Latte E Miele |
1971 |
Classically-inspired prog trio from Genoa. |
Italy |
Lard Free |
1970 |
Founded by drummer Gilbert Artman, Lard Free was similar to Richard Pinhas' Heldon; French, unconventional, experimental, but, incredulously, a rock band. Later albums would draw parallels to the cosmic side of the... |
France |
Lake, Greg |
1947 |
Singer and bassist for King Crimson MK 1, and then on to prog supergroup Emerson Lake & Palmer. Incredibly sappy solo albums defy description. |
United Kingdom |
La Düsseldorf |
1975 |
Brothers Klaus und Thomas Dinger, along with Hans Lampe founded La Düsseldorf following the dissolution of Neu!. There records were highly successful in their native Germany, reputedly selling over a million copies. |
Germany |
Kristina, Sonja |
1949 |
Sonja Kristina got her start singing in the musical Hair before joining Curved Air. She was also married to Stewart Copeland of the Police. |
United Kingdom |
Kravetz, Jean-Jacques |
1947 |
Keyboard player for Frumpy, Atlantis, Randy Pie and more. |
France |
Kraftwerk |
1970 |
From early free-form improvisation to the perfection of electro-pop, Kraftwerk reign as one of the most musically influential groups from the 70s. However, the Ralf & Florian and Autobahn era should appeal to most... |
Germany |
Kraan |
1970 |
Happiest band from Germany. When will the "jam band" audience find them? |
Germany |
Kornelyans |
1971 |
Kornelyans, aka Korni Gruppa, a singles band from Yugoslavia, was led by its namesake, Kornell Kovach (Kornelije Kovač). In 1974 they recorded and released an excellent album of prog rock for the Italian Ricordi label. |
Yugoslavia |
Koobas |
1962 |
Originally called The Kubas, the band had its same roots in Liverpool. They spent time in Germany, and toured with The Beatles in the UK. Despite high profile appearances (The Who, Jimi Hendrix), their singles never... |
United Kingdom |
Kluster |
1969 |
As Kluster, Conrad Schnitzler and Hans-Joachim Roedelius, were pioneers of sound from a slightly older generation, using traditional instruments in the most untraditional ways to craft their art. They founded the Zodiac... |
Germany |
Kingdom Come |
1971 |
Arthur Brown's post-Crazy World band. Third album made early use of drum machines. |
United Kingdom |
King Crimson |
1968 |
From their debut album and striking cover art, constantly shuffling lineup, groundbreaking music, never-say-die reformations, no band epitomizes the "British prog" ethos better than King Crimson. |
United Kingdom |
Kin Ping Meh |
1969 |
Hailing from Mannheim, heavy progressives Kin Ping Meh first few albums were produced by Achim Reichel for his Zebra Records. |
Germany |
Khan |
1971 |
Steve Hillage's first group following his completion of studies at Canterbury. Second incarnation with Dave Stewart never recorded (he guested on their only record). |
United Kingdom |
Kayak |
1972 |
|
Netherlands |
Kansas |
1972 |
Kansas' legacy is undoubtedly as America's greatest progressive rock band, and their oeuvre would become the blueprint for a new breed of prog-metal bands that emerged in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. |
United States |
Kaipa |
1973 |
Named after a Swedish stone age chieftain, Kaipa were founded by keyboardist Hans Lundsun and bassit Tomas Eriksson in 1973. Guitarist Roine Stolt, though only a teenager at the time, was an original member. |
Sweden |
July |
1968 |
Notable for members Tom Newman (producer), and John Field and Tony Duhig, both later in Jade Warrior. |
United Kingdom |
Jon & Vangelis |
1979 |
Along with a US Top 50, the single "I Hear You Now" rose to the UK Top 10, propelling Jon & Vangelis' first album to a UK No 4. The duo - balancing successful solo careers simultaneously - would continue their... |
United Kingdom |
Jobson, Eddie |
1955 |
Violinist and journeyman, Eddie Jobson has one of the longer resumes in prog rock. |
United Kingdom |
Jethro Tull |
1967 |
Led by Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull was the first group from the progressive era to score resounding chart success. Originally their music was based in rhythm and blues, but punctuated with Anderson's flute playing and... |
United Kingdom |
Jarre, Jean Michel |
1948 |
French synthesist, popular |
France |
Jane |
1970 |
One of Germany's most idiosyncratic rock bands, the slow burn rock of Jane remained a constant through most of their career. |
Germany |
Jade Warrior |
