TEN GREATEST PROG MUSICIANS EVER!

[@badger500]

Ian Anderson, particularly if you take him at his peak (as we should do for everyone as aging plays its role on voices and energy) should make the list because he is or was an 11-tuple threat: 1) Excellent composer, 2) excellent lyricist, 3) excellent singer, 4) excellent acoustic guitar player, 5) excellent flautist, 6) Good sax player (on A Passion Play), 7) Fine harmonica player, 8) Home studio producer, 9) Excellent frontman/"performer" 10) Creative force for their album covers and stage shenanigans, and 11) Fine steward/curator of their legacy through beautifully done box sets, books, etc.

[@jazzguitarmichael9753]

Yes, he definitely should be on this list.

[@robinsommarstrom8705]

Totally agree!

[@NeunExtraleben]

not to forget: arranger

[@deksteri1813]

Precisely. Aside from Zappa, I think Ian's musical personality shines through the strongest when it comes to the prog bands of the 70s.

[@BringingPsycheBacktoPsychiatry]

Ian Anderson was the first person that came to my mind.

[@chrismunns1163]

Chris squire great bass player - particularly good live and a great backup vocalist

[@paulbrookes413]

@@chrismunns1163 Better vocals than Anderson !

[@PointyTailofSatan]

In fact, Squire was so good, Yes was close to being a bass lead band.

[@Mr6saabs]

Whoa. Quite the challenge to come up with such a top ten. Many criteria to take into account. Author, composer, interpreter, and how influential these musicians have been. My list includes the following ten individuals: Ian Anderson, Bill Bruford, Robert Fripp, David Gilmour, Steve Hackett, Peter Hammill, Mike Oldfield, Neil Peart, Rick Wakeman, John Wetton. Honorable mentions are: Jon Anderson, Tony Banks, Keith Emerson, Edgar Froese, Peter Gabriel, Allan Holdsworth, Steve Howe, Tony Levin, Chris Squire, Steven Wilson. All these musicians are monuments of “prog”. The amount of talent. Incredible.

[@Silkyfur]

Great list!

[@atheistbushman]

Great list, I would add Zappa

[@MrDjango1953]

Thijs van Leer is probably the best all round Prog musician in terms of having a really solid classical academic musical training as well as a real knowledge of bebop based music...He is a superb pianist (listen to the superb piano tone he gets on the track Moving Waves) and certainly technically Thijs is the best flautist in Rock.He could quite easily have become a professional classical flautist. I would also say IN NO ORDER Ian Anderson (an all round musical genius and the greatest English lyricist since Noel Coward) ,Steve Howe who set a whole new standard for rock guitar playing,Bill Bruford for reinventing rock drumming,Chris Squire for reinventing rock bass,Jan Akkerman, a guitarist of astonishing originality ,Keith Emerson,the greatest Prog keyboardist bar none, Robert Fripp for his perfect guitar technique and in showing rock and intellect can live together quite naturally, Ray Shulman for his brilliant multi instrumental skills and for always playing the violin and viola with perfect intonation (a rare thing even in classical circles) and Peter Gabriel for his superb vocal ability and his desire to always move forward musically. I don't include any neo prog (despite having worked with Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness who i have the greatest respect for) because the standards of todays new prog musicians is way below what i call the 'Class of 1947' generation. Maybe not in terms of instrumental technique but in terms of really ORIGINAL musical ideas They were pretty special all of these 1947'ers (and around) .Yes,Tull,Pink Floyd,Genesis,Gentle Giant, King Crimson,ELP,Focus.............................................We shall not see their like again.....Oh yes and definitely Mike Oldfield (if i'm allowed eleven greatest!)

[@altair8598]

Glad you mentioned Thijs! Barry should do a top 20.

[@pierrelangedoc5292]

so true about Akkerman and Van Leer.Two amazing musicians.

[@tixximmi1]

Classical? Bebop? Zappa has him beat.

[@Bo-tz4nw]

Ian Anderson - Yes (!) Focus, but there Jan Akkerman, always the best.

[@MrDjango1953]

@@tixximmi1 talking about keyboardists though.And there is nil bebop in Zappa's guitar playing

[@stevejones9740]

I'd have John Evan (Tull) in there somewhere. Anderson is a great all-rounder, but he needed a truly great pianist/organist to make Tull what it was in the band's heyday. Take a bow, John Evan.

