The Big Three - who are they?

I recently posted a poll called The Big Three, asking which band was the greatest: Genesis, Pink Floyd or Yes. Many people argued that the poll was inaccurate and that these weren't the three best prog bands. So, if pushed to choose only the three best prog bands, which would you choose?

Just to get things started, I think that the three greatest prog bands of all time are (in order)
1. Genesis
2. Pink Floyd
3. Yes

Edited by Green Shield Stamp - May 23 2015 at 19:19

Green Shield Stamp wrote: I recently posted a poll called The Big Three, asking which band was the greatest: Genesis, Pink Floyd or Yes. Many people argued that the poll was inaccurate and that these weren't the three best prog bands. So, if pushed to choose only the three best prog bands, which would you choose? Just to get things started, I think that the three greatest prog bands of all time are (in order) 1. Genesis 2. Pink Floyd 3. Yes

micky wrote: no brainer man Yes, ELP, King Crimson the classics, the creators, and the bands associated WITH prog not just by prog fans.. but anyone who knows anything OF prog.

micky wrote:   only if some clowns had tried to throw Tull into the conversation

Potemkine

I sometimes get looked at cross-eyed for this opinion, but I honestly believe that The Moody Blues need to be considered in this discussion.    I think you could make a good case for Days of Future Past being the first full on progressive rock album....predating In the Court of the Crimson King by two full years....although Piper by PF beat it by just 2 or 3 months.    It may have a lighter feel to it, but I feel the Moodies were extremely important to the early prog rock movement.  

I find it very difficult to get it down to three... specially if I try to think about the best, or most succesful, or whatever. I think your choices were mostly acurate... though some might argue that Pink Floyd wouldn't be prog enough, or that either King Crimson (for their importance to prog) and ELP (for their importance and popularity) should be included. Or else, Jethro Tull, for it's popularity. However, if I should want to make a BIG # list of prog bands, I would think about narrowing the list to british bands, since that's were prog's popularity began and where the most popular bands come from, and I would have to broaden the number to 6, since I just can't find a way to leave any of this out: Pink Floyd, King Crimson, ELP, Yes, Genesis, and Jethro Tull. If I really had to narrow it any further, I would go with 4, leaving the less proggy ones out (Jethro Tull and Pink Floyd).

Edited by Dellinger - March 12 2016 at 22:59

The Big Three were ELP, Yes and Jethro Tull.

Slartibartfast wrote: I would choose not to choose.  With so many great artists out there, what the hell is the dammed point?  If you can provide one definitive answer to this question I might offer an opinion, but who the hell would really care what I thought?

Absolutely, we could all be outside living our lives rather than adding to the cosmic cacophony of millions of opinions all scrambling to be heard and acknowledged but resolutely ignored in the coldness of space! sorry.. did i really write that.... err.. Magma, Van der Graaf Generator and Henry Cow.. or Can..

cstack3 wrote: King Crimson Yes Genesis ...based upon the strength of the compositions, quality of instrumentals and vocals, and influence upon the genre.  There were many outstanding bands, but I think these guys influenced everything in prog, then and now.