1968 |
One of the most original of the British progressives, Jade Warrior were one of the first bands to incorporate "world" elements into their unique sound. |
United Kingdom |
Jackson Heights |
1970 |
Lee Jackson's post-Nice, pre-Refugee band. |
United Kingdom |
Jack Lancaster And Robin Lumley |
1976 |
A precursor to Brand X |
United Kingdom |
Isotope |
1972 |
Gary Boyle's jazz-rock fusion band. |
United Kingdom |
Island |
1977 |
British-influenced prog rock band from Switzerland released one fantastic album, produced by Claudio Fabi. |
Switzerland |
Invisible Opera Company Of Tibet (Tropical Version Brazil) |
1993 |
Brazilian version, led by guitarist Fabio Golfetti, with Renato Mello on keyboards and Claudio Souza on drums. See Violeta De Outno |
Brasil |
Inner City Unit |
1979 |
"Punkadelic acid rockers"? Musically defying all description, Inner City Unit remains one of the most unique offshots to the Hawkwind family tree. Founded by Hawkwind's Nik Turner, ICU combined the talents of Dead Fred... |
United Kingdom |
Incredible String Band, The |
1966 |
Fronted by Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, The Incredible String Band were one of the earliest folk bands to incorporate psychedelic music into their sound. Massively influential, the band were a major live attraction. |
United Kingdom |
Illusion |
1976 |
Mark I Renaissance reformed in the mid-70s for a couple of albums. |
United Kingdom |
Ikarus |
1971 |
Hamburg band led by Jochen Petersen released one album of superb progressive rock. |
Germany |
Ibliss |
1971 |
Former Organisation member Basil Hammoudi and one-time Kraftwerk drummer Andreas Hohmann formed this group, who under the tutelage of Conny Plank, released one album before calling it quits. |
Germany |
Ibis |
1974 |
Another off-shoot of the New Trolls. |
Italy |
Hudson Ford |
1973 |
Former Strawbs members had a string of hits in the mid 70s, before emigrating to Canada. |
United Kingdom |
Howe, Steve |
1947 |
Steve Howe, guitarist for Tomorrow, Bodast, Yes, Asia and GTR. Guitar Player magazine vote him "Best Guitarist" for five years in a row in the late 70s. |
United Kingdom |
Holdsworth, Allan |
1946 |
One of the progressive era's most recognizable guitarists, Allan Holdsworth has had a journeyman's career in the music world. During the 70s, he played for Igginbottom, Sunship, Nucleus, Tempest, Gong, The New Tony... |
United Kingdom |
Hoenig, Michael |
1952 |
Michael Hoenig was a founding member of Agitation Free. He also filled in for Peter Baumann in Tangerine Dream in 1975. |
Germany |
Hoelderlin |
1970 |
One of the most under-rated groups of the progressive era, Hoelderlin's albums rival the best from the United Kingdom. The core of Hoelderlin's albums were released on CD by EMI in 2007. |
Germany |
Hodgson, Roger |
1950 |
Co-founder and author of most of Supertramp's hits, Roger Hodgson left the band in 1983 for a sporadic solo career. |
United Kingdom |
Hillage, Steve |
1951 |
A mainstay in the progressive scene, Steve Hillage's earliest work goes back to the Middle Earth club in the late 60s with Arzachel, playing alongside bands like Pink Floyd and Tomorrow. After a break to attend... |
United Kingdom |
High Tide |
1969 |
From the onset, High Tide garnered attention; the band had a publishing deal with Apple Corps and was managed by Doug Smith's Clearmountain Productions. Their two albums on Liberty/United Artists are undisputed classic... |
United Kingdom |
Here & Now |
1974 |
Cutting their teeth in Ladbroke Grove and on the UK's free festival circuit, Here & Now gained notoriety for their collaboration with Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth of Gong. |
United Kingdom |
Hensley, Ken |
1945 |
Keyboardist, guitarist, and songwriter of Uriah Heep. |
United Kingdom |
Henry Cow |
1968 |
|
United Kingdom |
Heldon |
1973 |
Premiere french underground band, founded by Richard Pinhas |
France |
Heckstall-Smith, Dick |
1934 |
One of England's early jazz-rock luminaries, Dick Heckstall-Smith work included Blues Incorporated, Graham Bond Organisation, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Colosseum. Phew! |
United Kingdom |
Hawkwind |
1969 |
Combining a driving rhythm, early electronics and sci-fi imagery, Hawkwind lay claim to being the ultimate space rock band. Coming from the underground scene in London's Ladbroke Grove, their success during the 70s -... |
United Kingdom |