[@stublag4132]

i agree.John Evan was (is) a remarkable keyboardist and i know for a fact that he wrote quite a bit of Thick As A Brick (the great stomping jig that is at the end of side 1 for example) He was too modest for his own good.Listen to the amazing piano intro to Locomotive Breath of course as well and technically he was a match for Keith Emerson without a doubt. I always remember reading a quote from Ian Anderson from an early 70s interview where he said ''now that John Evan is in the band everything is possible''

[@robfractal6820]

Gilmour, Howe, Squire, Guy Evans, Hammill, Fripp, Emerson, Steve Wilson, Banks, Gavin Harrison

[@jeffreywyatt6425]

Greatest and most inventive drummer - Guy Evans of Van Der Graaf Generator - never flashy, but his off beat timing and his fills are sublime. Hugh Barton, too of VDGG, must rate as one of the greatest players and composers - which is exemplified on tracks like - Over The Hill, Every Bloody Emperor and Pilgrms.

[@sallocurto1571]

Oh stop this silliness. Keith Emerson invented the genre with the Nice starting in ‘67. Whether you like ELP or not, Emerson’s contributions and skills are far greater than anyone placed ahead of him, including Wakeman and Banks.

[@toddfrank3344]

In..your..opinion. When you get as good as those guys are, it really comes down to who you like, not any objective standard. It's like guys who insist that John Bonham is the greatest drummer ever, because he's their FAVORITE drummer (and Zep is likely their favorite band). You like Keith better than Rick and Tony, which is fine. I like what Rick said about it. Keith had the better left hand, I had the better right hand. LOL

[@themaven4054]

@sallocurto1571 You’re 1000% correct…in another video of his he has ELP as one of the ten prog bands he “f**king hates”. Banks and Wakeman shouldn’t even be in the same discussion with Keith Emerson and as a side note Peart is close but these other drummers he mentions are in no way better than Carl Palmer. It’s just disappointing how he trashes ELP in that other video.…he likes YES fine, ugh to me I’ll take ELP! To each his own…

[@davidmorgan6896]

As a Yes and Genesis fan of over 45 years, I wouldn't put either Wakeman or Banks on any top ten list. Emerson is OK, but completely lacks any sense of taste. Wakeman is technically capable, but is way too tied to the Western Classical tradition and just regurgitates Bach noodlings ad nauseum; his solo stuff is risible. Banks isn't very good at all, the only musos in the band were Hackett and Collins. The keyboardist you are looking for is Patrick Moraz, the best keys player Yes ever had.

[@gwangi64]

Emerson was hugely influential on the development of Prog and other groups who became famous in the genre. Peter Gabriel and Tony Banks saw The Nice at The Marquee and Banks said it's still the most exciting gig he's ever seen. When Yes recruited Wakeman, Chris Squire said it was "to compete with the Keith Emersons of this world". The Nice had pretty much become a Prog band by the time of 1968's Ars Longa Vita Brevis, a year before King Crimson's In The Court came out. Emerson's musicianship, showmanship and adventurous musical eclecticism were central to developing and popularising the genre.

[@toddfrank3344]

@@themaven4054 Back to the tired "who's best" argument. Palmer isn't "better" than Peart..you LIKE him better (do I have to bring up the fact that Palmer still can't keep time to save his ass?). Ditto regarding Emerson and Wakeman. To say that Wakeman doesn't belong in the same discussion as Emerson is ridiculous. BOTH were influential.

[@user-tm3ln6qq5q]

I'm not really a prog fan, but find this channel perfect comfort-viewing.

[@masudashizue777]

Glad to see Rick Wakeman on your list. The Six Wives of Henry VIII is my favorite.

[@lordprotector3367]

He should be No 1.

[@VultureClone]

Keith Emerson's skills are so woefully underappreciated. I wish people would stop harping on about how much they hate ELP while completely ignoring his insane talent. And he deserves the spot in this list over Wakeman, Banks or anyone in my opinion.

[@jayspeijer614]

The issue with Emerson, and with ELP, is that he and they let their talent get in the way of their song craft. What is the point of showcasing boatloads of virtuosity if the music becomes overwhelming or tedious? I’ve tried multiple times to get through The Show that Never Ends, and can’t, because the album title is so apt, and not in a good way. This is the same reason I’ll take Queensryche over Dream Theater and Genesis over Yes. All bursting with talent, but with Queensryche and Genesis the virtuosity is woven to support and enhance the song, while DT and Yes sometimes tend to use the song merely as a vehicle to show off their fast and/or clever playing.

[@stuartblagdenguitarist]

Emerson is easily the best prog keyboardist ever.Technically in a different class to Wakeman and Banks.Also he can really play jazz -- his knowledge of bebop is as good as the best jazz organists.Add to that his knowledge of 20th century classical music.Its absurd to say anyone else is in the same class.

