Reader’s Top 100 Progressive Rock Bands and Artists of All Time

Defining the meaning of the term “Progressive Rock,” is a difficult task. Music historians, critics, and fans are in constant debate and argument over the width of the lens that should be used in gauging an artist or band’s progressiveness. Does the term Progressive Rock pinpoint one specific style of music or does it encompass a series of subcategories all defined by a musical progression from the norm. That brings up another question in defining what is the norm. The norm constantly changes. What may have been defined as progressive in the 1950’s is now termed as traditional or oldies.

Rock music fans have dramatically different views on what defines a band’s progressiveness, originality or genre. From the surveys we took, it became very obvious how serious some fans take the classification of their favorite groups. Of course, we already understood that being long time rock music fans ourselves. Nonetheless, it’s always interesting and helpful as writers to see the picks and comments that we collect in reader surveys.

The Fan’s Embrace of Progressive Rock

Rock music fans have grown up with many of these bands listed below. Fans become protective of the legacy of bands they have supported and listened to their entire lives. People also become defensive of the genres of music they represent as fans. Many times we heard from fans who had described themselves as “prog heads,” complaining that our original Top 10 Progressive Rock Bands list was too mainstream. It’s interesting that in a world in which we are flooded with music by the likes of Justin Bieber and Harry Styles, bands like Yes and Genesis are considered too mainstream. However, the “Prog Heads,” do present a valid point. There are so many great Progressive Rock bands from around the work that go unnoticed.

It’s upsetting to fans of these bands that the groups they love do not get the recognition they deserve. In some rare cases, these bands do eventually achieve stardom. When that moment arrives, a funny thing happens; these bands tend to lose some of their most loyal fans. Rock fans can be a funny breed. They want recognition for the bands they love, but in some ways, do not want to share them with the masses. How many times have you heard your friends say, I used to like them before they got too big.”

Demographics:

Fans of Progressive Rock and for the most part Classic Rock, are dominated by a certain age and gender demographics. Based on statistics we compiled from our surveys and further research we have done over the years with Google, it becomes clear that for the most part, fans of Classic and Progressive rock fall into the male age group between 50 and 65, with males 65+ coming in a close second.  Obviously, that does not mean that females and males outside of that specific age group do not like Progressive Rock music. There are millions and millions of fans of all ages and gender that love Progressive Rock, Classic rock and all forms of rock music. Nonetheless, statistics do define a particular age group that is drawn more to Progressive Rock music than all other age groups.

Defining Progressive Rock

This is a readers survey, so in essence, it is the readers who have defined what bands they view as symbolic of the art form of Progressive Rock. Overall, everyone was in agreement that bands like Yes, King Crimson and Genesis were shining examples in defining the art form of Progressive Rock on a mass cultural level. Bands like Soft Machine, Camel, Caravan and Marillion also received many votes. However, the support behind bands like Camel and Caravan came for the most part from the Eastern side of the Atlantic.

There were a handful of bands that fueled intense debate as to their label of progressiveness. Bands like The Moody Blues, Rush, Jethro Tull and surprisingly even Pink Floyd took some hits from fans who argued against those groups being labeled as Progressive.

One of the most common questions we were asked when we first sent out the surveys was “does a band that is mostly categorized as straight-ahead rock but occasionally releases a song or even an album  bathed in Progressive Rock be considered for the list?”  As we have said before, that is up to the readers to decide. However, we loved the question and recognize its importance. We think we answered that question by compiling our own Top 200 Progressive Rock Bands and Artists list at the end of the article. That list should define what the writers here view as bands that portray the art form of Progressive Rock. In the end, it comes down to the simple notion of whether one defines the word Progressive as a noun or a verb.

Final Thoughts Before The Big List of Progressive Rock Bands and Artists

One of the main goals of this site has always been to serve as an introduction of Classic Rock music to younger people who are not aware of all the great rock music that has been recorded and released over the past sixty-five years. There are writers at the site who are teachers. It’s shocking but not surprising that most high school students have never even heard of Mick Jagger. What is even worse, is the fact that some of the teachers who are in their thirties have never even heard of Emerson Lake & Palmer or Jethro Tull. So, to quote Jake Elwood, “we are on a mission” to spread the word, to share the music of the greats with those who have never heard the sounds of progressiveness in music. In the same breath, its fun to celebrate the history of the music with those who have lived alongside it and love to argue about the bands. Thanks to all those who voted and took part in this great list.

