The TEN albums that made PROG ROCK

[@sciwiz57]

Amazing -someone finally acknowledges the groundbreaking and innovative Moody Blues !!!!

[@mrmullah6781]

Yes finally an aknowledgment of this great but oh so underrated band.

[@nigelmarshall5891]

Yes, but listening to The Moody Blues in 2024 makes them sound very thin and dated.

[@eximusic]

It's been said for years ever since the prog label was invented.

[@robertl6591]

I think Yes and Genesis could both be considered the quintessential Prog bands. Close To The Edge and Supper's Ready are arguably the greatest Prog compositions.

[@paulbrookes413]

Days of Future Passed gave Classical music an enormous push in being a major influence on the genre !

[@zootallures6470]

Duch band Ekseption's First did the same.

[@thomassanchez-oo6sb]

Emerson Lake and Palmer?????

[@djmikio]

The Soft Machine, In the Court of the Crimson King, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Pink Floyd - The Piper at the Gates of Dawn, Moody Blues - Days of Future Passed, Frank Zappa - Freak Out!, The Nice - The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack, Gong - Magick Brother, Procol Harum, Caravan

[@Steffne2743]

"Piper" is not a prog rock album. It is a typical 60s psychedelic album.

[@djmikio]

I agree, but the list was albums that "made" prog rock and I'd argue that the whole Canterbury scene depended on this pschedelic influence. Soft Machine were Syd's solo backup band. @@Steffne2743

[@doscwolny2221]

Piper is a progressive album. The term prog was certainly applied to genesis,yes,KC etc later on. But that doesn't mean piper wasn't progressive.​@@Steffne2743

[@cahoots289]

Piper yes and also Stones Satanic Majesties or is that psychedelic?

[@bukharagunboat8466]

It's unfortunate that the Wilde Flowers didn't release an album; that would have avoided having three Canterbury bands on your list. I think we have to pick The Soft Machine as the prototypical Canterbury album; Gong and Caravan came along a little later.

[@Raelspark]

I would say the prog rock starts in 1967 with four important albums ----- Days of Future Passed; Piper at the Gates of Dawn; Sgt. Pepper; the first Doors album.

[@toddjohnson271]

100%......Abbey Road medley

[@murkredi]

AT last. Someone else who understands the importance of Zappa.

[@robertl6591]

I love a lot of Zappa's work but much of it is so avant-garde and experimental I just cannot enjoy it like the melodic symphonic prog of English bands like Genesis and Yes. Undoubtedly a musical genius but not easy to warm to.

[@murkredi]

@@robertl6591I'm the opposite - I can listen to Zappa for hours an end, the never-ending complexity keeping it fresh and new. One album in particular, Apostrophe, I must have played 1000 times since I bought it in 1974. But Yes and Genesis? Sheesh man, they sounded old fashioned and turgid to me, even when they were first released - the passage of time has not improved my appreciation. But music means different things to different people. It's a good job we're not all the same.

[@derfzus1040]

Who could imagine??:-) Spot on!!

[@bakeone4406]

The first Cream album came out in 66. Most prog heads (myself included) don't generally put Cream under a prog umbrella, but if you actually listen to what they're doing on that record, it's undeniably forging something new in a rock context, (and it still doesn't sound like a nearly 60 year old record). The next year (1967) quite a few albums by other artists helped break things open, but if chronology counts, Cream can't be overlooked.

[@BrennanYoung]

in many ways the albums which laid the groundwork of what became prog, but which aren't "really" prog (e.g. Cream, The Nice, The Pretty Things, or Procol Harum) are more genuinely progressive (in the sense of risk-taking and innovation) than many of the unambiguously "prog" genre albums released after 1973.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@BrennanYoung She Loves You by the Beatles was progressive but no one called it that. The term progressive was used to label certain kinds of modern jazz and was never used to describe rock until the seventies as far as I know.

[@jbafromny]

And if you throw in Disraeli Gears and the studio half if Wheels of Fire I think the case for calling Cream a proto-prog band is even stronger. I mean if it’s got cello, it’s gotta be prog, right?

[@snowfiresunwind]

@@BrennanYoung Good comment.

[@snowfiresunwind]

@@Hartlor_Tayley I would put the term Progressive being used for Pop/Rock bands at mid 1967. After The Beatles released Sgt Peppers almost all the popular bands of time were releasing LPs that began to be described as music that was 'Progressive'. I remember hearing that term being used a lot on BBCs Top Gear radio show (John Peel/Pete Drummond) - all of a sudden it was becoming the buzz word of the day.

[@1000buffalos]

Yes. That's a band worth a whole video.

[@darrellengelhardt9567]

I agree that Stand Up is an incredible album.

[@jeromedupont5218]

this is my fav tull album and as JT is definitely my cult band it tells alot

[@nyrocks5580]

One of the best albums ever, especially when you count bonus tracks. Incredible.

[@timbrown2971]

Yes basically took the beginnings of the genre and exploded it with The Yes Album, Fragile, and Close to the Edge. Just a phenomenal time in music.