[@martyn26.2]

@@jayspeijer614 There's more to Keith Emerson than ELP. What about The Nice , solo and soundtrack work? You don't seem to have taken anything other than ELP into account. Is a factor in your mind ELP made more money?

[@MikeBoni]

@@jayspeijer614 Well put.

[@mogulmeister]

Well one shouldn’t dismiss Keith’s ELP work. I remember being thoroughly transported by “The Three Fates” on the eponymous first album.

[@zootallures6470]

Allan Holdsworth, Thijs van Leer, Hugh Banton, Kerry Minnear, Dave Stewart, Eddie Jobson.

[@elliotwalton6159]

I've been listening to prog since the 1970s, but I'm just here to learn about what I've been listening to all these decades. It makes re-listening so much more enjoyable.

[@MrSinnerBOFH]

Excellent list. Mike Oldfield seems to be unknown in the Prog world, which is quite a pity. Listen to his first solo album "Tubular Be;;s", his best album "Ommadawn" and his most innovative (and middle finger album to Virgin) "Amarok". Just a gifted prodigy, a brilliant multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. What a career!

[@samdemic3373]

Ommadawn, I absolutely love that albun. The African drumming crescendo makes the hairs on my neck stand up, even after 50 years of listening.

[@chelfyn]

@@samdemic3373 It's what I would want played at my funeral. Especially ending with On horseback, I want everyone to know that I like Beer and I like Cheese

[@samdemic3373]

@@chelfyn Hey and away we go, through the grass, across the snow Big brown beasty, big brown face, I'd rather be with you than flying through space! Havent we witnessed the best decades in music! 😁👍

[@chelfyn]

@@samdemic3373 Absolutely. We will never see their like again!

[@davidmorgan6896]

Oldfield is far from unknown. He's not highly regarded, but certainly not unknown.

[@wonder6789]

Greg Lake - as bass player and singer !

[@devirijk9461]

I thoroughly agree with your list. Thank you for honouring these most excellent choices.

[@bugsunplugged]

Agree your list is more accurate. Bill Bruford is my all-time favorite drummer.

[@Patrick-sheen]

These videos keep getting better

[@MrMjp58]

You have some great ideas for videos, mostly because they inspire our own hierarchies and lists. I’ve not considered this question before, but here goes (assuming we can have vocalists as well), with date qualifications: 1 Emerson, up to ‘73 2 Gabriel, up to ‘75 3 Banks, ditto 4 Haslam, ‘77 - ‘80 5 Anderson (Jon) ‘70 - ‘78 6 Anderson (Ian), ‘69 - ‘70 7 Ackerman, May ‘73 8 Latimer, ‘’77 -‘80 9 Collins, ‘71 - ‘75 10 Giles, ‘69 - ‘71 Reserves: Lake, Rutherford, Howe, Van Leer. Choose your own years for these.

[@Roadie-1963]

I like your list. He should talk more about Renaissance on this channel, too much testosterone floating about.

[@pipandkitty2004]

Mike Oldfield definitely deserves to be in the top five because to me he brought prog rock to the masses with his crisis album , shame we don’t have any more recent work from him

[@rodoherty1]

I would absolutely keep John Petrucci on that list. So many wonderful riffs and solos.

[@willyupshaw]

Barry's list is better. Hacket, Bruford and Squire have to be on the list, and Mike Oldfield is a nice personal choice, which I agree with. But Fripp should be higher than #9.

[@coltonbeatty6117]

Hackett blows

[@Herknungr]

Pull Me Under is a classic by Dream Theater because it has quiet moments. Maybe number 10 Petrucci for me.

[@KNOPFLERSGOD]

I am glad your list includes Mike Oldfield. He is a genius, I always thought your channel could do with some Oldfield 😊

[@Dales815]

Your list is in all ways superior. It is perfect.

[@prayerchum]

Peter Hammil and Christian Vander would probably top my list. absolutely visionary and extraordinary. Then, Peart, Hackett, Banks all come to mind. So those might be my top 5

[@sportster16301]

Spot on as usual my friend.

[@StephenIsaacs-g3p]

If you are excluding vocalists yours is a pretty good list but surely David Jackson deserves a place. His contribution to VDGG was immense and unique. Even now you will travel far to find a saxophonist with his range - from the fragile and poignant to the chaotic and savage. Honestly, when H to He came out people had never heard anything like his solo on Killer - not in any genre - and his subsequent work on Pawn Hearts was even more extraordinary.

