Why did prog rock never have mass popularity?

[rashrader]

Can’t say that I understand…. Even in the 80’s, lots of Prog artists were having extremely successful careers. Peter Gabriel? How many Millions of copies of So and Us has he sold?

Honestly, I don’t think you need to sound like Brittany Spears to be successful. Look at Porcupine Tree.

 

[Mickey666]

By 'some of the time' I mean that in prog's heyday, often one or more channels weren't showing anything.

IIRC, BBC 1 usually had programs on most of the time( top of the pops, old grey whistle test, etc.), BBC 2 &ATV were mostly on weeknights in the evening. I could be miss remembering things, it was the 60's and I've done a lot of miles since then.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

IIRC, BBC 1 usually had programs on most of the time( top of the pops, old grey whistle test, etc.), BBC 2 &ATV were mostly on weeknights in the evening. I could be miss remembering things, it was the 60's and I've done a lot of miles since then.

I meant more on a summer weekday afternoon BBC 2 would be showing the test card, BBC 1 a test match and ITV a cookery programme. So you might as well be listening to the radio

 

[LBS-bass]

I'm not talking polyrhythms like Discipline - era King Crimson, but the 5/19th of a semi-quaver early some authentic pieces require.

I have those problems with microtonal stuff. I was briefly in a World Music band with a player who tried very hard to play that stuff authentically and I could not wrap my head around what she was doing. Maybe it was because only one player was going there and the rest of us were playing fretted instruments that were tied to western tunings. But whatever she played just sounded scratchy and wrong. I can listen to middle eastern music and not walk away thinking it sounded awful, so possibly our questionable instrumentation was the issue.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

I have those problems with microtonal stuff. I was briefly in a World Music band with a player who tried very hard to play that stuff authentically and I could not wrap my head around what she was doing. Maybe it was because only one player was going there and the rest of us were playing fretted instruments that were tied to western tunings. But whatever she played just sounded scratchy and wrong. I can listen to middle eastern music and not walk away thinking it sounded awful, so possibly our questionable instrumentation was the issue.

I've done microtonal, in the sense that I have a fretless.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I've done microtonal, in the sense that I have a fretless.

Yes, fretless opens up lots of musical possibilities. Percy Jones was my first fretless influence.

 

[Jeff Scott]

One of our wackier songs.

 

[ElectroVibe]

composer Andrew Rudin once wrote "Great Art, almost by its very nature, is something of an elitist enterprise because it is all but impossible for truly big ideas to be put forward in terms that the least equipped or curious listener will get."

...which is essentially saying that most people aren't even capable of "thinking" enough to enjoy all but the most pedestrian music.

That sounds so arrogant. I don't think of progressive rock like that. It's more positive.

 

[ElectroVibe]

It seems the critics adored The Ramones and couldn't stand Yes?
But The Ramones never had mass popularity either.

Critics have never been very forward thinking.

 

[58kites]

That sounds so arrogant. I don't think of progressive rock like that. It's more positive.

Lots of guys here think of Prog Rock in a pretty arrogant way.
Just ask them why many females feel the way they do about Prog.
Lots of boys/men who like Prog think they are in some superior club.
Somebody here mentioned a few pages back how musicians like Prog rock because they can "understand it".

 

[ElectroVibe]

One reason people might not think it was ever popular is because certain bands like King Crimson have endured for so long among diehard fans while never having huge commercial success.

 

[Bighouse]

One reason people might not think it was ever popular is because certain bands like King Crimson have endured for so long among diehard fans while never having huge commercial success.

One of my favorite bands is often credited with being very influential, are great musicians and songwriters, but have never seen great commercial success. I’m talking about King’s X. It happens.

 

[N4860]

One of my favorite bands is often credited with being very influential, are great musicians and songwriters, but have never seen great commercial success. I’m talking about King’s X. It happens.

King's X had a good run, and much more successful than any average band. They were never topping the chart but I'd guess most bands would be more than happy with the success that they had.

 

[Bighouse]

King's X had a good run, and much more successful than any average band. They were never topping the chart but I'd guess most bands would be more than happy with the success that they had.

I guess they did alright and had a good run, but they’re still around, touring and making music. Ty Tabor has had some kind of health issue that forced them to cancel some events- hopefully he heals and is able to return to the stage and studio.
Just to keep it bass-related, Dug Pinnick has his own effects pedal:
[URL="https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DP3X--tech-21-dug-pinnick-signature-bass-distortion-pedal"]Tech 21 dUg Pinnick Signature Bass Distortion Pedal
[/URL]

 

[Neil Folkard]

King's X had a good run, and much more successful than any average band. They were never topping the chart but I'd guess most bands would be more than happy with the success that they had.

Although they've long since come to terms with it, they themselves weren't happy with their lack of big success.

 

[Bighouse]

They probably could have been more commercially successful if they weren’t so influenced by progressive rock and hung out/toured/played with bands like Dream Theater and The Galactic Cowboys. (Think I managed to bring it back on topic, right?)

 

[ElectroVibe]

I don't know if I could call myself a true prog rock fan if I only liked the popular stuff. I've even seen King's X live but I'm still not a fan.

But I love Rush.

 

[friskinator]

Can’t say that I understand…. Even in the 80’s, lots of Prog artists were having extremely successful careers. Peter Gabriel? How many Millions of copies of So and Us has he sold?

Honestly, I don’t think you need to sound like Brittany Spears to be successful. Look at Porcupine Tree.

The big songs on So were pop songs. I don't think anyone would call "Don't Give Up," "Sledgehammer" or "Big Time" prog.

 

[rashrader]

The big songs on So were pop songs. I don't think anyone would call "Don't Give Up," "Sledgehammer" or "Big Time" prog.

There is certainly no requirement for you to do so. Given the landscape of the 80’s music scene, I still find So and Us to be very progressive compared to the Pop Music of the time, but this is a contextual analysis and not one rooted in Presentism.

 

[CryingBass]

Back in Chicago around 68-72 you could hear Yes, King Crimson, ELP etc. on AM radio. Kids - look it up

Happy New Year guys - Times Progressing, eh?