Summary
Progressive rock, commonly shortened to ‘prog’, was seen by its proprietors as the natural progression from the limited format of pop rock that guitar music had became. It sought to achieve the musical poise of jazz or classical music, and was consequently championed as ambitious and innovative. The style of music flourished fully in the 1970s and is consensually seen as a thoroughly European movement. Its primary characteristic was to draw influence from an eclectic range of inspiration, such as psychedelic rock and avant-garde music. Instrumental compositions often described as epic, were utilised to mimic classical musicianship. The use of unusual time signatures and scales also added to this effect.
Moreover, the inclusion of classical pieces in songs was common, such as Cans and Brahms [Extracts from Brahms' 4th Symphony in E Minor Third Movement] by Yes. Other musical attributes of prog involve ambient soundscapes and theatrical elements used to describe scenes and events usually supporting a larger concept. Indeed, an overarching theme and story are common to most progressive rock bands this is exhibited not only through music and lyrics but also in the form of album art. Artists such as Roger Dean and Storm Thorgerson created fantastical and metaphysical designs to compliment the grandiose music that was being created. Influenced By
Whereas rock music in 1970s America was inspired by the blues, progressive rock supplanted it with jazz or classical music. For instance, Emerson Lake and Palmer have performed arrangements of pieces by Copland, Bartók, Moussorgsky, Prokofiev, Janacek, Alberto Ginastera, and often feature quotes from J. S. Bach in lead breaks.
The jazz influence can be shown most clearly through the unorthodox time signatures most commonly favoured by Rick Wakeman of Yes. Eight Miles High by the Byrds which featured a similar lead style to that of John Coltrane can be taken as a psychedelic rocks input to the progressive genre. Although these forms of music influenced the genre, the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is cited by most progressive rock authorities as the beginning. It is viewed as the first ever concept album and a landmark of successful and influential experimentation with electronic and tape collage effects.
Influence On
Progressive rock arguably paved the way for punk since the latter was viewed by many as a rebellion against the pretentious tendencies of its predecessor. Whereas prog was about musical virtuosity punk sought to prove it could be done by anyone. In terms of actual influence, as opposed to anti-influence, prog has inspired a further ‘3 waves’ of itself spanning a further 3 decades; bands including Styx from the 1980s and Porcupine tree from the 1990s are examples of the progression of prog. Perhaps most importantly, prog inspired numerous sub-genres, including: Canterbury Scene,
Indo-Prog/Raga Rock, Italian Symphonic Prog, Krautrock, Neo Progressive and many more. The list includes everything from Avant-Prog to Zeuhl. Notwithstanding, one of my favourite styles is a clear ancestor of prog; Math rock. Math rock seeks to blend the intricacies of progressive and avant-garde rock.
Image/Fashion
For the most part prog bands were comprised of grubby polytechnic students who wore flares and duffle coats. What was lacking in terms of trendy clothing was made up for in musical genius and eccentric stage aesthetics.
That was until ELP, who adorned progs’ most recognised garment, the cape. Otherwise, Genesis lead singer Peter Gabriel wore many different colourful and exotic costumes in one show and Marillion's former lead singer Fish wore a jester costume inspired by the band's first album, Script for a Jester's Tear. Fashion was not hugely important factor to prog music since the focus was on the enormous stage theatrics. Nevertheless, progs’ most iconic image is still that of three juggernauts thundering down the rock highway with "Emerson", "Lake" and "Palmer" emblazoned across their roofs.
Cultural Significance
Progressive rocks cultural significance can be viewed as some what of a renaissance in the re-popularity of classical forms of music. It was therefore dubbed the “thinking mans music” and was a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." Consequently Britain’s role as the bastion of rock innovative rock music was galvanized by the genre.
The decline of progressive rock is often seen as part of wider commercial turn in popular music in the second half of the 1970s, during which many funk or soul bands switched to disco, and smooth jazz gained popularity over jazz fusion. Most significantly, the decline of progressive music paved the way for punk rock, which had a poignant cultural significance.
Significant Artists/Albums
Emerson, Lake and Palmer – Brain Salad Surgery
Emerson, Lake and Palmer were a super group comprising of members from King Crimson, Atomic Rooster and the Nice. The year was 1973 and Brain Salad Surgery was ELP’s fourth release. It featured controversial cover art, giving reference to fellatio, by surreal artist H. R. Giger. The album is an epic, futuristic fusion of rock and classical themes. Jerusalem was the only single but failed to be released following objections from the BBC. The album's longest composition, Karn Evil 9, which is more than 30 minutes in length, consists of three movements or "impressions", the first and third separated by an extended instrumental passage.
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/emersonlakepalmer/albums/album/138480/review/5941199/brain_salad_surgery
Yes - Fragile
Yes are an English progressive rock band that formed in London in 1968. Fragile is their fourth album, and was the first to include synth player Rick Wakeman. It is best known for the song "Roundabout". The cover design by Roger Dean depicts a tiny planet on the front. On the back, the planet has begun to break up and the population is escaping in a wooden space glider, the idea inspired the film Floating Islands.
http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/263760/review/6213024/fragile
King Crimson – In the Court of King Crimson
King Crimson is a musical group founded by guitarist Robert Fripp and drummer Michael Giles in 1969. Their debut album, In the Court of the Crimson King, is widely regarded as a landmark in progressive rock. The album reached #3 on the British charts. 21st Century Schizoid Man is the renowned to be the best song on the album the lyrics consist of a short poem with one or more metaphors in every line. Many believe that the lyrics are a prophecy, telling the listener how the world will be in the 21st century
http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kingcrimson/albums/album/215038/review/6067524/in_the_court_of_the_crimson_king