[@andrewdyke5561]

My top 10 Rick wakeman Keith emerson Robert fripp Bill brueford Chris squire Tony levin Steve howe Ian anderson Peter garbiel Jon anderson

[@atheistbushman]

I second Bill Bruford and Steve Howe

[@jmurm2722]

저와 매우 비슷한 성향이네요 😅 from S.korea

[@Matty0923]

What a great list, glad to see all 3 members of Rush in there.

[@JohnnyRecently]

Groovy list. I'd like to see a top-ten prog composer list.

[@dizzypilots2639]

Steve Hackett, to this day he keeps prog alive and the genre is in his soul.

[@stepheng1690]

My top 5 is.... 5 - Steve Hackett 4 - Mike Rutherford 3 - Peter Gabriel 2 - Phil Collins 1 - Tony Banks! Easy 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@grandadneal8114]

You have the Genesis of a great list there. Run with it

[@truefilm6991]

Now we are talking!

[@stepheng1690]

For Genesis not to have one member in the Prog top 10 is an absolute embarrassment & I'm surprised Barry did this video 😡😡😡

[@truefilm6991]

@@stepheng1690 Genesis is uncool. Peter Gabriel would be the only "safe" choice. It's the same old story since forever.

[@brucehelppie6119]

i love your commentaries, even if i don't know all of the musicians you mention. if you don't have a PhD. in musicology, you deserve one. i don't know where you derived all your knowledge, but it makes me think you either owned a record store, or were a dj at some point. your blunt brutal honesty is both humorous and entertaining. the british accent adds a dimension as well.

[@6stringstandard136]

As much of a Rush fan as I am, I completely agree with replacing Geddy Lee with Chris Squire. Also agree that Steve Howe should definitely be on this list.

[@johncalvo1743]

Why's that? Geddy was the composer behind Rush's music, sang, played keyboards, and in my opinion surpassed Squire as a bass player by the end of his career.

[@micknotfromleitrim]

I think Geddy would probably agree with you

[@ArchStanton19966]

Totally disagree. Geddy all the way over Squire. He was the lead vocalist, not a backup singer. He played keyboards, taurus pedals and bass. And he was proficient in all those areas. Not to mention songwriting, arranging and was often co-producer on all their albums.

[@mutantryeff]

Pelican is a Progressive Post-Metal Band. Seeing them live twice (Baltimore Deathfest 2013 and San Francisco 2013) I find much of their music to be well done.

[@phillipcraig6657]

How about Peter Hamill, vocals/lyrics/keyboards/guitar? He seems to have a great deal of personal integrity and is a great interview subject.

[@stevensprouse2449]

My list would have to include Jon Anderson. His vocals are sublime as is his writing. And he became a musician if we must include musical instruments with his first solo album Olias of Sunhillow.The first time a heard Fragile music changed for me forever.

[@downtherabbithole1353]

Glad to see Peart, Oldfield and Gilmour on you list.

[@waterboys3001]

I like ELP. John Peel was a clueless opportunist. I'm 67 and I gave up listening to his show at uni when he became a punk. I knew him as a hippie. The Who made rock operas, that is prog. Zeppelin thought they were prog when they recorded Stairway to Heaven. The prog label came later.

[@classicalbum]

The Who are prog....?

[@shabbapaul9983]

I remember listening to John Peel playing Fanfare and saying “ ELP, sounding as good as they ever did” 😂 I was born too late to see ELP live in their heyday but made the effort to see them at the Classic rock festival in London. So glad I did. I’m seeing Steve Hacket again in a week and saw Rick Wakeman and Nick Mason earlier this year. I’m firmly of the belief that prog is a British genre and apart from discipline, Drama and 90125 was a 70s phenomenon. My only Rush album is Hemispheres and ironically, recorded not far from me in Monmouth. Love this YT channel and Andy Edward’s and guess what ? British 🇬🇧 😂

[@robertglisson6319]

@@classicalbum< no one was prog at the time the music was recorded. They were all under the umbrella of rock. ELP, Yes, Floyd and Tull fans were also fans of Led Zeppelin, The Who, and other major bands that sold out stadiums. And vice versa.

[@nietzscheankant6984]

@@robertglisson6319 And many 'normal' rock bands got kinda "proggy" at times - long songs, nontraditional song forms, odd time signatures etc.

[@ZOOTSUITBEATNICK1]

ask 1000 people, get 1500 answers... fun vid anyway

[@jeffreyratliff4685]

Great list! No surprise it included all of the classic Yes lineup. BTW Bill Bruford rules!

[@BobSmith-o9p]

Steve Wilson

[@chrissilverhand1]

Do you mean Steven Wilson?

