Most popular prog bands among prog fans

I think for the 70's period it is mostly the usual big 6, plus perhaps those you added (Camel and Gentle Giant), and I guess Van Der Graaf Generator. And you are definitley missing Rush too. Then, I think you are missing a Prog Metal category, since it's been very important since the 90's (I would say it peaked in the first half of the 00's). In which case you would be missing Dream Theater and Opeth at the very least (you already listed Riverside), perhaps also Ayreon, Pain of Salvation, and Haken. And you might think to leave Porcupine Tree out because of how big they might be out of the prog circles, but they were still huge within prog circles too, so I guess they should be considered on this list... as well as Steven Wilson solo, for that matter (and I guess bands like Pink Floyd, Rush, and Dream Theater might be in for the same dilemma, being really popular outside of prog circles, but also within).

Sounds like you're trying to start another 20+ page drama thread, OP!  

I’ll think about this then. I’ll be back

I'd have thought Mostly Autumn and Porcupine Tree would be the most  popular of the last 20 years. Or has Mostly  Autumm's following waned since Heather  Findlay's departure?

From your list, I choose Camel from the classic era, IQ from the middle period, but no idea on the recent era  although if I could choose an artist that's not listed, then it would be Mostly Autumn easily. 

Edited by Psychedelic Paul - May 11 2021 at 07:02

Grumpyprogfan wrote: Curious as to what your criteria is to be popular? Album sales, airplay, geographic location, number of reviews on PA, longevity? I'm a prog fan and would never consider Camel popular. I would substitute Kansas in their place. I would also say Jethro Tull was more popular than Gentle Giant. Never heard Giant on the radio in the 70's, but Tull was played a lot.  If it is the ability to attract fans and sell enough tickets to play at stadiums, the only three that come to mind, later in their careers, are Rush, Genesis, and Pink Floyd.

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote: I can understand Jethro Tull not being in there as their broad appeal was more blues rock / folk than proggy prog. I'd have to say ELP with their over the top pyrotechnic symphonic bombast are a must add to that list ahead of GG. Surely Anglagard must be in that later period, possibly Discipline & echolyn? How about Magma in the middle period? They'd be the most edgy band on the list by a mile. It's an awfully vanilla set of bands after the classic period, I guess your criteria of excluding bands with broad appeal while the niche bands are also not popular enough leaves you with neo & crossover.

Ok so you are looking for current prog fan perspectives rather than how bands were perceived by prog fans back in the day? If that is the case I'd certainly agree that ELP's fandom has declined with hindsight while GG's has risen.

In terms of albums shifted it has to be ELP, Yes and Floyd plus later Genesis.  These bands transcended prog audiences.  

Nogbad_The_Bad wrote: Ok so you are looking for current prog fan perspectives rather than how bands were perceived by prog fans back in the day? If that is the case I'd certainly agree that ELP's fandom has declined with hindsight while GG's has risen.