What is your number 1 prog band?

It's Yes for me. My wife and I watched the Yes Symphonic video last night, and we were pretty sure the crowd got their money's worth out of that show. I could easily discount them since Heaven and Earth, but the Topographic Drama tour was one of the best Yes concerts I have attended. Down but not out.

But I look at King Crimson, and the totality of their work gives them a case for the greatest prog band of all time. I wouldn't have thought that until recently, even though I have loved them since they first appeared in 1969. But in retrospect, their contributions just keep on coming (especially with the news of a new studio album), and every work has been a step forward in one way or another.

When I look at prog as a whole, there are so many bands who are totally great.
I could never discount Genesis, Jethro Tull, Zappa, Gentle Giant, Spock's Beard, Dream Theater, The Flower Kings, and so many other bands I listen to routinely who have made enormous contributions to the genre. Although I'm a lifelong Yes-head, there are so many bands who are essential for making life worth living.

RockHound wrote: ... But I look at King Crimson, and the totality of their work gives them a case for the greatest prog band of all time. I wouldn't have thought that until recently, even though I have loved them since they first appeared in 1969. But in retrospect, their contributions just keep on coming (especially with the news of a new studio album), and every work has been a step forward in one way or another. ...

Hi,

A lot of their contributions were on account of personnel changes, which gave the group another identity, though we always knew that it was based around Robert Fripp, in general, but none of it was really a let down, and compared to what they did before was always different and new.

This time, though, I'm not sure that it will be "new" as we can look at all the members, and there really is not new person/name that might add a bit more or less to the whole thing and make it more interesting. I would like to see the "boys' band" thing busted up and a super song with Toyah singing all the way to the top and gasping!

Robert is in the later years, and I think that he might just let things go some and allow the other folks to put most of it together and then he can add what he comes up with and maybe even change some things here or there and go from there, but I'm not sure that he will be into the creative side of it heavy duty ... he knows KDC is established and has nothing to prove to anyone. A new album, better or worse, is not going to make much of a difference, and he is having much more fun with Toyah and able to smell the roses and not have to deal with various group this or that ... and at his age, it makes a massive difference. And I think he knows it, but the "demand" by fans and everyone else, is for another album, though I'm not sure he will be the boss this time, which I think will make the album possibly more towards known areas of their work, than something totally new and different.

In listening to the various members during this wait, none of them have done neat and far out bits and pieces, that any of us would sit here and go ... wow ... that is outstanding (even comparing to KC proper) ... so us thinking it will be another show stopper, might be asking for too much.

In all honesty, I want to see the band shine the rest of the way, and then smile. They did well ... and don't need to show it again to no one, except the universe of time ... and that has already been in place for 60 plus years!

Edited by moshkito - July 13 2025 at 07:43

Prog-jester wrote: I rarely listen to prog these days, but it's always gonna be Genesis, even though Marillion's debut is the most important album in my life

Really? What do you mostly listen to these days then? And please don't say K-Pop.

Intruder wrote: The good ol' Grateful Dead, of course.

Are you serious?

Genesis

It changes one moment to the next but YES - Topographic Oceans era...