Reader’s Top 100 Progressive Rock Bands and Artists List

 

# 100 – Anglagard

Debut Album: Hybris (1994)

Essential Album: Hybris

Essential Song: Hostsejd

10 Essential Anglagard Songs

 

# 99 – Galahad

Debut Album or release: Studio 95 Demo (1985)

Essential Album: Empires Never Last

Essential Song: Termination

10 Essential Galahad Songs

 

# 98 – Bloodrock

Debut Album: Bloodrock (1970)

Essential Album: Bloodrock 3 (1971)

Essential Song: D.O.A.

10 Essential Bloodrock Songs

 

# 97 – Area

Debut Album: Arbeit Macht Frei (1973)

Essential Album: Crac! (1975) 

Essential Song:  Acrostico In Memoria Di Laio 

10 Essential Area Songs

 

# 96 – King’s X

Debut Album: Out Of The Silent Planet (1988)

Essential Album: Gretchen Goes to Nebraska

Essential Song: Over My Head

10 Essential King’s X Songs

 

# 95 – Edgar Winter

Debut Album: Entrance (1970)

Essential Album: They Only Come Out at Night (1972)

Essential Song: Frankenstein

10 Essential Edgar Winter Songs

 

# 94 – Barclay James Harvest

Debut Album: Barclay James Harvest (1970)

Essential Album: Once Again (1971)

Essential Song: Mocking Bird

10 Essential Barclay James Harvest Songs

 

# 93 – 13th Floor Elevators

Debut Album: The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966)

Essential Album: The Psychedelic Sounds of the 13th Floor Elevators (1966)

Essential Song: You´re Gonna Miss Me

10 Essential 13th Floor Elevators Songs

 

# 92 – Banco del Mutuo Soccorso

Debut Album: Banco del Mutuo Soccorso (1972)

Essential Album:Darwin! (1972)

Essential Song: Moby Dick

10 Essential Banco del Mutuo Soccorso Songs

 

# 91 – Steve Hillage

Debut Album: Fish Rising (1975)

Essential Album: Fish Rising (1975)

Essential Song: The Salmon Song

 

# 90 – The Flower Kings

Debut Album: Back in the World of Adventures (1995)

Essential Album: Stardust We Are (1997)

Essential Song: The Truth Will Set You Free

10 Essential Songs by The Flower Kings

 

# 89 – Planet X

Debut Album: Universe (2000)

Essential Album: Quantum (2007)

Essential Song: Desert Girl

10 Essential Planet X Songs

 

# 88 – Steve Vai

Debut Album: Flex-able (1984)

Essential Album: Passion and Warfare (1990)

Essential Song: For The Love Of God

10 Essential Steve Vai Songs

 

# 87 – Beardfish

Debut Album: Från en plats du ej kan se… (2003)

Essential Album: Destined Solitaire (2009)

Essential Song: Sleeping In Traffic

 

# 86 – New Trolls

Debut Album: Senza orario Senza bandiera (1968)

Essential Album: Concerto grosso per i New Trolls (1971)

Essential Song: Concerto Grosso (complete suite part 1)

10 Essential New Trolls Songs

 

# 85 – King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard

Debut Album: 12 Bar Bruise (2012)

Essential Album:  I’m in Your Mind Fuzz, (2014)

Essential Song: Gamma Knife 

10 Essential King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard Songs

 

# 84 – Faith No More

Debut Album: We Care a Lot (1985)

Essential Album: The Real Thing (1989)

Essential Song: Epic

10 Essential Faith No More Songs

 

# 83- Hatfield and the North

Debut Album: Hatfield And The North (1974)

Essential Album: Hatfield And The North (1974)

Essential Song: Son Of ‘There’s No Place Like Homerton

10 Essential Hatfield and the North Songs

 

# 82 – Roxy Music

Debut Album: Roxy Music (1972)

