I've been kicking this thought around for years.
I grew up listening to lots of stuff.--Mostly YES, GENESIS, MOODY BLUES, RUSH, PETER GABRIEL, ELP, PINK FLOYD, JETHRO TULL, KANSAS, etc.
Still do!!---Still growing up I guess.-lol

When I listen to this stuff with other people, I'm always asked "What kind of music is that?"
I tell them it's Prog and try to explain "Progressive Music".
Always turns into a snowball rolling towards hell!!--I can't say cuz I really don't the answer.
I've never heard any of the above mentioned bands refer to themselves as a Prog band.

I've heard many of one's thoughts on this matter.
Always sensible but exactly different opinions.
I consider that as a good thing as it never turns into arguement!!--BUT, it still doesn't explain what "PROG" is.

"PROG" isn't pop, soul, rap, jazz, classical, opera, blues, country, rock, and all of the others which I can't name!!-lol.

My opinion is that PROG is one of any or many combinations of the above mentioned musical forms.
It can all be great by design based on being able to get 3 or more musicians willing to mingle their thoughts and talents with disagreements, arguements, and egos set aside.
You can come up with some pretty good shtuff with so many options sitting out there.
Why is there not more of this?

I didn't realise how much good stuff that I've been missing until I crossed paths with S.A.!

My definition of "PROG" is: "It's what we uffing like!!"

What might your thoughts be on this?--I'd like to hear your opinions!!

Excellent question Brent which unfortunately isn't easily answered !!

If anybody has the time, I would recommend this link as a great resource to the points you have raised  :-

http://gepr.net/genre2.html

Later.

D.C.

This is an interesting question (see Requests thread).  It varies so much, doesn't it?

Take Genesis, for example:

Genesis to "Lamb": prog, without a doubt.
Genesis post-Lamb...hmm.  Could be at times, still did ling songs well into career with themes, sections, etc.

Gabriel, on first album - yes v prog.
Gabriel on "So"...not convinced.  
When did he change??

Phil Collins solo - no way, never was remotely prog!

Hmm, the more I think about this the harder it gets...

bogl

searche groupe GENESIS, album FOXTROT
i am french, amateur music 60 & 70 Rock Clasique
& specifique Orzic Tentacles, Camel, Yes, Dream Teather
Floyd, mike Oldfield Zappa
( style Blues) Jimi Hendrix, BB king & Clapton
i am content station stellar and style musique

Hi there Nenes and welcome to the Forum !!

Excellent selection of bands you have listed ...

D.C.

Just heard you play 'Paranoid Android' by Radiohead. Bloody excellent band.
Are Radiohead Prog? No.
Are Radiohead Progressive? Absolutely!!

Glad you appreciate the 'Radiohead' Silver !!

Damn fine band who I hope to be playing more of very soon.

Radiohead must be one of the best newish UK bands.

I myself think of progressive as a genre
created by the music industry
as a place to put bands that have a sound
that is so original that it defies categorization.

Many different people seem to have many different ideas
about what belongs in the progressive slot or not.
I have seen some crazy stuff categorized as progressive.
And the other way around.
Whatever...

To me personally there are five genres of music;
PRACTICALLY PERFECT, GOOD, OK, BAD and ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE! ;)

Couldn't agree more GG! ;D Unfortunately most people uphold these stereotypes (round pegs in square holes!!)
I am more often asked 'What kind of music do you like' - as opposed to what music do you like.
 To me- the "Progressive Label" is and always will be a broad brush that covers many traditional genres.  I think creativity and  originality are the only prerequisites for a music to be progressive to me.
 I guess then, progressivity is in the ear of the behearer! :D
-btn

agree GG (hello everyone)!

so...progressive the noun vs. progressive
the verb. ;D

at the time, we didn't think of  led zep or the who
as being different from yes, pink floyd, mahavishnu
or even... deep purple for that matter.

college radio programmed music like gil-scott heron,
the chambers bros., vangelis, tomita between the
"classic art rock".

my philosophy has always been "genres are for
record stores".

p e a c e
kirk

OK this is an old tread but I will throw my thoughts out there on what Prog is. First off, its not made by bands who are seeking the 3:30 airplay song. Some such as "Yes" and others do make the main billboard charts but not at the expense of selling out the genre. I always think of Prog as a wide range of music that has no real rules or template in construction. hardley ever follows a verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus. Certaily it lends itself to frequent time signature, tempo and key changes within a song. Many times the songs will follow the soul or feel of the subject closer than can be expressed than top 40, county and others (blues being and exception). When telling people about progressive rock, I usually say "if Mozart were alive today playing rock, Prog is what you would get."

Perhaps that was not well expresed, but that is my thoughts on Prog. I may not know how to describe it, but I know it when I hear it.

What groups are considered, Prog Rock? Excellent question! I am always pondering this question, and wonder if some of the other music I listened to in the 70's would also be considered, Prog Rock, such as Queen, Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, for example. What are your thoughts? Is there any type of written list which specifies the groups which are considered Prog Rock?

Landy

I don't know exactly, ::)

But at www.progarchives.com  you can have an idea,  there's also some categories of prog rock ::) ::)

Mines are for example psychedilic prog rock, neo prog rock, and space prog rock, and also hard prog rock ( spécialy because of John Petrucci ;) )

:) :)

I also forgot symphonic prog rock :o :o

saw this thread and wanted to share this story--

I've been married to a wonderful woman for 24 years and when she married me she knew i was a prog music listener and she actually has grown to like much of the artists i listen to.
I found out last summer (07) by chance she told some other parents of my kid's friends that i have over 1,200 cds and listen to music all the time. Of course they asked what i listen to and she replied music  from Prague in Europe.
All these years she has been telling people i listen to a lot of groups from Prague. Of course i couldn't believe it and had a good laugh also.
It has since become a favorite story of mine.

JT   ;D

JestersTear wrote on 30^th Sep, 2008 at 11:58pm:

saw this thread and wanted to share this story-- I've been married to a wonderful woman for 24 years and when she married me she knew i was a prog music listener and she actually has grown to like much of the artists i listen to. I found out last summer (07) by chance she told some other parents of my kid's friends that i have over 1,200 cds and listen to music all the time. Of course they asked what i listen to and she replied music  from Prague in Europe. All these years she has been telling people i listen to a lot of groups from Prague. Of course i couldn't believe it and had a good laugh also. It has since become a favorite story of mine. JT   ;D

Sounds like an album title waiting to happen - - Prague Rock!
Great story!;D
Welcome to SA -  J.T.
-Hm

Stellar-attraction, Prague Rock radio! lol

Nice story JT!

Max