Progressive Rock

Progressive rock (sometimes shortened to prog rock or prog) is a subgenre of rock music which arose in the late 1960s, reached the peak of its popularity in the 1970s, and continues as a musical form to this day. Progressive rock artists reject the limitations of popular music and aspire to create music for serious listening, often aspiring to the sophistication of jazz and classical music, sometimes incorporating folk and world music influences in as well.

It is musical dynamics, as well as the virtuosity of the musicians, which most distinguishes progressive rock. As with its counterpart, progressive jazz, progressive rock is very much a musician's form of music, designed to be analyzed, studied and appreciated by knowledgeable listeners, as opposed to many other types of rock music that are better suited for dancing or background music. Although many progressive rock artists have enjoyed phenomenal success, progressive rock is by no means a casual form of music, and by nature appeals to a more specialized set of listeners than the broad target audiences of pop music.

The major acts that defined the genre in the 1970s are Jethro Tull, Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Rush, Gentle Giant and King Crimson.

Progressive rock is difficult to define conclusively and to everyone's satisfaction, as the above bands do not sound anything alike, nor did they necessarily appeal to the same music fans during their era of greatest popularity. Outspoken King Crimson leader Robert Fripp has voiced his disdain for the term. Indeed, in some cases the bands themselves or well-known critics would question whether one or another of the above bands fit the term “progressive rock” as it is now defined by the music industry, as well as many fans. There is also debate on whether the musical output of artists and bands as varied as The Moody Blues, Frank Zappa, Deep Purple, Phish, Tool and The Flaming Lips belongs to the genre.