Essential Album: Siren (1975)

Essential Song: Love Is The Drug

10 Essential Roxy Music Songs

 

# 81 – Anathema

Debut Album: Serenades (1993)

Essential Album: Judgment (1999)

Essential Song: One Last Goodbye

10 Essential Anathema Songs

 

# 80 – Blue Oyster Cult

Debut Album: Blue Oyster Cult (1972)

Essential Album: Agents of Fortune (1976)

Essential Song: Don’t Fear The Reaper

10 Essential Blue Oyster Cult Songs

 

# 79 – Steve Hackett

Debut Album: Voyage of the Acolyte (1975)

Essential Album: Spectral Mornings (1979)

Essential Song: Firth of Fifth

10 Essential Steve Hackett Songs

 

# 78 – Dixie Dregs

Debut Album: Freefall (1977)

Essential Album: What If? (1978)

Essential Song: Take It Off The Top

10 Essential Dixie Dregs Songs

 

# 77 – Al Stewart

Debut Album: Bedsitter Images (1967)

Essential Album: Year of the Cat (1976)

Essential Song: Year of the Cat

10 Essential Al Stewart Songs

 

# 76 – Saga

Debut Album: Saga (1978)

Essential Album: World’s Apart (1981)

Essential Song: On The Loose

10 Essential Saga Songs

 

# 75 – Atomic Rooster

Debut Solo Album: Atomic Rooster (1970)

Essential Album: Death Walks Behind You (1971)

Essential Song:  Tomorrow Night

10 Essential Atomic Rooster Songs

 

# 74 – Radiohead

Debut Album: Pablo Honey (1993)

Essential Album: OK Computer (1997)

Essential Song: Street Spirit

10 Essential Radiohead Songs

 

# 73 – Bill Bruford

Debut Album: Feels So Good To Me (1978)

Essential Album: One of a Kind (1979)

Essential Song: Triplicity

10 Essential Bill Bruford Songs

 

# 72 – Mastodon

Debut Album: Remission (2002)

Essential Album: Blood Mountain  (2006)

Essential Song: Colony of Birchmen

10 Essential Songs by Mastodon

 

# 71 – David Bowie

Debut Album: David Bowie (1967)

Essential Album: Diamond Dogs (1974)

Essential Song: Space Oddity

10 Essential David Bowie Songs

 

# 70 – Robert Fripp

Debut Solo Album: Exposure (1979)

Essential Album: Exposure (1979)

Essential Song: Breathless

10 Essential Robert Fripp Songs

 

# 69 – Brian Eno

Debut Solo Album: Here Come the Warm Jets (1974)

Essential Album: Another Green World (1975

Essential Song: Baby’s On Fire

10 Essential Brian Eno Songs

 

# 68 – The Mars Volta

Debut Album: De-Loused in the Comatorium (2003)

Essential Album: The Bedlam in Goliath

Essential Song:  The Widow

10 Essential Songs of The Mars Volta

 

# 67 – Twelfth Night

Debut Album: Skan (1979)

Essential Album: Fact or Fiction (1982)

Essential Song: We Are Sane

10 Essential Twelfth Night Songs

 

# 66 – Tom Waits

Debut Album: Closing Time (1973)

Essential Album: Mule Variations (1999)

Essential Song: What’s He Building In There?

10 Essential Tom Waits Songs

 

# 65 – Pallas

Debut Album: The Sentinel (1984)

Essential Album: The Sentinel (1984)

Essential Song: The Rise and Fall Part 1

10 Essential Pallas Songs

 

# 64 – The Enid

Debut Album: In The Region Of The Summer Stars (1976)

Essential Album: Aerie Faerie Nonsense (1977)

Essential Song: Something Wicked This Way Comes

10 Essential Songs from The Enid

 

# 63 –  Solstice

Debut Album: Silent Dance (1984)

Essential Album: New Life (1993)

Essential Song: Guardian

10 Essential Solstice Songs

 

# 62 – Henry Cow

Debut Album: Legend (1973)

Essential Album: Unrest (1974)

Essential Song: Ruins

10 Essential Beatles Songs (one of many lists, we have covered every year)

 