[@RoyEberitzsch]

Yes is progressive rock period!!

[@gurgisjones1120]

Definitely had to make sure Days of Future Passed was included. Yep, check. Would probably put in early Genesis over "Stand Up", even though I love that album.

[@johnnyfrederick01]

As the #1 Zappa and the Mothers fan my heart sang when you picked Freak Out as your first choice. This album and their 2nd Absolutely Free are unparalleled in their musical innovation and genre-bending freakiness !! Thanks !

[@earlrishell536]

Finally someone added the Moody Blues to the list of the beginning of Prog. Made quite shortly after SGT Pepper. I feel Moodies were very important. I find your comments about Zappa extremely interesting, the rest of the albums all make sense.

[@godbluffvdgg]

The Moodies transcend prog...The beautiful melodies and profound lyrics and musicianship, give them a outside the box genre...Listened to Threshold of a Dream this morning...Their best album only slightly ahead of Days of Future Past. IMHO

[@deirdre108]

Yes, I liked the mention of the Moody Blues too. I was thinking more in terms of "In Search of the Lost Chord" which remains one of favorite albums, Prog, or No-Prog.

[@paulbrookes413]

Seventh Sojourn - Great album with a Great title !!

[@RockyDave]

My favourite album of all time: Seventh Sojourn, closely followed by Children's Children. Then the rest of the 'core seven' Moodies albums.

[@roncohp]

Pawn Hearts is a great choice! Man Erg is the cut in which a man plays 2 saxes at the same time! Talk about pushing the boundaries!

[@unstrung65]

To not put early Genesis on this list ( with Peter Gabriel ) , Nursery Crime . Foxtrot , and Selling England by the Pound -------- is pure sacrilege ! , I'm 76 and I lived through that ERA . Did you ?

[@Polyphemus47]

Yep. And they still lift me right off the planet.

[@uckbee]

Agreed. I think of Gabriel/Hackett era Genesis as the epitome of progressive rock, and the fact that you neglected to mention this phenomenally brilliant band begs for an explanation from you.

[@mirroryourmusic]

Yes, I was expecting him to include Trespass (1970). It certainly wasn't the best Genesis album, but it set the basic template for the progression from Nursery Cryme, Foxtrot, and Selling England to Lamb Lies Down. Also released a year before The Yes Album and Pawn Hearts. I would have included it instead of the Van der Graaf album. I would have also been tempted to include Tubular Bells or a Gentle Giant album.

[@Polyphemus47]

@@mirroryourmusic Gentle Giant! Yes!

[@EclecticInstinct]

Chill mate. I am 70 and I lived through this ERA but so what? Music analysis, critical thinking and proffering an informed opinion will always be valid regardless of any contemporary "advantage", real or imagined. There is no monopoly on opinion. I would concede that Foxtrot could be added to the list, for the lyrics, musical transitions, time signature changes and arrangement on Supper's Ready alone. Remember the list is on the creation of the genre and not the BEST or even favourite albums. Prog in the late 60s and 70s was a very broad church. I knew what I liked but didn't analyse beyond that. My journey started with Meddle, Argus, and In The Land Of Grey and Pink. I have seen Wishbone Ash, Caravan,Yes and Genesis live. I didn't know or care who influenced them at that time. I found this breakdown fascinating and apart from Soft Machine, have all the other LPs listed. Peace.

[@gwangi64]

Great to see The Nice getting mentioned, they were hugely imporant in the development of Prog Rock and inspired people like Yes and Genesis.

[@marguskiis7711]

The Nice invented the prog rock. Simple.

[@BrennanYoung]

ironically, The Nice (highly successful in their day) routinely get overlooked because ELP were simply *that much more* successful. IMO if ELP had been less of a hit, The Nice would enjoy far more respect. Or as Alan Partridge might say "Wings! Wings are the band The Beatles could have been"

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@BrennanYoung Andy Partridge. Wishing Andy would interview Andy. They have very compatible personalities and senses of humor.

[@thatwilldonicely1314]

They must have been listening to 'Ars longa via brevis' and thought '' BLIMEY'' that's it guys'

[@gwangi64]

@@thatwilldonicely1314 If there's one album that desperately needs remastering it's Ars Longa Vita Brevis. There's some great music on it but it sounds like the band are playing in a room down the corridor from the recording studio.

[@EchoesDaBear]

Great list Andy!! I'm in general agreement with all your picks! Love the mention of Days Of Future Passed - still one of my most often, make me feel good no matter what, listens (including having Nights as my wedding song!) I love how the orchestra was integrated (regardless of whether they played together or not). It paved the way for future 'symphonic' rock that I now greatly enjoy, being a big fan of classical! Crimson, Floyd, Beatles, Yes are all constants in my collection. Interesting take on Hendrix - his sonic experimentation certainly does fit the vibe of progressive! As a Canadian and HUGE Rush fan, I completely understood and appreciated all their influences! Cheers.

