What made the 70's prog so unique?

I was thinking about how 70's prog was so unique and great, and even though nowdays there are many great bands doing great albums, they often sound like they are trying to do prog just for the sake of doing prog, just as it has been mentioned around here before. And I believe that's just what makes the 70's stuff pass the test of time. Back then, the now called prog bands, as far as I understand, weren't trying to do prog, nor stick to any set of rules of the genre, they were just trying to do what they wanted, try to break the mold of pop music, though they might actually have been copying some of what the other prog bands were doing, but in the end they weren't really trying to do prog as such. Now, many bands seem to need to stick to the set rules of prog that we know, like long songs, instrumental passages, odd and changing time signatures, etc., and so often those bands sound forced. I guess that's what Wilson meant when he said bands like Flower Kings were the Death of Prog, though he himself seems to have indulged in the same kind of doing prog with The Raven at least (which, anyway, I must admit I really loved). So, what do you think about this?

Horizons wrote: I think the negative connotation with the statement of "doing prog for sake of being prog" is utterly ridiculous.  ... I don't understand what is wrong with intentionally trying to be different.

Anybody correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the OP is referring to doing the genre prog for the sake of doing the genre of prog. As in, playing in the style of Yes for the sake of playing in the style. Creating in the mold that Yes created in breaking the molds of their time, rather than trying to break the molds of today's music.

Edited by Polymorphia - May 13 2015 at 23:52

70s Prog could not be "unigue" per se as a whole amount of released prog albums in that decade; it's actually nothing more "unique" than 60s Prog or Prog from current decade.

Edited by Svetonio - May 14 2015 at 00:15

justin4950834-2 wrote: Totally agree with Wilson saying The Flower Kings will be the death of Prog, (...)

I strongly disagree with Mr Wilson's statement which was very stupid. It's for sure one of the most stupid statement by prog musicans ever published

I agree Michael, but then again it's been years (10?) since he talked like that. Steven has mellowed out over the years and has additionally come to embrace the prog sticker associated with him.

In regards to the OP: it's been a good 45+ years since this offshoot of rock started out. There were more fences to break down. Experimenting with the rock template was something new. It really isn't anymore. That doesn't mean that we don't get our fair share of new exciting rocks bands, but more that the ones today who are breaking new ground often do that by mixing modern styles like trip hop, dance, electronic and indie elements into the music. Sure not everyone who does this can be considered progressive in the same way that Close to the Edge was when it first hit the street, but a band like Chrome Hoof fx is definitely doing something out of the norm and new...and they do it very naturally I find, even if the music at times feels "jumpy" (so does Yes;).

I don't think the real issue is lack of quality music today. It's rather the relatively small number of music fans who are willing to listen to something different. That goes for proggers too, which there aren't a whole lot of anyway.

There are indeed those who pride themselves with being adventurous music fans, yet what they really mean is that they want music that sounds almost exactly like the one produced between 69-76 - and preferably from the biggies too. None of that crazy foreign stuff!!!!
Then they get what they want and instantly start complaining about plagiarism

A complete lack of consideration as to whether anyone would actually buy the album, perhaps.

Horizons wrote: Another reason why 70's music, or aged music in general may seem unique is the inevitable sense of nostalgia. It's not a secret that a lot of people on PA lived through the classic era, so to link music with such a great time in your life and with so many kinds of emotions - it hard to not see why. It's not a bad thing. That's the beauty of music, the connection people have with just listening to it.

Prog was unique in the 70s because no one considered it "prog". Yes, Tull, Floyd and Genesis were unique rock bands going beyond the standard musical fare of the day. They were pioneers on the desolate plain of rock music.

The Dark Elf wrote: Prog was unique in the 70s because no one considered it "prog". Yes, Tull, Floyd and Genesis were unique rock bands going beyond the standard musical fare of the day. They were pioneers on the desolate plain of rock music.