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What are the best prog rock bands?
Jun 9, 2023 · Our list of the best prog rock bands ever ranges from the genre's earliest groups to modern day stalwarts. Dive in!
- Brett Milano
- 6 min
- Pink Floyd. 5,542 votes. Pink Floyd is the epitome of progressive rock, known for their sonic experimentation and philosophical lyrics that define the genre.
- Yes. 4,367 votes. Yes is a remarkable band whose intricate arrangements and complex time signatures embody the core principles of progressive rock. Formed in 1968, this seminal group deftly combines elements of classical music, jazz, and rock into a mesmerizing symphony of sound.
- Rush. 4,506 votes. The Canadian power trio Rush stands as a testament to the boundless creative potential of progressive rock music. Since their inception in 1974, Rush has captivated listeners with their exceptional technical proficiency and ambitious conceptual albums, exploring themes ranging from science fiction to human emotion.
- Jethro Tull. 3,201 votes. Jethro Tull's unmistakable fusion of folk, blues, and hard rock with progressive elements has made them one of the most unique and enduring entities in the realm of prog rock.
- YES. WE SAY: Pre-eminent in the way prog has developed and grown since their inception in 1968, Yes have always been prepared to modify and alter their approach to suit the times, without sacrificing their overall style.
- Genesis. WE SAY: From their early days, when Peter Gabriel’s theatricality made them both unique and applauded, to the latter times when, with Phil Collins taking over as the frontman, the band became archetypal stadium rockers, Genesis have always been at the forefront of prog.
- Pink Floyd. WE SAY: Not just one of the great prog bands, but among the finest bands of all time in any genre, Pink Floyd, who began their music journey in 1968, enjoyed three different eras.
- King Crimson. WE SAY: Despite numerous line-up changes, and various bouts on hiatus, nobody can doubt the impact King Crimson have made on the music world.
- 3 min
- Jon Dolan,Brandon Geist,Jon Weiderhorn,Ryan Reed,Kory Grow,Reed Fischer,Richard Gehr,Dan Epstein,Will Hermes
- Happy the Man, ‘Happy the Man’ (1977) Formed in a James Madison University dorm room, Washington, D.C.- based Happy the Man recorded three venerated, mostly instrumental prog albums in the late 1970s, striking a seductive middle ground between sax-driven jazz-fusion lunacy (circa Zappa's One Size Fits All) and synth-heavy meditative twittering.
- Ruins, ‘Hyderomastgroningem’ (1995) Beaming down from the far reaches of the prog-rock galaxy, this Japanese drums and bass duo slam together mathematically improbable meters and dissonant blasts of rhythm with nonsense wails or demonic growls.
- FM, ‘Black Noise’ (1977) Superficially, Toronto-based FM had a lot working against them: Aside from Rush, Canada was never a prog hotbed, and the band released its debut album in 1977, as many of the genre's originators were fading.
- Crack the Sky, ‘Crack the Sky’ (1975) American rockers aren't known for their prog ambitions, and the bands that did push the boundaries usually slipped through the commercial cracks.
- Pink Floyd. Formed in 1965, Pink Floyd was likely the most famous progressive rock band and even one of the most famous bands in history that has lasted for several decades (with a few breaks in between).
- Rush. With roots in Toronto, Canada, the group Rush formed in 1968, though the group’s members cycled a bit before settling. Rush’s lineup at its height consisted of lead vocalist and bassist Geddy Lee, drummer Neil Peart, and guitarist Alex Lifeson.
- Yes. With a name as simple as Yes, you might expect the same from the band’s music. But Yes’s music is anything but, featuring complex music matched by interesting conceptual themes and stunning visuals.
- King Crimson. If you were surprised by Yes’s long list of band members, get ready for King Crimson, a group that boasts 22 members in different lineups over the years.
North American progressive rock bands and artists often represented hybrid styles such as the complex arrangements of Todd Rundgren's Utopia and Rush, the eclectic psychedelia of Spirit, the hard rock of Captain Beyond, the Southern rock-tinged prog of Kansas, the jazz fusion of Frank Zappa and Return to Forever, and the eclectic fusion of the ...
You can find the progressive rock music discographies from 12,509 bands & artists, 75,775 albums (LP, CD and DVD), 2,064,330 ratings and reviews from 69,368 members who also participate in our active forum.
