Progressive Rock Reconsidered

Progressive or art rock was one of the most important trends in rock and roll during the early and mid-‘70s. Groups like Genesis, Yes, Procol Harum, and Pink Floyd broke new ground by taking classical composition techniques and structures and wedding them with the power and drive of rock. Yet, by the end of the decade, the punk backlash had pretty much ended prog-rock’s reign as rock’s leading style. Today, scholars of rock and popular culture have returned to these musical groups and their achievements with new recognition of the musical sophistication they brought to rock and roll. In this book, the glory days of progressive rock are relived in a series of insightful essays about the key bands, songwriters, and songs that made prog-rock such an innovative style. For fans-both old and new-this collection sheds new light on an important trend in rock and roll with repercussions still being felt among today’s artists. Progressive Rock Reconsidered is a landmark work on this important era in rock’s history.