[@corky8280]

Steven Wilson has done some great stuff, as a solo artist (with exceptional supporting artists), and with Porcupine Tree, and Blackfield. But as an individual is he a bit of a Jack of all trades, master of none? I think he may be most talented as a producer/engineer.

[@3ggshe11s]

Good stuff. Off the top of my head, my list would look something like this, and will probably change tomorrow. Ian McDonald Rick Wakeman Geddy Lee John Wetton Neil Peart Keith Emerson Robert Fripp Bill Bruford Chris Squire David Gilmour

[@podecrer81]

Great list. Yours is better

[@RichardW001]

Ray Shulman of Gentle Giant.

[@chateaudesespoir1380]

100%

[@zbthunderwood]

My #1 prog bassist

[@RichardW001]

@@zbthunderwood and Trumpet, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Recorder and Vocals. The guy was a master.

[@coltonbeatty6117]

No

[@coltonbeatty6117]

​@@RichardW001 Pretty amateurish at all of those

[@SwenglishSteve650]

Steve Rothery, Alex Lifeson, Steve Wilson Piotr Kozieradzki

[@andybyron1]

I’m thinking of 5 artists that I think people have forgotten about. They are not in the progressive rock genre but have definitely thrown their hat in the ring and succeeded with classic tracks such as:- David Bowie - Station to Station/Blackstar Dire Straits - Telegraph Road Elton John - Funeral for a friend/Love lies bleeding Bruce Springsteen - Jungleland And lastly of course, Kraftwerk with Autobahn. These are 5 bands/solo artists that people tend to forget about. Brilliant music

[@vicariousjohnson9823]

Did you read the title of the video?

[@trevorpugh6475]

I’m with you on your inclusion of Hackett, Wakeman, Squire, Howe and Oldfield…I would also include Jon Anderson, Andy Latimer, Pete Bardens, Tony Banks and Mike Pinder in my own top 10. Long live prog! 👉😎

[@eunanmccreesh3474]

Thank you! Interesting review indeed. It's a difficult list to fulfil because there are quite a few departments to consider. When we deploy the word 'musician', we tend to become preoccupied with an instrument that is physically played, therefore we inadvertently omit the voice, which is, an instrument. Vocally, Jon Anderson and more recently, Damian Wilson could be included simply due to sheer vocal range. Geddy Lee too. Mind you, some singers are superb in the studio but don't stand up that well live. It also depends upon what time frame we are considering. In consideration of keyboards with regard to virtuosity and versatility, Keith Emerson well surpasses Rick Wakeman. More recently, Vivien Lalu and Tom Brislin should be lauded as great in the keyboard department. Andy Latimer, who you rightly mentioned is predominantly unsung in the guitar department and I'm surprised Steve Hackett didn't get mentioned. Any of these guitarists would exceed David Gilmour in the virtuoso field. Is it virtuosity that is the assessment here? Dominic Miller is a superb skilful guitarist. Bruford and Peart are probably the greatest drummers but Jelly Cardarelli should be mentioned. His stunning agile penchant for tricky syncopated rhythmic performance should be celebrated. Chris Squire and Tony Levin are superb but also coming into the frame is Mark King (maybe not considered prog), but his bass playing is well assured. Maybe Sting also?

[@carlnelson8819]

I agree with your list!

[@63mckenzie]

Music magazines' lists are always good for a laugh.

[@MrClassicmetal]

The funniest ones would be those from Rolling Stone magazine.

[@63mckenzie]

@@MrClassicmetal Everything Rolling Stone magazine does is hysterical.

[@miccarbo7911]

Ian Anderson! Eddie Jobson! Peter Hammill!

[@frankwestad3555]

Hammill!!

[@micknotfromleitrim]

Except in the context of time

[@greg-warsaw4708]

The original list (Prog's) ignored Jethro Tull and Genesis and Kansas members entirely, while including all Rush. I agree nobody should be eliminated from the list but omitting Tony Banks or Barrie Barlow or Kerry Livgren of Kansas is plainly unfair. Conclusion: 10 is simply too few to remain fair. And where is Jan Akkerman? Eddie Jobson?!!!!

[@BJM3497]

Ian Anderson -- as stated by a number of comments ought to have been on the list. Also, not having Roger Waters make the list is ridiculous considering he penned some of the most influential prog albums of all time including Dark Side and The Wall (most of it anyway). Finally, some homage to Steven Wilson......he's done more for this genre than anyone else over the past 20 years with his contributions to Porcupine Tree and his solo material. Plus his production skills --- which no one has, regardless of the list -- is unmatched. I agree with Peart being number one; the man was an institution all by himself.