[@davidwylde8426]

Arguably, ( with regard the pastoral , English Aesthetic), ‘Trespass’ should have been in,I think. But at 71, I think ‘Nursery Cryme’, definitely deserves its place. They may have been the new kids relative to K.C, ELP, Tull and Yes, but I think their refinement of all the individual elements of what make progressive rock what it came to be seen as, is at its most evident on that album.

[@paulbrookes413]

Hogweed has it all !! - Definitely the Pinnacle of Prog !! 😁

[@ImprobableTodd]

And Genesis took that “English aesthetic” to the max with songs like Harold the Barrel and Fountain of Samalsis. Add on Musical Box and the way it was performed live, it was a quantum leap for prog.

[@maartenvaneerten4388]

Thank you Andy for your list - a true nostalgia trip for me. These were the albums we listened to as they came out, each one of them opening new doors of creativity as they pushed the frontiers of music further into the unknown. It was such an exciting time to hear musical styles that had never been heard before!

[@zelly8163]

"The Least we can do is wave to each Other" by Van Der Graaf Generator is the true birth of the Apocalyptic vision of prog. "The Least we can do is wave to each Other" was released in February 1970 a year and a half before "Pawn Hearts" - six months before "Trespass" by Genesis - and only three months after "Court of the "Crimson King."

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

That album is also right up there with pawn hearts

[@neilparnell5712]

VdGG were true ''Pioneers''

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@neilparnell5712 very influential especially in Italy. Or so I’ve read

[@neilparnell5712]

You read well sir.@@Hartlor_Tayley

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@neilparnell5712 thanks

[@Tusitala1967]

It's very relaxing to listen to someone else rave about these records for a change. 🙂

[@sdb6757]

King Crimson would not have gained notoriety without the amazing voice of Greg Lake.

[@haga2519]

Indeed. They were also very much inspired by The Moody Blues. So much so that they enrolled their producer Tony Clarke to help out with In the court. It didn't work out though so Lake took over production duties. Crimso also bought the Moodies mellotron.

[@prestonbacchus4204]

Yes indeed, Loved Greg's voice.^

[@n.g.a.e.g.4534]

Bit of a hazard statement, definetly Greg Lake has a little weight in K Krimson all around history. Great vocalist, didnt write much, didnt invent any sound he joined an alredy formed project left and replaced by great singers. He left an imprinting for sure

[@janschep4738]

Thanks for this very interesting video and especially for putting Zappa, Moody Blues and King Crimson on the prog spot.

[@garyh.238]

Well explained list. I now have a far better grasp of the many, varied cultural and musical elements which contributed to the formation of the prog genre.

[@AntarblueGarneau]

For those of us musicians on the SF peninsula "ELECTRIC LADYLAND" when it came out was also happily reactionary. The Hammond B3 organ, Jimi's guitar being played clean like BuddY Guy. No more psychedelic, It brought elements of blues and jazz...black music. We applauded it because we had begun to play these musics ourselves. We thought Jimi was gonna lead the way toward a cosmic chitlin circuit.

[@clsclearlightsound5594]

One band that was always breaking boundaries was The Yardbirds. Heart Full of Soul, I'm a Man, Shapes of Things, Happenings Ten Years Time Ago. Even Hendrix borrowed from The Yardbirds. And afterwards the first Renaissance album, with Relf and McCarty. I feel they needed to be mentioned.

[@johnnyxmusic]

Yesterday that I thought about this the other day, when another channel someone was saying how the Beatles didn’t care for Led Zeppelin, and the stones in careful Led Zeppelin when I came out… Just like they couldn’t understand the sonic onslaught that they represented. But then I thought you know, there was a lot of crazy and hard and interesting stuff with the Yardbirds and Led Zeppelin can be seen as an extension of that and I’m not gonna mention the fact that Pete Townshend doesn’t like Led Zeppelin.

[@marguskiis7711]

Jeff Beck was a genius there

[@1000_Jeezai]

Little Games

[@stevecowder4774]

Imo, “ Days “ from the Moodys is the closest to being a complete progressive album, among all of the early influence albums. Those timely and well executed inserts from the London Symphony Orchestra were such a bold, brilliant and original approach. Only during the amazing year of 1967 could such an album be released.

[@sidoughty428]

Excellent list, great to hear the wonderful and influential Moody Blues and the Nice included, a fair spread 💙!

[@robertgough5804]

Time and a Word is amazeballs esp astral traveller

[@n.g.a.e.g.4534]

I agree

[@deirdre108]

As a longtime Prog fan and an American I'd never considered that my country had anything but the most minimal contributions to the genre. It seemed to me that what Prog artists were doing was stripping Rock of its origins in the Blues and creating a genre based more on European art (classical) music forms and particularly 20th century art music. Thus the advent of so many classically trained Prog musicians, especially keyboardists. Of course no genre of music remains "pure" (or probably even begins pure) and Prog did derive elements from various other types of music but I think the separation from the Blues was a critical component. Thank you for your analysis! This is the first, and only of your videos I have seen and I've enjoyed it greatly. The algorithm found me! I may give Freak Out a new listen. And please let me know where I might be wrong in my comment.