# 61 – Magma

Debut Album: Magma (1970)

Essential Album: Mekanïk Destruktïẁ Kommandöh (1973)

Essential Song: De Futura

10 Essential Magma Songs

 

# 60 – Opeth

Debut Album: Orchid (1985)

Essential Album: Blackwater Park (2001)

Essential Song: To Bid You Farewell

10 Essential Opeth Songs

 

# 59 – Queen

Debut Album: Queen (1973)

Essential Album: A Night At The Opera (1975)

Essential Song: Ogre Battle

10 Essential Queen Songs

 

# 58 – Ozric Tentacles

Debut Album: Pungent Effulgent  (1989)

Essential Album: Jurassic Shift  (1993)

Essential Song: Spirals in Hyperspace

10 Essential Ozric Tentacles Songs

 

# 57 – Ayreon

Debut Album: The Final Experiment (1995)

Essential Album: Into the Electric Castle (1998)

Essential Song: Isis And Osiris

 

# 56 – Pendragon

Debut Album: The Jewel (1985)

Essential Album: The Masquerade Overture (1996)

Essential Song: Indigo

10 Essential Pendragon Songs

 

# 55 – Rick Wakeman

Debut Solo Album: The Six Wives of Henry VIII (1973)

Essential Album: Journey to the Centre of the Earth (1974)

Essential Song: Journey/Recollection Suite

10 Essential Rick Wakeman Songs

 

# 54 – Spock’s Beard

Debut Album: The Light (1995)

Essential Album: V (2000)

Essential Song: The Healing Colors of Sound

10 Essential Spock’s Beard Songs

 

# 53 – Anekdoten

Debut Album: Vemod (1993)

Essential Album: Gravity (2003)

Essential Song: Karelia

10 Essential Anekdoten Songs

 

# 52 – Blood Sweat & Tears

Debut Album: Child is Father to Man (1968)

Essential Album: Blood Sweat & Tears (1968)

Essential Song: Spinning Wheel

10 Essential Blood Sweat & Tears Songs

 

# 51 – Curved Air

Debut Album: Air Conditioning (1970)

Essential Album: Phantasmagoria (1972)

Essential Song: Piece of Mind

10 Essential Curved Air Songs

 

# 50 – Faust

Debut Album: Faust (1971)

Essential Album: Faust So Far (1972)

Essential Song: “Jennifer”

10 Essential Faust Songs List

 

# 49 – Fates Warning

Debut Album: Night on Bröcken (1984)

Essential Album: No Exit (1988)

Essential Song: Guardian

10 Essential Fates Warning Songs

# 48 – David Gilmour

Debut Solo Album: David Gilmour (1978)

Essential Album: About Face (1984)

Essential Solo Song: There’s No Way Out of Here

10 Essential David Gilmour Songs

 

# 47 – Wishbone Ash

Debut Solo Album: Wishbone Ash (1970)

Essential Album: Argus (1972)

Essential Solo Song: Blowin’ Free

10 Essential Wishbone Ash Songs

 

# 46 – IQ

Debut Album: Tales from the Lush Attic (1983)

Essential Album: The Wake

Essential Song: The Seventh House

10 Essential IQ Songs

 

# 45 – Big Big Train

Debut Album: Goodbye to the Age of Steam (1994)

Essential Album: The Underfall Yard (2009)

Essential Song: East Coast Racer

10 Essential Big Big Train Songs

 

# 44- Colosseum

Debut Album: Those Who Are About to Die Salute You (1969)

Essential Album: Valentyne Suite  (1969)

Essential Song: Lost Angeles

10 Essential Colosseum Songs

 

# 43- Asia

Debut Album: Asia (1982)

Essential Album: Asia (1982)

Essential Song: Heat Of The Moment

10 Essential Asia Songs

 

# 42- Steve Howe

Debut Solo Album: Beginnings (1975)

Essential Album: Steve Howe Album (1979)

Essential Song: Turbulence

10 Essential Steve Howe Songs

 

# 41- Coheed and Cambria

Debut Album: The Second Stage Turbine Blade (2002)

Essential Album: The Afterman: Ascension (2005)