[@MrClassicmetal]

I can agree with Peart's number 1 spots. Great, influential drummer. And his song lyrics are fantastic.

[@davidmorgan6896]

Waters was not a great bass player and is on record as resenting Gilmour's chops. Waters thought the music should transcend virtuosity, because he was no virtuoso. I doubt he'd get into any serious top twenty list of bass players.

[@BJM3497]

@@davidmorgan6896 waters was not included for his bass-playing virtuosity.

[@davidmorgan6896]

@@BJM3497 Then why complain about his lack of inclusion in a list of great musicians?

[@BJM3497]

@@davidmorgan6896 because he is a lyricist and a song writer and he’s penned some of the most iconic songs in the history of progressive rock music.

[@rushbravado1972]

Neil Peart, Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson (Rush) Phil Collins, Steve Hackett, Tony Banks (Genesis) Jon Anderson, Chris Squire (Yes) Ian Anderson, Martin Barre (Jethro Tull)

[@entil2001]

I agree with your list quite a bit more.

[@Mikino1976]

I like having Alex Lifeson on the list. The early Rush albums were riff-tastic!

[@paulnmaurice8852]

I fully agree with you. By the way, I bought Transantlantic (the absolute Universe), Jon Anderson (true), thanks for the recommadations !

[@timmaertens1583]

Ian Anderson? Absolutely!! Love the mention of Barrie Barlow, although Bruford is an excellent choice, as well.

[@KevinBaker-j3v]

Much prefer the Classic Album Review choice … one could argue different positions for each one, but overall a good selection. Just as an aside, the final list spells Keith as Kieth. Finally, thank you for your eloquent and very informative reviews and opinions.

[@maghurt]

Just picking 10 is mind boggling, I love so many prog musicians, :)

[@chizzulwinduh1941]

I think your list is excellent and I mostly whole heartedly agree, although I have no idea what "Greatest" really means, I will talk about preference. My preference on this particular list would see Christian Vandor, Richard Wright, Tony Banks and Ian Anderson on that list, in favour of some of the others. There are some that don't consider vocalists to be musicians, I dunno... if they were, I'd have to include Peter Gabriel, Fish (probably maybe not though), Jon Anderson and Kate Bush.

[@slowmarchingband1]

My 10 favourites.. Kerry Minnear Rick Wakeman Tony Levin Steve Hackett Dave Gregory Neil Peart Martin Barre Gary Green Mike Oldfield Steve Rothery

[@martyk656]

Kudos for Gary Green & Dave Gregory being on your list.

[@johnlacey155]

Very glad to hear the inclusion of Chris Squire. I was wondering if Trevor Rabin should have been included?

[@jameslindsay24601]

Steve Winwood (if Floyd is Prog so is Traffic-"Low Spark of High Heeled Boys", "Roll Right Stones", etc.,) unparalleled keyboards and stands with Clapton on electric and acoustic guitar. Also, many on this list, Steve Howe, Keith Emerson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman and Chris Squire. I would add Peter Gabriel, Carl Palmer, Greg Lake (ELP is fantastic!) and Geoff Downes.

[@passenger62]

Steve Winwood was in GO with Stomu Yamashta - proper prog!

[@tommyrawlings3046]

Floyd was more avant garde/ experimental to me!

[@shimwooley]

Ian Anderson, Steve Howe, Keith Emerson, Eddie Jobson to name 4.

[@justiceforall101]

I agree with your list.

[@gwdone]

Keys... I'm sort of wanting Jim Gilmore of Saga somewhere in there. You do such great work I'm very curious what you think of Saga? And would you consider reviewing their mountain of work someday? Thanks for your channel! Channels like yours keeps me away from Hollybore content.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

Steve Rothery for me, his guitar solo on Easter literally makes the hairs on my arm stand up it's so damn good

[@Oenloveslife]

It's okay for you to say "windscreen". It actually sounds very nice tripping off your tongue. I'm going to have to agree with another commenter that Ian Anderson has a level of uniqueness and influence which ought to have him on this list somewhere. Thank you for your brave re-imagining of that list!

[@0isez]

When I think of "best musicians" in prog, I think of the minds behind the compositions. For me, being able to play an arrangement from someone else's composition is great but even better is coming up with the composition itself. My top guys... Ian Anderson Kerry Livgren Alan Parsons Justin Hayward Arjen Anthony Lucassen Derek Shulman Kevin Moore Roger Waters David Gilmour Getty Lee

[@IRISHguitarist777]

Steve Rothery,a beautiful melodic guitarist and a really sound bloke.

