Why did prog rock never have mass popularity?

[prowla]

Moving Pictures was a quite accessible material to a wider audience. But Hemispheres on the other hand...

This guy explains the drumming on The Camera Eye; it's like a canned drum lesson!

 

[Max Blasto]

Disregard the general discussion here. You simply asked, "Who still listens to radio?" I answered your direct question about who still listens to radio? That is a whole subject separate from the thread it is embedded within, and perhaps, off-topic to the main thread.

Maybe it would be best if you create a new thread about who still listens to the radio?

Or perhaps it would be best if you stuck to the subject and weren't pedantic?

 

[MrClassicMetal]

They’re a psychedelic band that was mis-categorized. Nuance is a thing. Just accept it.

For some reason when I hear the term "prog" the first thing that comes to mind is odd rhythms and more intricate drumming. That's not what I associate Ringo Starr with.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

So, I guess we're ruling out any of John Cage's work???

Pardon my ignorance, but I am not familiar with John Cage.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I hate when people try this - neither is one thing, any more than "rock" is.

Jazz can be big band (more modern, like Maynard Ferguson, or traditional, like Duke/Mercer Ellington), an instrumental quartet playing standards, a vocalist doing a number of different things, fusion, bebop, etc.

Classical includes a Wagner opera, string quartet, orchestra, pops, chorale, etc.

Try what? you post doesn't make sense to me.

 

[buldog5151bass]

Try what? you post doesn't make sense to me.

Referring to jazz (or classical) as if it is a monolithic thing. That's like lumping "rock music" all in one pile.

 

[Neil Folkard]

Disregard the general discussion here. You simply asked, "Who still listens to radio?" I answered your direct question about who still listens to radio? That is a whole subject separate from the thread it is embedded within, and perhaps, off-topic to the main thread.

Maybe it would be best if you create a new thread about who still listens to the radio?

Off topic, but yes, I listen to radio too. I listen to a local jazz station and a local classical station at times around the house. I don't listen to any rock radio stations, though. Any music in rock or prog that I buy, I find through web sites and a network of like-minded friends.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Referring to jazz (or classical) as if it is a monolithic thing. That's like lumping "rock music" all in one pile.

I understand your point. Thanks. But I believe my original point is valid. Those genre groups are more complex music.

 

[Bighouse]

Video killed the radio star.

 

[WG Plum]

Just a data point, but taking Yes's Tales from Topographic Oceans, released in 1973 as an example of prog, here are the top albums from 1973.

 

[Bighouse]

Just so I’m clear on things, would a lot of Black Sabbath’s stuff like “Rat Salad” fall into the prog rock genre? I really need a Venn Diagram, without it things are just unclear to me.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I understand your point. Thanks. But I believe my original point is valid. Those genre groups are more complex music.

Again, not necessarily. A trio playing something like All Blues, or Autumn Leaves, or a less complex string quartet piece is hardly more complex than Rush playing La Villa Strantiago, Dream Theater playing The Dance of Eternity, or Yes playing Yours is No Disgrace.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Many years ago I played in a rock cover band (jethro tull. stones etc). I tried to turn the guitarist on to Gentle Giant. His response was that they sound like five musicians playing different songs at the same time. You either get it or you don't. And most people didn't get Giant and King Crimson

 

[tbz]

For some reason when I hear the term "prog" the first thing that comes to mind is odd rhythms and more intricate drumming. That's not what I associate Ringo Starr with.

You must be heavily misinterpreting my post then. Never said the Beatles were prog and by that definition you also agree Floyd wasn’t.

Since Floyd lacks intricate drumming entirely and they have at best a handful of songs that are intentionally odd meter.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

You must be heavily misinterpreting my post then. Never said the Beatles were prog and by that definition you also agree Floyd wasn’t.

Since Floyd lacks intricate drumming entirely and they have at best a handful of songs that are intentionally odd meter.

Well actually I was agreeing with you....

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Again, not necessarily. A trio playing something like All Blues, or Autumn Leaves, or a less complex string quartet piece is hardly more complex than Rush playing La Villa Strantiago, Dream Theater playing The Dance of Eternity, or Yes playing Yours is No Disgrace.

Sorry, but you're not understanding me.
I would include all those you list in the complex category with classical and jazz.
What I am saying is Pink Floyd would be included, but ZZ Top would not. I don't think you'd find any country that would be include in the complex category.

 

[Bighouse]

Sorry, but you're not understanding me....I don't think you'd find any country that would be include in the complex category.

What about bluegrass? I've heard some very complex bluegrass music, full of improvisation.

 

[MrLenny1]

The average listener can't follow it.

 

[tbz]

Well actually I was agreeing with you....

I apologize for misinterpreting then. Most of the responses I’ve gotten were a bit less agreeable, so I’m probably a bit biased in my interpretation of any replies.

 

[MrClassicMetal]

I apologize for misinterpreting then. Most of the responses I’ve gotten were a bit less agreeable, so I’m probably a bit biased in my interpretation of any replies.

No worries, it's all good. By the way, I think Pink Floyd is more art rock rather than prog.