Essential Song: In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3

10 Essential Coheed and Cambria Songs

 

# 40- Deep Purple

Debut Album: Shades of Deep Purple (1968)

Essential Album: Machine Head (1972)

Essential Song: Smoke On The Water

10 Essential Deep Purple Songs

 

# 39- Todd Rundgren and Utopia

Debut Album: Runt (1970)

Essential Album: Something/Anything? (1972)

Essential Song: Hello It’s Me

10 Essential Todd Rundgren Songs

 

# 38 – Strawbs

Debut Album: Strawbs (1969)

Essential Album: Hero and Heroine

Essential Song: ” Part of the Union

10 Essential Strawbs Songs

 

# 37 – Keith Emerson & The Nice

Debut Album: The Thoughts of Emerlist Davjack (1967)

Essential Album: Elegy (1971)

Essential Song: America

10 Essential Songs by The Nice

 

# 36- Nektar

Debut Album: Journey to the Centre of the Eye (1971)

Essential Album: A Tab In The Ocean (1972)

Essential Song: A Tab In The Ocean 

10 Essential Nektar Songs

 

# 35 – Queensryche

Debut Album: The Warning (1984)

Essential Album:Operation: Mindcrime (1988)

Essential Song: Empire

10 Essential Queensryche Songs

 

# 34 – Can

Debut Album: Monster Movie (1969)

Essential Album: Tago Mago (1971)

Essential Song: Vitamin C

10 Essential Can Songs

 

# 33- Jethro Tull

Debut Album: This Was (1968)

Essential Album: Aqualung (1971)

Essential Song: Locomotive Breath

10 Essential Jethro Tull Songs

 

# 32 – Kate Bush

Debut album – The Kick Inside (1978)

Essential Album: Hounds Of Love (1985)

Essential Song: Cloudbusting

10 Essential Kate Bush Songs

 

# 31 – Muse

Debut Album: Showbiz (1999)

Essential Album: Black Holes and Revelations

Essential Song: Supermassive Black Hole

10 Essential Muse Songs

 

# 30 – Tool

Debut album: Undertow 1993

Essential Album: Lateralus

Essential Song: Sober

10 Essential Tool Songs

 

# 29 – Roger Waters

Debut Solo Album: The Pros and Cons of Hitch Hiking (1984)

Essential Solo Album: Amused to Death 

Essential Song: Go Fishing

10 Essential Roger Waters Songs

 

# 28 – Hawkwind

Debut Album: Hawkwind (1970)

Essential Album: Warrior on the Edge of Time (1975)

Essential Song: Silver Machine

10 Essential Hawkwind Songs

 

# 27- Kraftwerk

Debut Album: Kraftwerk (1970)

Essential Album: Autobhan (1974)

Essential Song: Tour De France

10 Essential Kraftwerk Songs

 

# 26 – Allan Holdsworth

Debut Solo Album: Velvet Darkness (1976)  

Essential Album: Metal Fatigue

Essential Song: Devil Take the Hindmost

10 Essential Allan Holdsworth Songs

 

# 25 – Magnum

Debut Album: Kingdom of Madness  (1978)

Essential Album: Wings Of Heaven (1988)

Essential Song: Don’t Wake The Lion

 

 

# 24 – Steven Wilson

Debut Solo Album: Insurgentes (2008)

Essential Album: The Raven That Refused to Sing (And Other Stories) (2013)

Essential Song: Routine

10 Essential Steven Wilson Songs

 

# 23 – Peter Gabriel

Debut Solo Album: Peter Gabriel (1977)

Essential Album: SO (1986)

Essential Song: Sledgehammer

10 Essential Peter Gabriel Songs

 

# 22 – Procol Harum

Debut Album: Procol Harum (1969)

Essential Album: Grand Hotel (1973)

Essential Song: Whiter Shade Of Pale

10 Essential Procol Harum Songs

 

# 21- Renaissance

Debut Album: Renaissance (1969)

Essential Album: A Song For All Seasons (1978)

Essential Song: Carpet of the Sun

10 Essential Renaissance Songs

 

# 20 – Van der Graaf Generator

Debut album: The Aerosol Grey Machine (1969)

