(Prog Rock for short)

A genre of music (60's to current) who's heyday occurred in the 1970's. Known for blending various genres (most commonly jazz and classical) into Rock music, the genre "progresses" music to try to evolve it into something more engaging than simply something to dance or sing-a-long or jam to.

While arguable, the first Prog band is technically believed by Prog fans to be the Beatles. However, the first band to play in the current sense of the word was King Crimson.

Although most bands in the genre came from the UK, many came from the US (Frank Zappa / Dream Theatre), Canada (Rush), Germany (Van Der Graaf Generator), and more (Iceland - Sigur Ros).

Prog Rock and Metal are both considered to be "guy" bands, and contrary to popular belief, they are not meant to be listened to alone, rather it's just hard to find another prog fan near you these days.

A genre of music that combines forms of jazz and classical all under the umbrella of rock. Progressive rock is generally distinguished by its use of nonstandard timings, chords, keys, and effects, as well as utilizing other effects that are not generally found in popular music, like feedback.

A common misconception about progressive rock is that it's nothing more than music to listen to when you get stoned, which is not true. Sure, it may be considered trippy or psychedelic, but by no means was it written by or for stoners. In fact, the level of complexity in some progressive rock songs is surprising.

Another misconception of progressive rock is that it's just noise thrown together to sound vaguely like music. This is also not true, or for most bands at least.

Pink Floyd is generally considered to be the first and best progressive rock band of all time, and is defined by their career during the 70s. Their late-60s career is mostly classified as psychedelic rock, and their late-70s to mid-90s career is generally classified as plain old, uninspired rock, or just total crap.

Some other famous progressive rock bands include Radiohead (post-OK Computer) and Dream Theater.

A type of art that is enjoyed by both guys and girls which has long since been forgotten in the public mind since the total commercialization of all music in the 1980s. Further legitimized rock and roll by mixing it with elements of jazz and classical music. However, most progressive rock fans fail to recognize that at the core of all progressive rock is the blues.

Progressive rock was perfected in the 1970s by the Canterbury Scene musicians. Contrary to popular belief, bands such as Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Yes, Genesis, Rush and ELP are not the end-all, be-all of progressive rock.

Complicated Early-70s extension to Classic Rock.

Girls don't like it! Because:
1) They can't shake their booty to the 7/4 or 5/8 time signatures
2) They can't imagine listening to any Improvisations on Brahms by a long haired ugly hippie in the 70s
3) Why do we want girls to like it. Prog is for solitary listening