[@philbarker8219]

I reckon it probably started in the US with the Electric Prunes. Zappa needs to be in there, but I reckon Hot Rats is the step change. Buffalo Springfield were definitely in there too.

[@Polyphemus47]

Good calls!@@philbarker8219

[@Throgmoyd]

I absolutely bloody loved this 'video'. Thank you!

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@adamhimelfarb7149]

that was highly enjoyable, whether i could quibble with a few choices or not. your explanations for each selection are well thought out and support the choices. keep up the good (prog) work!

[@Bobbagee]

Great list. I bit surprized there was no mention of the influence of The Left Banke for Walk Away Renee and Pretty Ballerina. Also, prog rock might not have been possible or at lease nearly as prolific without the invention of the Chamberlin/Melotron and portable synthesizers, particularly the Mini Moog.

[@Polyphemus47]

"I Haven't Got the Nerve" made a fanatic of me.

[@jennd8935]

I was very happy to see the Moody Blues included in the list, but a bit disappointed that Renaissance not mentioned

[@klik64]

Never thought of myself as a Prog fan because I didn't get on with ELP, Genesis and Yes when I was a teen, but I loved early Jethro Tull, Hendrix, King Crimson, Moody Blues as well as Can so maybe I do have a foot in the Prog camp after all. I wondered if Love Forever Changes would be on the list but maybe it's Psychedelia not Prog... not sure.. it blew my mind anyway, love it.

[@1000_Jeezai]

There's plenty of prog origins in the 50s & early 60s too. The esoteric exotica stuff like Ferrante & Teicher, Les Baxter & Dick Hyman. The early electronic music/music concrete. Some of it sounds like industrial space rock & is worth mentioning. 40s & 50s soundtracks and musicals were also ingrained in 60s rock musicians brains contributing to the quirkiness of prog. Bali Hai from south pacific is the same melody as the immigrant song shriek. Classical brought the pomp & jazz brought the expansion

[@matto9734]

Just stumbled across your channel and man is it packed with truth and knowledge! I´m 64 and I got "schooled" by classic music (mom), Beatles (father) and Jazz (stepfather) whilst not even have reached the age of 10. So I got the best fundament to explore the likes of those you have mentioned later on. Great times and there are really good things happening now in the field today too like Snarky puppy, Dirty Loops, Matto Mancuso and so on. Good to know that inspiration, open minds and deep knowledge of the crafts still exist ;-) Subed

[@ziggy107]

still think that In The Court of the Crimson King, the song, was the pinacle of rock and roll (if that is really what it could be referred to as). with lots of epic competition for that title, of course

[@mintzmia]

I’m among those who like progressive rock and have only scratched the surface. I have to say, Andy, after watching many of your videos you shine discussing this topic. Your expertise is evident. What blows me away, as someone born in 1985, is how rapidly this blossoming of music happened from around the mid-60s to the early 70s, which you cover here so succinctly (not your usual style, and I am pro-waffling). The radical expansion of consciousness during that time period for much of the general public and reflected in the music was tectonic. And I think that’s why generations that have come since have kept going back to it (pockets of them, at least).

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

1965 to 1975. Definitely the sweet spot for almost everything.

[@SB-kr1dw]

Congrats on 20k subscribers, Andy! Quite an accomplishment!

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Need to guess first -Freakout. Days of Future Past. n.Sgt. Peppers, Disreali Gears. Electric Ladyland. , Bitches Brew. Inner Mounting Flame, Court of the Crimson King, Yes, Nursery Crime, Emerson Lake & Palmer. POST VIEWING EDIT: Matched 6 out of 10. Given I'm a Yank; Nice, Early Tull, Early Floyd and Vandergraf. went mostly unnoticed stateside.

[@robertspindler5652]

An album that was massive and clearly influenced many in the prog scene, especially drummers, yet never gets any accolades is the self titled album by Blood, Sweat ,and Tears from 1968.

[@arnaudb.7669]

I will add Magma "Kobaia" (70) The album that create his own subgenre of prog (zeuhl)

[@jeffmumford1982]

I have to add a couple more important albums which always seem to be overlooked in the prog genre: Atomic Rooster Death Walks Behind You and Nektar A Tab In The Ocean. If you don't know them, give them a go!

[@paulkazakoff9231]

Death walks is an absolute classic ! Blew me away the first time I heard it.If you haven't heard it definitely give it a listen !

[@maddog8621]

AR were superb

[@billyhodges7194]

All your videos are informative, funny , intelligent and with such love of the subject that i cannot be anything but impressed.... And its good to hear a west midlands accent espousing mind nuggets 👍

[@SteelyDug1]

IMHO you missed a biggie that was released in 1970. Emerson, Lake & Palmer's debut album. Keith Emerson met Charles Moog and the rest is history!

