Who’s Afraid of Prog Rock? Inside The Maligned, And Much-Loved Genre

Progressive rock, that genre where where rock meets psychedelia meets jazz, had its heyday in the early 1970's with bands such as Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, and King Crimson. But the fact is, prog rock -- with its focus on complex time signatures, long instrumental solos, and lyrics about fairies and trolls -- became a kind of musical punch line by the '80s. And for many people, it has remained that way ever since.

A new book, called Yes Is The Answer: And Other Prog Rock Tales, takes a long and largely affectionate look at the big sounds and even bigger ambitions of progressive rock -- even as it continues to be “maligned and misunderstood.” 

We talk with the book's co-editor Tyson Cornell, musician Nathan Larson, of the band Shudder To Think, and the music writer Margaret Wappler. And we ask them to define prog rock. But what about you? How would you define prog rock? Tell us below!

Tyson Cornell's top three prog rock songs: