Progressive Rock
tagStarted 1969Peak 1971-1977Last big hit still active
Located in 1 route
The flagship form: multi-part compositions stretching past ten minutes, shifting time signatures, Hammond organ and Mellotron washes, fantastical lyrics and conceptual scope. Rooted in classical and jazz, it prizes instrumental virtuosity and dynamic range over the verse-chorus pop song. Grand, complex, album-oriented.
History
Crystallized in Britain when King Crimson's 1969 debut fused jazz brass, distortion and chamber arrangement. Yes, Genesis, ELP, Jethro Tull and Gentle Giant built it into an arena phenomenon by 1972-1974. Punk's 1977 backlash pushed it underground, but a 1990s neo-prog and crossover revival kept it alive worldwide.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progressive_rock
- https://www.progarchives.com/
- https://www.allmusic.com/style/progressive-rock-ma0000002797