After a steady childhood diet of the Beatles, Sinatra and 1970s AM radio, my older brother came home for Thanksgiving break, freshman year of college.  This would have been November 1980.  "Listen to this" he said.  It was "The Trees" by Rush.

I haven't had to re-think prog rock, because I've been worshipping Rush since then.

When my brother introduced Rush, he also played "Allison" by Elvis Costello.  Hooked on that too.

I played Allison for practice yesterday. Classic.

Is Rush Prog rock too?

I thought Rush defined "Rock"... as opposed to "Rock and Roll", or "Acid Rock", or "Blues Rock" etc.

mike_mccue


I played Allison for practice yesterday. Classic.

Is Rush Prog rock too?

I thought Rush defined "Rock"... as opposed to "Rock and Roll", or "Acid Rock", or "Blues Rock" etc.

They started out as a straight ahead rock band but they got into the prog stuff later on..I think it was the 2112 album.


Then, again, Budgie also was that way too..

I have a Love-Despair thing with Prog Rock.  I absolutely love it.  It also drives me crazy(ier) when it loses its musicality in favor of a technical exercise.  I enjoy the technical brilliance and complexity, but sometimes, it seems many bands sacrifice a good melody or the "feel" for blinding wizardry. 

Watching a band play things so complex it causes brain damage is fun, but it leaves me cold when it devolves into noise.  I enjoy it when a band uses their technical expertise to enhance the song, rather than obliterate it.  For me, the song is what really matters.  Sometimes, I miss that in Prog Rock.

I found a college room mate lying on the floor one morning... he had blown out my pair of AKG 240s that night... they were still on his head. The label on the 2112 record was bouncing the tone arm back and forth repeatedly.

I'll never forget the sight.

Even though the headphones were way out of warranty AKG gave me a whole new set of cans... they said they had never seen anyone do that before.

Rock on!

mike_mccue



Is Rush Prog rock too?

With titles like 'By-Tor and The Snow Dog', 'Temples of Syrinx' and 'Cygnus X1-Book 1 -The Voyage'...they're probably not blue-eyed soul...

trimph1


Van Der Graaf Generator

Love 'em..Still Life is one my favourite albums.

Earthworks is on my iPad. You played with belew? I'm not worthy

If you are asking me... I was playing/listening to Belew on internet radio... and thoroughly enjoying myself.

When I was a youngster I thought playing in his style was the coolest.

I've never seen him in person.


best,
mike

So it was prog my ears were enjoying back then?  Have to admit my memory of back then is a little hazzy.

My ears still enjoy most of it plus they have learnt to love lots of other music. 

I like my ears they have rarely lead me astray.