Essential Album: The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other (1970)

Essential Song: The Sleepwalkers

10 Essential Van der Graaf Generator Songs

 

# 19 – Gong

Debut album: Magick Brother (1970)

Essential Album: Flying Teapot (1973)

Essential Song: Master Builder

10 Essential Gong Songs

 

# 18 – Gentle Giant

Debut album: Gentle Giant (1970)

Essential Album: Octopus (1972)

Essential Song: The Advent of Panurge

10 Essential Gentle Giant Songs

 

# 17 – Caravan

Debut album: Caravan (1969)

Essential Album: In The Land Of Grey and Pink (1971)

Essential Song: Nine Feet Underground

10 Essential Caravan Songs

 

# 16- Rush

Debut album: Rush (1974)

Essential Album: Moving Pictures (1981)

Essential Song: 2112

10 Essential Rush Songs

 

# 15 – Mahavishnu Orchestra

Debut album: The Inner Mounting Flame (1971)

Essential Album: Apocalypse 

Essential Song: The Noonward Race

10 Essential Mahavishnu Orchestra Songs

 

# 14 – Camel

Debut album: Camel (1973)

Essential Album: The Snow Goose (1975)

Essential Song: The White Rider

10 Essential Camel Songs

 

# 13 – Marillion

Debut album: Script for a Jester’s Tear (1983)

Essential Album: Misplaced Childhood (1985)

Essential Song: Kayleigh

10 Essential Marillion Songs

 

# 12 – Soft Machine

Debut album: The Soft Machine (1968)

Essential Album: Third (1970)

Essential Song: Moon In June

10 Essential Soft Machine Songs

 

# 11 – Alan Parsons Project

Debut album: Tales of Mystery and Imagination (1976)

Essential Album: I Robot (1977)

Essential Song: Eye in the Sky

10 Essential Alan Parsons Project Songs

 

# 10 – Dream Theater

Debut album: When Dream and Day Unite (1989)

Essential Album: Images and Words (1992)

Essential Song: Metropolis—Part I: ‘The Miracle and the Sleeper

10 Essential Dream Theater Songs

 

# 9 – Kansas

Debut album: Kansas (1974)

Essential Album: Leftoverture (1976)

Essential Song: Carry On Wayward Son

10 Essential Kansas Songs

 

# 8 – Porcupine Tree

Debut album: On the Sunday of Life… (1992)

Essential Album: Lightbulb Sun (1992)

Essential Song: Anesthetize

10 Essential Porcupine Tree Songs

 

# 7 – The Moody Blues

Debut album: The Magnificent Moodies (1965)

Essential Album: Days of Future Passed (1967)

Essential Song: Question

10 Essential Moody Blues Songs

 

# 6 – Frank Zappa

Debut album: Freak Out! (1966)

Essential Album: One Size Fits All

Essential Song: “Inca Roads.”

Essential Frank Zappa Songs

 

# 5 – King Crimson

Debut album: In the Court of the Crimson King (1969)

Essential Album: Red

Essential Song: The Court of the Crimson King

10 Essential King Crimson Songs

 

# 4 – Emerson Lake & Palmer

There have been power trios in rock, but nothing like Emerson Lake & Palmer. This is Keith Emerson’s second appearance and Greg Lake’s third appearance on this Reader’s Top 100 Progressive Rock Bands and Artists of All Time.

Debut album: Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970)

Essential Album: Brain Salad Surgery

Essential Song: “Karn Evil 9: 1st Impression—Part 2”

10 Essential Emerson Lake & Palmer Songs

 

# 3 – Pink Floyd

Most people argued for Pink Floyd. However there were just a couple who argued against them. Nonetheless, most fans realize know how important they were in Progressive Rock history.

Debut album: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn (1967)

Essential Album: Dark Side Of The Moon

Essential Song: Us and Them

10 Essential Pink Floyd Songs 

 

# 2 – Genesis

When we listed the Genesis Peter Gabriel Era in our Top 10 Progressive Rock Bands list, the Steve Hackett fans went crazy over the fact that we did not specify that Hackett had continued on for two more albums after Peter Gabriel left. We also got some emails form angry Phil Collins fans saying he has been underappreciated in the band. So, in the end we are just listing Genesis as a whole in the number three spot based on the amount of people who argued they should be at the top of the list.

