Readers Poll: The Best Prog Rock Bands of All Time

Rolling Stone Magazine ^ | 7-21-2011 | Andy Greene

[mylife]

Spocks Beard is a cool band.

[mkleesma]

As a lover of ProgRock, I agree with most of this, though a couple of the bands I’ve never heard of.
And as much as I love ELP, I have to agree on Rush as #1.

Spent many a New Year’s Eve at the annual concert - Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto - Rush, backed up by an equally great band that, sadly, most Americans have never heard of - Max Webster.

Good times.

[MatD]

I would like to see them do a Prog Metal list. And for those who like Dream Theater who are looking for something else to listen to, check out Symphony X.

And Edguy rocks too.

[aegiscg47]

It's no surprise that I would vote for Rush since I own all of their albums and having seen them a dozen times! Yes is a great choice too, but as the article states, it's tough telling which version of the group you're listening to.

I'm surprised that Porcupine Tree isn't on the list. They've been pretty popular of late and it's pretty good stuff. For those of you who haven't tried them, think of it as a combo of Pink Floyd, Rush time signatures(all over the place), early Genesis, and Dream Theater.

[mylife]

Ive seen Max Webster

[tal hajus]

Have you heard Edguy’s “Metal Opera”?

[MarkL]

backed up by an equally great band that, sadly, most Americans have never heard of - Max Webster.

I LOVED Max Webster too. They toured quite a bit with Rush, and they played a concert in NYC with The Outlaws and Foghat!

"Hangover" and "The Party" are two examples of really great songs.

It's been too long since I heard anything by them or Kim Mitchel.

Mark

[grey_whiskers]

Would it be inappropriate to mention Glass Hammer?

Cheers!

[BufordP]

Mellotron, fool!

[sleeper-has-awakened]

The Flower Kings! Greatest Prog Band Ever

[mylife]

Hatfield And The North~Son of there's no place like Homerton

[sleeper-has-awakened]

Neal Morse is pretty awesome. And a christian too.

[mkleesma]

“Ive seen Max Webster”

Then you are truly blessed. :-)

High Class in Borrowed Shoes!

[sleeper-has-awakened]

Pendragon is amazing and conservative. Nice lyrics on this song, it starts a little slow but is excellent!

[BufordP]

In addition to the list - my favorites:

Alan Parsons
Ambrosia
Camel
Eloy
Focus
Gentle Giant
Iron Butterfly
Journey (before Steve Perry)
Jean-Luc Ponty
Mahogany Rush
Mastermind
Moody Blues
Nektar
Procol Harum
Renaissance
Spirit
Strawbs
Supertramp
Traffic
Triumvirat
Uriah Heep
Wishbone Ash
The Who

[sleeper-has-awakened]

Transatlantic , a "super" group with arguably the greatest drummer around, the best guitarist, and on of the best epic song writers/keyboard players. What do you mean you never heard of them?

[mylife]

The short lived combo "UK" John Wetton, Allan Holdsworth, Bill Bruford, Eddie Jobson. ~ Mental Medication

[Chode]

excellent...

[mylife]

It was supposed to be Rush, Max Webster, and The Pez Band.

Rush cancelled, but it was cool. Budgie filled in.

Crash Course In Brain Surgery

[BufordP]

I would have put Holdsworth on my list but I figured him more Fusion. But hey, Fusion and Prog.

Saw Holdsworth 3 times. Once at Mississippi Nights in St Louis. Of all places to meet him up close...urinal to urinal. WTF do you say? Nothin’.