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Why did prog rock never have mass popularity?
- Thread starter MidnightRunner
- Start date
Prog did well in the 70s, though relative to other genres maybe not as much. In my opinion this is because:
1) not very attractive to female fans
2) songs tended to be longer and more musically complex, which leads to...
3) less radio airplay
4) it avoided the usual boy-loves-girl or lets-have-a-party songwriting content
1) not very attractive to female fans
2) songs tended to be longer and more musically complex, which leads to...
3) less radio airplay
4) it avoided the usual boy-loves-girl or lets-have-a-party songwriting content
OP: Prog actually is pretty popular. Example: Ghost. Phenomenal music, and the audiences run the gamut from 4 year olds up to 75 year olds, with a pretty even demographic split.
They were filling 7500 seat arenas back in September (my seven year old's first concert -- he loved it!)
I also saw Porcupine Tree the week before -- it was like the second coming of The Beatles to those in attendance.
They were filling 7500 seat arenas back in September (my seven year old's first concert -- he loved it!)
I also saw Porcupine Tree the week before -- it was like the second coming of The Beatles to those in attendance.
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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.
You're going to have to give examples. "Not good." early Genisis isn't my cup o' tea, but they were making an effort at creativity at least. I think they got better.
All we got otherwise here is inuendo and maybe ageism, because English prog did have it's time and place in the pre digital world, before I was out of the house, these guys are in their 70s now. They carry that stealey style Brits had before they got all weepy (see Cure & Smiths). Once upon a time every house in the land I entered had a copy of Yes, Fragile and In the Court Of The Crimson King. I lent my classical piano teacher lady "Lizard" by King Crimson and she loved it.
Prog has kept going under 100s of other guises and styles and all it means is Adventurist with music.
Mike Watt knows what I mean.
Because non-musicians aren't able to understand and get it.
Challenging melodies, harmonies, and time signatures scare some folks.
They feel if there's no dancers, it can't be music.
Challenging melodies, harmonies, and time signatures scare some folks.
They feel if there's no dancers, it can't be music.
The thing that is funny about Prog Rock is that a lot of fans of Prog Rock believe they are part of some elite club that the plebs can't rise to.
Musicians who are into Prog Rock often think that only musicians are into prog Rock.
The old "girls can't dance to it, so they don't like it" is an old standby that is an arrogant over simplification of why most boys and girls are not exactly the same (including training and indoctrination).
I love a lot of Prog Bands but I don't believe that makes me special.
Musicians who are into Prog Rock often think that only musicians are into prog Rock.
The old "girls can't dance to it, so they don't like it" is an old standby that is an arrogant over simplification of why most boys and girls are not exactly the same (including training and indoctrination).
I love a lot of Prog Bands but I don't believe that makes me special.
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buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Prog tends to be complex - obscure lyrics, complex melodies and rhythms. The singing often is not the primary thing. Same way simple familiar food will outsell outstanding, but obscure food.
The Beatles knew it best - lyrics about relationships, catchy lyrical/musical hooks.
The Beatles knew it best - lyrics about relationships, catchy lyrical/musical hooks.
Did anyone post this yet? In no ways a prog expert, never really my main interest, but I always think of this article when topic comes up:
The Persistence of Prog Rock
The Persistence of Prog Rock
There's an old adage that seems generally true: 5% of the people think; 10% of the people think that they think; and the remaining 85% of the people would rather die than think.
It seems the critics adored The Ramones and couldn't stand Yes?
But The Ramones never had mass popularity either.
Good points, but to be fair, they weren't filling stadiums when they were in their most proggy era. They only became really huge when they sold out/simplified their music (whatever your take may be).
I think Prog Rock was very popular in the mid-70's, but it didn't last very long for many reasons, but it also never went away. I think the popularity rose with the popularity of weed and LSD. Why did it fade so quickly
Transition from LSD to Cocaine as a popular drug?
Not sure which followed the other, lol
Back in the 80's I listened to all that stuff as well as what grew out of that with bands like Rush, Yes, Queensryche and maybe a couple of others.
Transition from LSD to Cocaine as a popular drug?
Not sure which followed the other, lol
Back in the 80's I listened to all that stuff as well as what grew out of that with bands like Rush, Yes, Queensryche and maybe a couple of others.
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