Debut album: From Genesis to Revelation (1969)

Essential Album: The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway

Essential Song: “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway.”

10 Essential Genesis Songs

# 1 – Yes

Not one person argued against our choice of Yes as the number one progressive rock band of all time in our top 10 Progressive rock bands list. Furthermore, most people who commented on the list and sent us emails all chose Yes. They were the only band in which there was a complete agreement in their legacy and importance to rock and roll history. So why oh why did it take them so long to be inducted into the rock and roll hall of fame? One thing is certain, if it were real rock and roll fans voting, Yes would have been inducted in the first couple of years.

Debut album: Yes (1969)

Essential Album: Tales From Topographic Oceans (1973)

Essential Song: “Close to the Edge”

10 Essential Yes Songs

Other interesting Yes articles….

Top 10 Yes Album Covers

Why its time to put Yes into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

 

Classic Rock History’s Staff Picks:

We let the readers have their say in choosing 100 of their favorite Progressive Rock bands and artists. It was a great amount of work tabulating their votes in creating that list. We spent three months collecting emails, and comments on our Facebook Page. It was easily one of the most enjoyable projects we have ever embarked on here at ClassicRockHistory.com.

Staff writer Emily Fagen thought it would be fun and interesting to create a staff list of picks to compare to the reader’s list. Our original Top 10 Progressive Rock Band list did not take into account individual artists like our reader’s list did. We also felt that the reader’s list left out some key Progressive Rock bands that we think should be always be mentioned whenever the term best Progressive Rock bands or Artists is written. This is a list that is more cumulative than ranked, so please don’t feel that a band we listed at 173 is less important than a band listed at 160. The list is a mix of the favorites of the writers here at the site, and in many ways represents what we believe are great Progressive Rock bands and Artists who define the genre or at least demonstrated a few times in their careers an experimentation in Progressive Rock Concepts. Thanks so much for taking the time to read the article and getting this far