[@billyhodges7194]

My entry into prog as a 7 yo child through older siblings was pictures at an exhibition and I still love it as a 50 + guy

[@MrCherryJuice]

I contend that Vanilla Fudge's self-title debut album of 1967 provided the template for what became the prog rock aesthetic (great drummer, killer bassist, predominent keyboards, soaring vocals, jazz-y and classical-ly leanings...). Though never big in the UK, the band's London gigs apparently had a profound effect not only on the approach to music, but also the volume (they were using Crown power amps). Deep Purple's frequently stated ambition was to be the 'European Vanilla Fudge', though they were short on proficiency at the time and soon discovered rock was a better meal ticket (something the Fudge realised too late in their career). And though they never made it out of the clubs, the band 1-2-3 (later renamed Clouds), a trio - keys, bass, drums - from Edinburgh with a residency at the Marquee, were also apparently a favourite with Ian Anderson (a fellow Scot), Jon Anderson (who worked at the Marquee), Keith Emerson and others. Even Robert Fripp apparently checked them out. It may be coincidence, but after forming Yes, Anderson had that band cover Simon & Garfunkel's 'America', a tune 1-2-3 were playing at the Marquee. The Beatles 'Revolver' and the 'Penny Lane'/'Strawberry Fields' single were real surprise twists. As was the Beach Boys 'Good Vibrations', a record that took on cinematic proportions. One could argue they were the first (popular) progressive records (Zappa's 'Freak Out' was extremely obscure by comparison). Though I believe Vanilla Fudge played a key role in defining the prog genre, they were best known for a great heavy-handed version of the Supremes 'You Keep Me Hanging On'), so they were oft seen within that context. It really wasn't until King Crimson that the public caught on to the prog concept...which wasn't even defined at the time. Early Yes were essentially a pop band with ambitious musical leanings. The Nice were a jazzy-classical fusion quartet (and then trio) that lacked a sufficiently focused concept and thus were meandering into oblivion (ditto Yes pre-Steve Howe). Numerous other arty bands were art for art's sake and much too arty for their own good. It is worth noting that the late Peter Banks was guitarist in both the Nice and Yes in their early stages. One can only wonder how much of a role he played in pushing both bands beyond their comfort zones.

[@kenlyon8285]

Andy's "English aesthetic" derives from British traditional & folk. In N. America the influences were American folk/country traditions & beat sensibilities which, with the injection of CIA sponsored experiments & Ken Kesey, begat psychedelic/acid rock. Prog rock co-opted & merged psychedelia with the addition of classical & world elements

[@marguskiis7711]

The Nice invented the prog.

[@craigburner1296]

Great analysis. This is the first time I've seen you. I subscribed due to your great work.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Welcome aboard!

[@arijokimaki4315]

I wonder if The Yardbirds' Roger the Engineer (1966) had any influence to the creation of the prog rock genre.

[@arijokimaki4315]

Also, even earlier, Graham Bond Organization might have been very important for this subject.

[@williamblake]

Also Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring and Holst’s The Planets. Great albums :0)

[@Bubba-zu6yr]

I blame it on the Firebird.😅✌️

[@geoffccrow2333]

Ravel bolero

[@Polyphemus47]

In the heat of my Genesis and Yes fanaticism, I listened to "The Rite of Spring" at LEAST once a day, for well over a year. It's my absolute favorite piece of music, and seeing Joffrey Ballet perform it live was a transcendent experience for me. Stravinsky changed EVERYthing.

[@Polyphemus47]

PS - LOVE The Planets, and gotta mention Ravel's "Daphnis et Chloe".

[@johnnyxmusic]

I was just wondering about this today. I was watching a video about ELO… I thought you know there was a certain point where one of the forks of rock went in the direction of super production… Of course, you could say that started with Phil Spector… In his wall of sound… And then, of course we got pet sounds… And Sergeant peppers… And those were going in that direction of psychedelia, expanding it, not so much through alternate scales and modes, but rather through greatly enhanced production values. So I called it Pop-gressive. So this is my comment before watching the video and I’m really looking forward to it because I’d like to know where Prog rock came from and I’m certain that the origins are much deeper and more obscure than I know

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Prog is really an English art form, you Brit’s have every reason to be proud of it and own it. Sure some American influences but really there was nothing like that it over here in the States. When I first heard “Roundabout” on the radio, I thought it must be the Jefferson Airplane. We had acid rock galore and all kinds of fusions but nothing like Prog. Great list. Thanks

[@experience5988]

Funny they were "very English" but still sold tons of records in the USA.

[@Bitterblogger]

Like the Beatles? 😄

[@Bitterblogger]

Like the Beatles? 😄

[@Bitterblogger]

Like the Beatles? 😄

[@Bitterblogger]

Like the Beatles? 😄

[@manitheman0806]

what about the first 2 Renaissance albums

[@kd2mill]

Man, don't ever apologize for "taking too long". Just keep the vids coming.

[@jbafromny]

Though I’m sure they’d recoil at the association, I think the Who belong on the list. The Who Sell Out checks an awful lot of prog Boxes, and it’s from 67.

