prog artist’s peak year

1972 was a great year for prog-rock. Let's see:

• Foxtrot
• Close to the Edge
• Obscured by Clouds
• Trilogy
• Focus 3
• Thick as a Brick

Only "Obscured by Clouds" could not be considered as an artistic peak, but otherwise is a great album.

greenback wrote: Moogtron III wrote: For me: Rick Wakeman in 1977, in the Mountain Studios.  He did Going For The One, White Rock and Criminal Record in that year, in those studios. good call, but i find white rock a bit less good. and was it a peak or just that he modernized his keyboards? i have in mind 6 wives of henry 8.

I agree with you to a certain extent about White Rock, and I guess that's because of the compositions. Still, 1977 is my favourite Wakeman year, because I really love his contributions to Going For The One and Criminal Record... and also to White Rock, because of an element which I can't really describe well. Maybe it has to do with the modernisation of his keyboards. That could be so. It's hard for me to found it. Still, there's something else in his keyboard playing in that year. Something glorious? Like being on the top of the world? Well, I've reached the limits of explanation  . Can't get it from sujective to inter-subjective, let alone objective. I rest my case  , if I use this expression correctly .

I'd say Steve Howe peaked in 1974 on Relayer.  He's said that it's his favorite album, as did White.

Wakeman '72

Anderson - too tough to call, he was pretty much perfect for 7 years straight.

Squire - I'd say '77, but that's just because, with the GftO studio sessions video, you can actually see how much he's bringing to the table when you can hear his vocals singled out instead of masked by Anderson.

I'll agree with video vertigo on the Rush members, except Moving Pictures was 1981.

Dream Theater - 1999 

Moogtron III wrote:

For me: Rick Wakeman in 1977, in the Mountain Studios.  He did Going For The One, White Rock and Criminal Record in that year, in those studios.

 I disagree, IMO Rick Wakeman  best years are 72 - 75 (Six Wives, Journey, Myths and Legends- Fragile, Close to the Edge, Yessongs)

Iván

Publius wrote: Well I think all of the original great prog bands (the ones we all know and love) were in their prime until 1977, when they released their last truly great album. Think about it. Yes had Going For The One (Followed by Tormato, with a different line-up - crap album.) Then Genesis had Wind & Wuthering (Last album with Steve Hackett. In 1980 they turned to pop.). Pink Floyd had Animals (Followed by the terrifyingly successful The Wall)... ELP released their final ideas on Works 1 and 2. It all makes sense. Something must have deliberately killed great prog in 1977. Was it Star Wars?

we all know what happened 1977-1980........

Genesis - 1973

King Crimson - 73-74

Gentle Giant - 72-76

Yes - 1972

ELP - 1973

Pink Floyd - 73-77

Dream Theater - 92-94

Symphony X - 97-02

Supertramp - 1974

Jethro Tull - 72-73

VDGG - 70-75

Mike Oldfield - 73-78

Well I think all of the original great prog bands (the ones we all know and love) were in their prime until 1977, when they released their last truly great album. Think about it. Yes had Going For The One (Followed by Tormato, with a different line-up - crap album.) Then Genesis had Wind & Wuthering (Last album with Steve Hackett. In 1980 they turned to pop.). Pink Floyd had Animals (Followed by the terrifyingly successful The Wall)... ELP released their final ideas on Works 1 and 2. It all makes sense. Something must have deliberately killed great prog in 1977.

Was it Star Wars?

i think it would be hard to define Rush's peak year, with all their ups and downs and sound changes. i'd guess it would be about '76 or'77(between "2112" and "A Farewell to Kings") or possibly whenever "Moving Pictures" was released.

Logos wrote: Disagree with Steve Howe & 1971 - for christs' sake they released Fragile and CttE 1972, two of the most successful and innovative prog rock albums!!

yes, but on those albums he shares much of the spotlight with Rick Wakeman.

he really gets his time to shine on The Yes Album