[@pauldeegan6652]

'Sound' bloke - I see what you did there.

[@IRISHguitarist777]

Ah l meant that l met him! Five times so far,l always seek him out after gigs and before them,first time in 1985,good call tho!

[@IRISHguitarist777]

Ah ok! Cheers for that,guess Dublin and Liverpool share that expression :)

[@IRISHguitarist777]

Oh there are so many people of lrish descent in Uk and there was a lot of fighting in 1916,16 civilians were killed there in N.King st but the IRA certainly got Revenge on Mount street bridge when they took out nearly 200 British troops (Sherwood Forresters) in one day. The streets ran with blood. Yeah Easter is a Monster song,builds and builds,stunning solo,one of Rotherys best. I've seen Marillion 7 times now,waiting for the eight!

[@TimothyJBerry]

1. Ian Anderson 2. Chris Squire 3. Barrymore Barlow 4. Geddy Lee 5. Keith Emerson 6. Rick Wakeman 7. Steve Hackett 8.Mike Oldfield 9. Robert Fripp 10. Ray Shulman

[@Chip_57]

Have to agree with NP - awesome.

[@crisprtalk6963]

Neil Peart's legacy will only get larger and greater with time. Man was on another level.

[@davidjohn7510]

Absolutely! :-)

[@cozmicpfunk]

I appreciate both lists and would lean towards CAR Top 10 given the criteria is based on music in the 60's, 70's and 80's. I am pleased Neil is at the top of both (many Prog Purists might/would disagree but he still has to be on the list somewhere). Looking at a single member contribution and upgrade to an existing band, is there any comparison to the musicianship of Neil P. ? I can't think of any Prog band during that time that Evolved the way that Rush did and reinvented their music on almost every record. If we were considering later music would have to include Kevin Gilbert and Steve Wilson and again not just based on their musicianship but also songwriting skills. There is no way to make a only 10 list that everyone agrees with ;)

[@foreverpinkf.7603]

I agree more to your list.

[@Darrylizer1]

I would put Jon Anderson in place of Chris Squire, Tony Banks instead of Rick and Ian Anderson in place of Mike Oldfield. Other than that I like your list! Lists are always fun, I do like other opinions.

[@trevorsanders5303]

Robert Fripp should be at number 1.

[@papalaz4444244]

OK Robert, calm down...

[@tommyrawlings3046]

NO QUESTION ABOUT FRIPP!

[@papalaz4444244]

@@tommyrawlings3046 OK Toyah, calm down...

[@Herknungr]

He's a contender anyway.

[@paulbrookes413]

@@trevorsanders5303 He was going to be an accountant - It figures 😄

[@robm9999]

Rick Wright! Always tops in my list!

[@paulbrookes413]

@@robm9999 If pigs could fly

[@CaptainAfterland]

I don't disagree with either list or any of the suggestions given in the comments. It's largely subjective, after all. I'd be interested in a list of artists/bands who are keeping the spirit of Prog alive. If nothing else, it would generate a fresh set of "how did you not include "x"?" on the list. I would include people like Devin Townsend, Arjen Lucassen, Rich Henshall, possibly Tosin Abasi, Yoshiki of X-Japan. There are many to choose from.

[@garthmckeil9539]

I enjoyed your spin on the list... kinda lean towards your choices.

[@LightningZtrikez]

My top 10 prog rock, prog metal, prog whatever: Michael Romeo (my favourite of all time) John Petrucci Fredrick Thordendal Allan Holdsworth Ron Jarzombek Arjen Lucassen Richard Andersson (keyboardist) Stéphan Forté Muhammed Suiçmez David Gilmour (of the old schools guys) among others

[@bayingblade5532]

Without Barriemore Barlow, there would have been no Neil Peart.

[@steliosposeidon6871]

Tony Banks

[@nectarinedreams7208]

For his keyboard work alone he's in the top ten, but his songwriting and composing makes him an easy number one for me. If Genesis belonged to anyone, it was him. Waters number two. Conceptual, songwriting and lyrical genius.

[@matthewcoombs3282]

Definitely!!

[@frankwestad3555]

​@@nectarinedreams7208Banks, agree. And Waters' Amused to Death is the best concept album. And sadly, the lyrics are more relevant than ever

[@earlgrey691]

And Bo Hannson the keyboardist of the epic Lord of the Rings 70's stoner classic.Hendrix wanted to work with him allegedly.'House of Elrond' is a beautiful example from this album.