[@1000_Jeezai]

Rael

[@okimtulal9235]

Gentle Giant's debut album, as well as everything they recorded until 1975. I think that in Great Britain and after King Crimson, they were the most peculiar, pluralistic and multi-complex band. What Gentle Giant produces is so radical and innovative that it is difficult for anyone to stand next to them. Secondarily on the other side of the Atlantic, the extraterrestrial Captain Beefheart with Safe as Milk, Strictly Personal, as well as the landmark Trout Mask Replica. Albums that promptly broke every code and stereotype.

[@dusanpogacar1399]

What do you say about Erik Burdon New animals Wind of change? And Velvet underground first album? Their satanic magic requests of Stones? All in 1967. But my friend all your top 10 are amazing albums.

[@AlmostEthical]

Looking back, your list makes sense to me. Soft Machine were perhaps the start of the Canterbury scene, which I think of as a mix of fusion, prog, folk and psychedelic rock, dripping with the English aesthetic.

[@jattotling3475]

Thanks Andy, really very good!

[@loud7070]

Thank you Andy. I truly appreciate your effort and so enjoyed this podcast.

[@brianparsa7794]

Interesting that you give a nod to Jethro Tull for introducing some of the pastoral sounds to prog; can it be argued that Fairport Convention might've influenced Ian Anderson and the lads to include that music . . . and that, since Fairport were hugely influenced by Bob Dylan as well, maybe Bob Dylan belongs on this list? (stunned gasp from the crowd . . .)

[@wm.scottpappert9869]

choice list Andy. Might have found a place for Genesis though ... Trespass ('70), Foxtrot ('72) or Nursery Cryme ('71). Although influential, is Days of Future Passed too ethereal to be considered prog in this group ? Floyd of course has it's mass ethereal moments post Barrett but sticks with the themes of prog. But agree that '71-'72 may be late to the game to be considered influential in shaping prog

[@greatsilentwatcher]

Having grown up through all that, I enjoyed the insight in your commentary. Thanks.

[@AndyEdwardsDrummer]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidwylde8426]

Brilliant video, and virtually nothing to argue with,( apart from the tiny bits I have in the comments, which in themselves are arguably subsumable within subjective differences).

[@oolongoolong789]

A pretty solid list, Andy. Though I would have included The Velvet Underground & Nico (recorded in 1966) which has a level of angular artistry and dark themes that would influence prog, punk and post-punk bands. The first LP by Colosseum, Those Who Are About to Die Salute You (recorded 1968) also has the eclectic influences that we associate with prog rock and some very fine musicianship. Curved Air's debut Air Conditioning (recorded 1970) is worth a mention. And one my favourites of this era is the weird and wonderful Alchemy (released 1969) by Third Ear Band.

[@johnminassian4887]

Very nice summary Andy. I experienced all of this music in real time, except I was stateside. I have all those albums and they are in semi-regular rotation. We must have similar taste in music as Tull's Benefit is my fave by them too. I clearly remember being in Kresge's Five and Dime in the sixties and holding the Freak Out album and wondering, "what is this?" Trouble Comin' Every Day is still a favorite track. More please.

[@clouddog2393]

Soft Machine's first and second albums and the Nice's debut album "The thoughts of EmerList DaveJack" . Van der Graaf Generators debut was ahead of it's time too .

[@ryanbaptiste249]

I nearly fell off me chair when you mentioned VdGG's Pawn Hearts! 😱 …Definitely my type of darkness.

[@ImprobableTodd]

Pawn Hearts started a new limb on the prog tree, pushing through with sharp-edged bombast, vocals and lyrics lush with the power of acid unchained. Ending Plague with a Robert Fripp solo also put another flavor of pure angst into our ears.

[@NelsonMontana1234]

Yes, people overlook how Pepper set the stage for the whole prog movement and how Stand Up was such an innovative record. I'd leave off a couple you mentioned and add the first Zeppelin, first Gentle Giant and first ELP , which were all around the same time.

[@daledavidson8242]

You can nearly equate the eruption of formal prog with the Mellotron.

[@hjs9td]

You must include Pink Floyd's Saucer Full of Secrets (1968) as a symphonic composition if you name The Yes Album as an example.

[@alanFconrad]

great commentary....Thanks

[@reinhardtherbert5129]

Great choice man! I saw an Interview with Robert fripp who was very proud that jimmy Hendrix who was in the audience of a King crimson Concert was fully blown away by their music and told his girlfriend in amazement:"this is the best Band in the World!" - PS: I LOVE THE MAHAVISHNU TOO!

[@BrennanYoung]

Just wait. AI technology will soon give us a speculative "Hendrix, Emerson, Lake and Palmer " album.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

@@BrennanYoung be still my heart.

[@peterhendriks4736]

Great analyses, spot on.

