Progressive music, better known as “Prog Rock”, most popular as a musical genre in the 1970s, is finally to be officially acknowledged by the Official Charts Company (OCC), with its own chart starting next week.

The publication of the very first monthly Official Progressive Albums Chart Top 30 will feature classic old school prog bands such as Pink Floyd alongside 21st Century rock acts like Tame Impala.

Prog Rock was much maligned for many years as being bloated, egotistical and self indulgent – the Record Press author could be describing himself!! :-)  In truth some Prog Rock music was self indulgent, self regarding, pretentious and excessive ( exemplified by Peter Gabriel’s flower and fox routine ), but certainly not all fell into that category by any means. Punk Rock and New Wave bands like the Sex Pistols, Stranglers and the Jam were created as a reaction to the pomposity of the Prog Rock movement.

These working class punk bands were rebelling in defiance of the establishment ( literally old school ), as most Prog Rock bands were represented by ex public school boys, notably Genesis ( Charterhouse School) and Pink Floyd ( Perse School, Cambridge ). In reality 1977 saw the music equivalent of the French Revolution, with the pompous, privileged Prog Rock aristocrats rounded up and executed at the guillotine by the rowdy, rebellious Punk Rock peasantry.

However the late Sid Vicious, formerly of the Sex Pistols, will be turning in his grave, because although Prog Rock never went away, it is “officially” back with its own formal chart. Martin Talbot of the Official Charts Company explained to the BBC: “We felt it was an oversight not to have done this a long time ago. Progressive music is as alive and kicking as it’s ever been. It’s more a state of mind than a genre.”

The announcement of the chart coincides with the annual Progressive Music Awards, at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London tonight. Among those being honoured is founder member of Genesis Tony Banks, who will receive the 2015 Prog God Award.

Rick Wakeman of 1970s Prog Rock band Yes told the BBC that a chart dedicated to the progressive genre was long overdue: “It’s only 45 years too late, but better late than never.”……..Rick, some might say the Prog Rock chart is a tad premature – didn’t Rush predict in 1976 that it would arrive in 2112? :-) However we digress……..Rick Wakeman continued: “Prog rock is the healthiest it’s ever been… the standard of musicianship of young bands is overall way higher than the standard was back in the 1970s. It shows that wonderful wide spectrum that prog rock has got. It’s no longer something to be sneered at and looked down on. With so many bands taking bits and pieces from it its widely accepted as a genuine contributor to the modern music scene.”

Prog rock, which grew out of 1960s psychedelia pioneered by Procol Harum, was originally spearheaded in the 1970s by bands such as Pink Floyd, Rush, Genesis, Yes and King Crimson. It had a renaissance in the 1980s with bands like Marillion, while Muse, Radiohead, The Mars Volta and Porcupine Tree are among the best-known progressive acts of the 21st Century.

So let’s pay tribute to Prog Rock and celebrate its lasting contribution to music with this Top 10 Best 1970s Prog Rock Songs –

Top 10 Best 1970s Prog Rock Songs

1)  Pink Floyd – Shine On You Crazy Diamond ( 1975 )

2)  Genesis – Snowbound ( 1978 )

3)  Pink Floyd – Time ( 1973 )

4)  Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb ( 1979 )

5)  Yes – Close To The Edge ( 1972 )

6)  Genesis – Ripples ( 1976 )

7)  Procol Harum – Pandora’s Box ( 1975 )

8)  Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here ( 1975 )

9)  Yes – Wondrous Stories ( 1977 )

10)  Genesis – Supper’s Ready ( 1972 )

What’s your favourite Prog Rock song? Let us know in the Reply Box below.

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