# 200 – Gilgamesh

# 199 – Flash

# 198 – Druid

# 197 – Meshuggah

# 196 – High Tide

# 195 – Gryphon

# 194 – Flash

# 193 – Stormu

# 192 – Yamashta’s East Wind

# 191 – Greenslade

# 190 – Khan

# 189 – Riverside

# 188 – Mostly Autumn

# 187 – John Tabacco

# 186 – Abigail’s Ghost

# 184 – Opus 5

# 183 – Guru Guru

# 182 – Radio Moscow

# 181 – The Flying Luttenbachers

# 180 – Harmonium

# 179 – Big Wreck

# 178 – Grobschnitt

# 177 – Spartacus

# 176 – Cario

# 175 – Happy The Man

# 174 – Kostarev Group

# 173 – The Doors

# 172 – Amon Duul II

# 171 – Kalutaliksuak

# 170 – Birdsongs of the Mesozoic

# 169 – Styx

# 168 – Art Bears

# 167 – Premiata Forneria Marconi

# 166 – Fleshgod Apocalypse

# 165 – Vintersorg

# 164 – A Perfect Circle

# 163 – Florence and the Machine

# 162 – Nightingale

# 161 – Magellen

# 160 – Evergrey

# 159 – Karmakanic

# 158 – Violent Silence

# 157 – Royal Blood

# 156 – Delirium

# 155 – Transatlantic

# 154 – II Baletto Di Bronzo

# 153 – Rpwl

# 152 – Triumvirat

# 151 – Liquid Tension Experiment

# 150 – La Maschera di Cera

# 149 – Witherscape

# 148 – Landberk

# 147 – Pvris

# 146 – Krokodil

# 145 – Phideaux

# 144 – Sleepytime Gorilla Museum

# 143 – Accordo dei Contrari

# 142 – Andy Pratt

# 141 – Alice Cooper

# 140 – Dio

# 139 – Amorphis

# 138 – Mountain

# 137 – Le Orme

# 136 – Meshuggah

# 135 – Von Hertzen Brothers

# 134 – Radiohead

# 133 – Counter-World Experience

# 132 – Miles Davis

# 131 – Hidria Spacefolk

# 130 – Garybaldi 

# 129 – Andromeda

# 128 – On the Virg

# 127 – Glass Hammer

# 126 – The Who

# 125 – Therion

# 124 – System Of A Down

# 123 – Joy Division

# 122 – Procol Harum

# 121 – Adrien Belew

# 120 – Meat Loaf

# 119 – Morglbl

# 118 – Epica

# 117 – The Pixies

# 116 – Rage Against The Machine

# 115 – Ange

# 114 – Eloy

# 113 – Kate Bush

# 112 – Deep Purple 

# 111 – The Rolling Stones

# 110 – The Beatles

# 109 – Pain of Salvation

# 108 – U.K.

# 107 – Cardiacs

# 106 – Banco del Mutuo Soccorso

# 105 – The Allman Brothers Band

# 104 – Moon Safari

# 103 – Haken

# 102 – Wishbone Ash

# 101 – Mostly Autumn

# 100 – Jean-Luc Ponty

# 99 – Richard Pinhas

# 98 – John Wetton

# 97 – Jeff Beck

# 96 – Tangerine Dream

# 95 – The Dixie Dregs

# 94 – Steve Vai

# 93 – Neal Morse

# 92 – Gong

# 91 – Muse

# 90 – Peter Hammill

# 89 – The Decemberists

# 88 – Coheed and Cambria

# 87 – Pallas

# 86 – Queen

# 85 – Beardfish

# 84 – Enchant

# 83 – Soft Heap

# 82 – Osanna

# 80 – Area

# 79 – Solstice

# 78 – Anekdoten

# 77 – Faust

# 76 – Steve Howe

# 75 – Kraftwerk

# 74 – David Gilmour

# 73 – Big Big Train

# 72 – Curved Air

# 71 – Ozric Tentacles

# 70 – Led Zeppelin

# 69 – Van der Graaf Generator

# 68 – Anathema

# 67 – Barclay James Harvest

# 66 – Echolyn

# 65 – Steve Hillage

# 64 – Uriah Heep

# 63 – The New Trolls

# 62 – The Flower Kings

# 61 – Bloodrock

# 60 – Twelfth Night

# 59 – The Mars Volta

# 58 – Roxy Music

# 57 – Pendragon

# 56 – Focus

# 55 – Riverside

# 54 – Hatfield and the North

# 53 – Saga

# 52 – Rick Wakeman

# 51 – Robert Fripp

# 50 – The Enid

# 49 – Colosseum

# 48 – Soft Machine

# 47 – Roger Waters

# 46 – Fates Warning

# 45 – Magma

# 44 – Opeth

# 43 – Spock’s Beard

# 42 – Spirogyra

# 41 – Asia

# 40 – Marillion

# 39 – Hawkwind

# 38 – Queensryche

# 37 – Strawbs

# 36 – Magna Carter

# 35 – Henry Cow

# 34 – Keith Emerson and The Nice

# 33 – Can

# 32 – Electric Light Orchestra

# 31 – Mahavishnu Orchestra

# 30 – Peter Gabriel

# 29 – Alan Parsons Project

# 28 – Atomic Rooster

# 27 – Nektar

# 26 – IQ

# 25 – Porcupine Tree

# 24 – Brian Eno

# 23 – Frupp

# 22 – Gong

# 21 – Pavlov’s Dog

# 20 – Utopia

# 19 – Caravan

# 18 – Camel

# 17 – Rush

# 16 – Dream Theater

# 15 – Steve Hackett

# 14 – Gentle Giant

# 13 – Jethro Tull

# 12 – Kansas

# 11 – Renaissance

# 10 – The Moody Blues

# 9 – Steven Wilson

# 8 – Allan Holdsworth

# 6 – King Crimson

# 5 – Pink Floyd

# 4 – Genesis

# 3 – Emerson Lake & Palmer

# 2 – Yes

# 1 – Frank Zappa

Special thank to our great staff of writers who contributed to this article and all the linked top 10 lists associated with these bands

Brian Kay – Editor In Chief