[@SCUIRPB]

Glad you put The Piper at the Gates of Dawn on the list :-) I only discovered it in the seventies when I was a teenager but I immediately recognized it to be far beyond anything I'd heard before (or even after :-D ). Despite my very humble set of records I remember some of the entries in the list but not all. Thanks for this reminder about progressive rock music. And greetings from the other side of Europe. In the 60's, 70's and 80's we were stuck behind that curtain and soaking up everything of pop/rock/jazz etc. music that came from the West somehow.

[@jornspirit]

Andy, you are bold, competent and funny... I understand where you come from with your choices, and I pull my hat in respect for how much stuff you have listened to... certainly more than me, and I've listened to a bl**dy lot! The whole concept of electing the 10 most important albums/bands/songs/breakfast cereals etc in itself is so hilariously impossible, that you get probably quartered and be-headed many times in the comments, but that's what gets the pinball rollin', and kicks off some well-spent nights of nitty-gritty arguing about the hen-and-the-egg business... and when the dust has settled, we all go back to realize, that all we needed... is love 💖😎

[@northcarolinavinylpicker]

Great job with first 10 prog albums. I did one similar. Some of your 10 were my 10. Take care cheers

[@MikeMihlo-lv9iy]

Nice to see Days Of Future Past , it doesn't make to many lists. The Moodies are a great Prog band.

[@martinspencer1618]

They're neither great nor prog: using a Melllotron isn't enough. I regard them as damp rock.

[@Justin_Kipper]

@@martinspencer1618 They used a Mellotron _and_ a flute. As did King Crimson!

[@martinspencer1618]

But KC didn't need 2 different people to play Mellotron and flute. And they had a guitarist, drummer and singer/vocalist in a different league to the bland saddoes in The Moody Blues. (Is Graeme Edge the least talented drummer ever to feature in a band claimed to be Prog? He makes Nick Mason look like a percussion genius)@@Justin_Kipper

[@donneumann6546]

Man! Who pissed in your corn flakes. People can have different opinions can't they?​@martinspencer1618

[@paulbrookes413]

​@@martinspencer1618I regard you as a fool 😂

[@Williamottelucas]

I used to own almost all of those 10 albums (bought t 50c $1 $2 for the most part - scratched, naturally) and it's great to hear from you how they all connect (and why I loved them).

[@boriskruger4842]

I'm into Pink Floyd for decades. I KNOW for fact that FREAK OUT influenced Pink Floyd. The Album was a fave of Syd Barrett. Frank Zappa and Roger Waters were friends.

[@davefink2326]

You can see Frank jam with the Floyd at some Europe concert (in 1970, I think).

[@boriskruger4842]

@@davefink2326 I forgot to mention the Amougies (Belgium)- Festival, wich was organized by Frank, he was the organizer, not a performer on that Festival. Roger Waters convinced him to jam with the Floyd on Interstellar Overdrive. This is the Performance you're talking about; Amougies, Belgium, October 25th, 1969. Zappa wanted to Release the recording, but Roger Waters didn't want it to be released. Interstellar Overdrive was almost released as a part of Ummagumma (different Performance w/o Frank Zappa).

[@BrennanYoung]

@@boriskruger4842 to be fair, it's far from the best rendition of Interstellar Overdrive. Rog seems to be enjoying himself, but the others (including Frank) seem a little dissociated.

[@henryurbach7973]

Pink Floyd is not exactly a prog rock band, except maybe for Wish You Were Here. Until then they were more psychedelic jam band.

[@1099Kramo]

“Shine On Brightly”- Procol Harum

[@drytool]

I saw Yes live with a full orchestra on their Magnification tour.

[@jimschroeder1176]

Me too.

[@jimsalman7257]

I will have to disagree with you about Hendrix not being a great singer. I think he absolutely was a great singer, with a beautiful R&B inflected voice. I know Hendrix was somewhat insecure about his singing ability, and he sure doesn’t sound “trained”, but some of his studio recordings, especially the ballads, are amazing vocal performances.

[@davidwylde8426]

I would imagine Andy was alluding to the fact that the legendary component of Hendrix and his talent could not be levelled at the notion that he was a technically brilliant vocalist with virtuoso technique, and more that he was a virtuoso ‘artist’ in that his output was artistically brilliant in all it’s many aspects.

[@edwardyazinski3858]

Quite agree, esp say Watchtower and Little Wing, but VC Slight Return too which he does endow with a certain amount of fury via not just the guitar but with his vocals too

[@jimmycampbell78]

Hendrix was a good singer. But he was a great guitarist and an innovative musician.

[@DPhasely]

I enjoyed Hendrix' voice, and he could carry a tune. Of course, his voice was not at the level of, say Tom Jones, but Hendrix really sounded great on the song Electric Ladyland. The vocals on that song sounded like something from The Tempations, or one of those other black vocal groups.

[@jimmycampbell78]

Certainly in the studio Hendrix' vocals are excellent. Live, he has some very patchy vocal performances but he's playing guitar at the same time (and was often under the influence of various substances). I do recall what another youtuber, Wings of Pegasus, said about singing and playing guitar at the same time, it is always "double the difficulty". However, certainly in the studio and even live, Hendrix could pull off good vocal performance.