[@sargentoinkwinson4888]

@@earlgrey691 They jammed together, and Hendrix recorded Tax Free, a BH comp.

[@davidkent9574]

A glaring omission for me is Pete Jones (Tiger Moth Tales, Red Bazaar, Camel). He is an amazingly talented multi-instrumentalist, writer, vocalist and all-round good guy. Oh yes and blind since childhood.

[@gerryrafferty7500]

Great list , would have left Dave Gilmore and Robert Fripp higher but total kudos on Mike oldfield as a aging hippy you speaks Irish ommadawn a master piece

[@jamesw.5855]

I like your list way more than Progs list. But I`d substitute Phil Collins (Peter Gabriel era) for Peart.

[@jamesw.5855]

I also think Tony Levin needs to be on this list somewhere.

[@MikeBoni]

Prog was born with Robert Fripp’s thunderous riff in 21st Century Schizoid Man. He went on to shape and reshape Prog, again and again and again. He does things on the guitar no one else can approach. Listen to Fracture. He can play classical brilliantly, metal Prog, Gamelan, Frippertronics, ambient, soundscapes. His creativity, precision, and virtuosity is unparalleled. Not taking g anything away from so many other Prog guitar greats, but he is capable of playing everything they can play but the reverse isn’t true.

[@AG-6969]

Actually, when mid sixties to early 70's Prog artists are asked who influenced the Prog in them , they all point to The Beatles song, Tomorrow Never Knows. Fripp is a technician. Not an innovator.

[@MikeBoni]

@@AG-6969 “They” have no clue what prog rock is. And if you think Fripp is not an innovator, you’re plainly deaf.

[@davidmorgan6896]

​​@@AG-6969Fripp not an innovator? You see some stupid opinions on the internet, but this one is worthy of a prize.

[@tommyrawlings3046]

Fripp is the greatest musician/composer of his time, not just prog!!!

[@tommyrawlings3046]

Wetton was the greatest prog bass player!!

[@bobamaden]

I do think I prefer your list, and I say that as a Rush fan! Geddy Lee would still be in my top ten but you make great points. I especially think Steve Hackett is woefully underrated as a guitarist. I think you could argue that the "soulless" complaint about John Petrucci could also apply to Robert Fripp. But Fripp would still also be on my list.

[@YimmyyaRashoo]

Martin Barre & Alex Lifeson and jimi hendrix yes that one, Steve Howe, Bill Bruford, Steve Hackett , Tony Banks

[@alanFconrad]

props to the great ( and somewhat underrated) Steve Hackett

[@Earlofmar1]

I can't argue with your list, but it is always hard to single out people and say one is better than the other. I certainly agree that Steve Hackett has to be in there. Steve's contribution to Genesis elevated the band, but his large body of solo work features many great moments of prog. Yes, I wish you would speak more about Mike Oldfield, so I was glad you gave him his due by including him on the list.

[@coltonbeatty6117]

Steve Hackett's solo catalogue is largely a bunch of nothing

[@kevinogracia1615]

We're on the same page. Off the top my head... Jan Akkerman, Patrick Moraz, Steve Morse, Cobham, McLaughlin, Bruford... and ZAPPA. Peace on earth.

[@tomtrana3449]

I would also mention Hugh Banton , Robert Wyatt and Percy Jones (Brand X).

[@CultureFusionSite]

I think your rankings are pretty fair. I like Dream Theater but I wouldn't put any of those guys in the top 20 because there's far too many far more influential and interesting musicians in the genre from the earlier days. I would probably have put Fripp as number one, though that's my Crimson fanboyism kicking in.

[@CultureFusionSite]

I'd also agree that putting Frank Zappa in just a singular category of prog not only does a disservice but would have annoyed him. 😊

[@lanfear664]

The guys I really miss are Ian Anderson, Tony Banks and Zappa. Fripp at number one, followed by Banks.

[@LuisGarcia-ee2tr]

In no particular order: Steve Howe Ian Anderson Keith Emerson David Gilmour Alex Lifeson Neal Peart Peter Gabriel Chris Squire Steven Wilson Rick Wakeman

[@kirkwoerner1107]

Ian Mosely - Marillion Deosnt overplay, but is simultaneously in pocket, creative and has very memorable fills. Underrated.

[@paulmortimer4131]

My top ten greatest prog musicians are 10 Peter Gabriel 9 Robert fripp 8 Chris squire 7 Edgar froese td 6 Mike Oldfield 5 Rick Wakeman 4 David Gilmore 3 Keith Emerson 2 Tony bank’s 1 Neil peart legendary Enjoy your show mate