1960s

One of Italy's first and finest progressive rock bands, featuring the talents of Aldo Tagliapietra, Michi Dei Rossi and Tony Pagliuca.

Founded: 1966

Location: Marghera, Venice, Italy

Website: Le Orme - official website

Perhaps Britian's finest psychedelic son, Pink Floyd became one of the world's premier rock bands by the end of the Seventies. Originally founded by acid casualty Syd Barrett, the Floyd rose to the top of the British Underground scene before guitarist Gilmour replaced an unpredictable Barret. However their extended instrumental jams, garnered further success, best trademarked by Gilmour's guitar and Water's songwriting. After the monumental "Dark Side Of The Moon" in 1973, the band released two more classics before the Water's-dominated "The Wall" in 1979, and eventual decay in the Eighties.

Founded: 1965

Location: Cambridge, England

Website: Pink Floyd Official Site

Procol Harum's formative years were in an R&B based band called the Paramounts. Named after producer Gary Steven's cat, Harum released their first single and to instant world-wide success. Immediately afterward, they reshuffled their line-up back to the formative one, and perservered through four more albums of sophisticated pop. After a series of personnel changes, the band continued into the late seventies with a degree of success in the US, though the UK proved more elusive

Founded: 1967

Location: Southend-On-Sea, Essex, England

Website: Procol Harum Beyond the Pale

Charisma label band that scored a hit with "Sympathy". In 1972, Mark Ashton and Graham Field left, and the band ditched the dual-keyboard format, recording three infinitely listenable albums for Polydor. Dave Kaffinetti is best known for his part in Spinal Tap.

Founded: 1969

Location: London, England

Website: The JupiterSpace Rare Bird Web Site