I've only just discovered this section exists

I should have realized that their was a newbie introduce yourself section.

Here goes, I originally got into hard/heavy rock when I was 14/15 which got me into Marillion who were lumped in with that scene.. I soon realized that there was an absolute magic about Marillion's sound that no other band had.
This led me to investigate other progressive rock bands starting with Genesis who so many people said Marillion sounded like.  (they bloody well don't).  Then Yes, Pallas, Pink Floyd etc 

But you don't want to read my life story.

I believe that with the possible exception of classical, no other form of music has the ambition, the complexity, the innovation coupled with the desire to push the envelope, the light and shade, the subtletly at times and the sheer musicianship that is found in progressive rock.
Having said that, I believe it is important to be honest with others (and yourself) regarding what music you like and don't like. I'm certainly not going to pretend to like godawful bands like The Smiths, The Ramones,or Joy Division because certain music magazines tell us that we should like these bands.
 When I wear a band shirt it is because I like that band, I have almost certainly seen them live and have most of their albums, and I'm probably wearing that shirt today because I have been listening to that band very recently.

I like the following prog bands;
After Forever, Amon Duul 2, Arena, Sophya Baccini,  Ayreon, Camel, ELO, The Enid, Final Conflict, Cosmograf, Citizen Cain, Genesis, Gong, Hawkwind,  IQ, Jethro Tull, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Manning, Marillion, Mostly Autumn, Nightwish, Mike Oldfield, Pallas, Pendragon, Queen, Porcupie Tree, Pink Floyd, Rhapsody (of Fire), RPWL, Rush, Spock's Beard, Shadowland, Lucca Turilli, Tarja, Al Stewart, Roger Waters, Yes, Rick Wakeman.

And the following non prog bands;
Adam and the Ants, Adam Ant, The Beatles, Blur, Chumbawumba, Guns n Roses, Iron Maiden, Morcheeba, Men at Work, Jean Michelle Jarre, Sophie B Hawkins, Led Zepellin, Rainbow,Paul Roland, Skyclad, UFO.

And I also like Beethoven and Mozart.

Atavachron wrote: Welcome.  A fellow headbanger-turned-proggie.  I like that.

There always has been a wide overlap between progressive rock and hard rock, and of course some bands eg Rush, Mostly Autumn straddle it.
I must admit I so tend to prefer the heavier end of progressive rock. Most of Marillion's albums with H tend to be at the heavier end of prog. and of course so are artists like Ayreon and Arena.