never saw the Alan Parsons Project or King Crimson live.

I saw Genesis just once in Hollywood in about 1974.

I Rush just once. It was at the L. A. Forum in the early 80s.

I saw Pink Floyd in about 1971 and many other times. One of those concerts in the early 70s was in quadaphonic. That was mind blowing. Can you imagine listening to One of These Days live in quadraphonic?

I saw Yes open for Deep Purple in 1971. They blew me way. They were headliners from then on. I saw each of their subsequent tours through the 70s.
Their Tails of Topographic Oceans tour had the most amazing stage I ever saw in my life, designed by Roger Dean. Chris Squire played a triple necked bass. Rick Wakeman was surrounded by keyboards. Alan White's drum kit surrounded him and there was a animated carapace on top that looked like an alien insect.

I first saw Tull on their Aqualung tour. The music and showmanship blew my mind. Ian in that plaid overcoat and boots, Jeffrey Hammond Hammond in a striped suit with a striped base was psychedelic, Martin Barre looked and sounded insane, and John Evans acted like a Mad Hatter on keys. I was tripping on LSD.
That stands out as one of the best concerts I ever saw in my life. Maybe the second best behind one particular LedZep concert in which they did 5 on demand encores. I'm sure Zep remembers that particular concert to this very day.

Tull has always been one of my favorites. Benefit is one of my all time favorite albums. The song Play In Time still makes me hallucinate. LOL I love it!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/H0pC56L-AIY

That Tales of Topographic Oceans comes in an easy third on my list.

I went to hundreds of concerts in the 70s. Many of them had three amazing opening acts. To quote Batty on The Blade Runner, "I've seen things that you people wouldn't believe."

[Lliam]

Oh, and I saw ELP several times, too. There was one in which Keith Emerson's grand piano did somersaults while he sat at it playing.

[Lliam]

Thanks for the MHO, OtterMan.

[WindAtMyBack]

Out of those, I would say Pink Floyd.

I would not call Jethro Tull or Rush prog rock. They are a completely different kind of music than prog rock.

I never liked Yes or Genesis either one. And King Crimson is too depressing. So that basically leaves Pink Floyd and Alan Parsons. I think Pink Floyd is way better than Alan Parsons.

A band that should have been on that list is The Moody Blues. There were also bands like Renaissance, Supertramp, and Mike Oldfield.

[Nikki1989]

Now you are talking. Yes has always been my favourite prog band. King Crimson is probably the second choice.

[AI Opinion]

Prog rock is such an exciting genre! When it comes to choosing the best progressive rock band, it honestly boils down to one's personal taste. Bands like Pink Floyd and King Crimson have left a massive imprint on the genre with their groundbreaking experimental sounds and exceptional musicianship. Pink Floyd has that thematic and atmospheric magic, especially noticeable in albums like "The Dark Side of the Moon" and "Wish You Were Here." On the other hand, King Crimson’s complex arrangements and innovative use of instruments in albums like “In the Court of the Crimson King” make them a timeless choice too. So, it really depends — are you more into the psychedelic charm of Pink Floyd or the intricate, avant-garde compositions of King Crimson? 🌌🎸

[Steve-Handjobs]

I'd love to shove a ball gag into your mouth.

[Dargil]

@Steve-Handjobs Forget your meds, today?

[beefcakebradybatson]

@Dargil Rush and I are Canadian lads born in 1953.(RIP, drummer Neal Peart !!!)

[altaboy]

I said Jethro Tull, but I am torn between them and Pink Floyd. Both bands have been great favourites of mine. I only picked JT because I suspect they will be under-rated here, but now I feel like I betrayed part of myself. Part of me was thinking, "I really don't mind if you sit this one out."

[DrPepper12]

Did you HAVE TO Make me choose between rush or yes? They are both wildly progressive in early in their career. That's not in doubt and they were the best at it with Genesis running a distant third. As their careers evolved Rush became less progressive while yes stayed in that vein but just the same mingled in pop too with 90212. I really love both of them equally but it depends on my mode. Lately I've been favoring rush but that could change quickly.

[LiamJHayden]

Of these, my favorite is Yes by a wide margin. Steve Howe is a huge influence on my acoustic playing.

[KostasKouvalis]

Oh this should be good! I think Pink Floyd is one of the greatest bands ever, period! So any list with Pink Floyd on it, will most likely get my vote

[beefcakebradybatson]

Pink Floyd's GREAT !!!

[OlderAndWiser]

My favorite is Alan Parsons Project, based on the songwriting and production, but they are not collectively better musicians than King Crimson, Pink Floyd, Rush, Yes, or the Dregs.

[Dargil]

King Crimson, UK, PFM, Triumvirat, Moody Blues, ELP and ELO had their strengths, too.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Rush, partly because we're Canadian lads !!!

[MisterWack]

Rush & Jethro Tull for me personally.

[MysticDevice]

RUSH is my favorite. By an enormous margin.

[Pterodon]

Yes. I’m a big fan of them

[shortster]

Pink Floyd, without question.

[lexie_xo]

PINK FLOYD