On the eve of one of the most anticipated events in music - the release of the remastered Beatles catalog - I harken back to all of the interviews I conducted with prog- and neo-prog rock stars such as: Steve Howe (Yes), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Ian McDonald (King Crimson/Foreigner), Mike Giles (King Crimson), Bill Bruford (King Crimson, Yes, Genesis), Clive Nolan (Pendragon, and a whole bunch of other bands), Mike Pinder (Moody Blues), Nick Barrett (Pendragon), Stuart Nicholson (Galahad), Martin Orford (IQ), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), etc.
I thought if any of anyone would know where prog rock came from, it would be the musicians credited with starting it or reviving it and keeping it going.
The vast majority of musicians gave the same answer: The Beatles.
Shocked, I pressed them for clarification. A few of them (such as Ian McDonald or Mike Giles) traced it back to one album, even one song on that album: The Beatles' Revolver album and the song "Tomorrow Never Knows." Then, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band blew the doors wide open for prog rock to follow.
Over the years since those interviews, I spent a great deal more time with the Beatles, and discovered they were right. The term "progressive" applied to the Beatles perhaps more than to any band that followed. They were, I came to realize, the first true progressive-rock band.
What do you think? Agree? Disagree?
Bill
I thought if any of anyone would know where prog rock came from, it would be the musicians credited with starting it or reviving it and keeping it going.
The vast majority of musicians gave the same answer: The Beatles.
Shocked, I pressed them for clarification. A few of them (such as Ian McDonald or Mike Giles) traced it back to one album, even one song on that album: The Beatles' Revolver album and the song "Tomorrow Never Knows." Then, Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band blew the doors wide open for prog rock to follow.
Over the years since those interviews, I spent a great deal more time with the Beatles, and discovered they were right. The term "progressive" applied to the Beatles perhaps more than to any band that followed. They were, I came to realize, the first true progressive-rock band.
What do you think? Agree? Disagree?
Bill