[@robertglisson6319]

Kudos to you for prominently mentioning The Nice. Most people begin progressive rock with King Crimson. I would have included Tarkus, however, simply for the title track which preceded the other major epics of prog rock. But overall, a fine synopsis!

[@МаксРогозин-е1ю]

Lizard and Atom heart mother .

[@rgreed20081]

A brief history of Progressive Rock. The Beach Boys and a few other Rock Bands have lain the recipe by blending the flour, sugar, eggs and other parts of the recipe together. The Beatles decided to bake the cake and forgot about it. The Moody Blues had eaten the cake. They like the cake and freely share the recipe with others.

[@flyingjeffsutherland3744]

Loved it!

[@stabbrzmcgee825]

Andy (andy andy for a Zappa reference) I've seen several of your videos now, and while I do not always buy in to your views, they always get me thinking, and that is a good thing. Two side comments: 1) The Yes Album is a work of art, and 2) Benefit is my favorite Tull album by far. I do love Stand Up (still remember my first time opening the album and getting the pop-up of the band, so long ago-album art was integral to the album idea much as you have mentioned elsewhere). Keep doing the good work, it is appreciated.

[@jdd3786]

Cool video and great analysis of music in general. I'd like to add to the list the albums: Comus- First Utterance Wishbone Ash- Argus Deep Purple- Self titled

[@МаксРогозин-е1ю]

Yes, April... Many folks tends to forget first lineup. I'm glad you remember Comus. A cult little known band but what a debut they made. Argus great album.

[@geoffccrow2333]

SGT PEPPERS LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND.. WE HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED THE SHOOOOOOW:))

[@RodWilliams-m7r]

Count me in for "Stand Up"

[@nyrocks5580]

One of the best albums ever, especially when you count bonus tracks. Incredible.

[@bh-zj4yt]

Had to laugh. I too bought the best of Jethro Tull, I had heard most of those songs. Then went to a used record/head shop in Chula Vista CA and bought Benefit and was blown away. Went back two weeks later and got Stand Up (with the pop up inner sleeve) And to this day Stand Up is my favorite Great Job

[@nyrocks5580]

That was pretty much my Tullology, too.

[@theechoinggreen6175]

Nice varied list, especially good to see Hendrix get his due for the influence he had on progressive music. But Genesis surely must be here too.

[@nodiggity9472]

I'm new here, and despite you being an almost insufferable prog goblin, I love your takes, even on bands I've never heard of. Your understated appreciation for Zappa is commendable, and you're the only person I've seen (other than myself) who sees the melodic similarities between Zappa and Cardiacs. Oh, City or Villa?

[@craigward2710]

I'd like to offer The Incredible String Band's The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter: The complex ever-developing structures of Kooeeoaddi There and A Very Cellular Song were massively out there. Also, among the British bands that bands like Yes and Crim were looking to there's Family and Blossom Toes. Let us also not forget Jefferson Airplane.

[@RayThackeray]

Prog rock reached its apogee with the release of Foxtrot by Genesis in September 1972, I believe this single album embodies perfection in the genre.

[@davidwylde8426]

As a Genesis fanatic of certain aspects, I’d like to agree with you, but I can’t. Good comment though.

[@martinspencer1618]

Terrible production and no synths.

[@stevescott200]

oh! yes

[@МаксРогозин-е1ю]

A monumental album and a mandatory listening. But also Nursery Cryme, Selling England by the Pound, A Trick of the Tail etc. Other bands. An ocean of Music.

[@RayThackeray]

@@МаксРогозин-е1ю Agreed they are all amongst the greatest Progressive Rock albums, but I find that Supper's Ready is the true breakthrough prog anthem, though probably not for the masses.

[@MrPonkine]

Procol Harum 'Shine on Brightly' (1968). It includes 'In Held 'Twas In I'. First ever prog sidelong suite. It definitely paved the way for Pink Floyd 'Echoes', Yes 'Close To The Edge', Genesis 'Supper's Ready', ELP 'Tarkus', Jethro Tull 'Thick as a Brick', Caravan 'Nine Feet Underground', etc.

[@sixertogo]

This is my first experience with your channel and your thoughts and ideas are well thought out and enjoyable.

[@ronaldchives2486]

I think the beginning of Prog is A Whiter Shade Of Pale. It is just a perfect record, the ambiguous lyrics, the Bach references in the music, the vocal, the 6 weeks at number 1 in summer 67, it all fans out from there for me, 🙂

[@limomangeno]

I remember seeing Yes,King Crimson and Procol harum in 1971,that was a Great Show.

[@rsplines12]

I love how you refer to non-prog fans as "normal people." LOL

[@Oenloveslife]

"Conceptual Continuity": words you used to describe Freak Out by Zappa, and ALSO words Zappa himself used on "Stinkfoot!": "Once upon a time, somebody say to me, 'What is your, conceptual continuity?'"

[@timscarrow9151]

The Crux of the biscuit.

[@Oenloveslife]

Is the Apostrophe.