RollingStone.com picks the 10 greatest Prog Rock bands - guess who is #1

[LynneSin]

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/photos/readers-poll-the-best-prog-rock-bands-of-all-time-20110720/1-rush-0693524

Well, this poll wasn't even close. Rush won in a landslide – but this couldn't come as any surprise. The Canadian trio have perhaps the most intense and enthusiastic fan community in all of rock. The band deserves such commitment. While most of their peers have fallen apart due to greed or laziness, Rush has maintained the same line-up since 1975 and their concerts are as spellbinding as they ever were. It's also beyond dispute that Neil Peart is the greatest drummer on the planet. They just wrapped up an epic tour where they played Moving Pictures straight through, and are working on a new album. Here's hoping that they bust out 2112 the next time out. It's the only way to top that last tour.

:woohoo:


Now damnit, let them into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame thank you very much!

EDIT to include my favorite video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDRPtg0kmJU

[Tuesday Afternoon]

1. . they deserve it.

:toast:

[7wo7rees]

2. If they tour with 2112, I will be first in line.

Edited for unhealthy selfish wish to hurt people in doing so. Please forgive.

[LynneSin]

4. it's ok - we all get excited

I'll be there in Cleveland if they finally make the Hall of Fame

I'm wondering if this poll maybe is a precursor of things to come :loveya:

[freshwest]

3. Thanks for Closer to the Heart. It's been a while.

[TZ]

5. Despite the inevitable comments by the h8ers...

Rush probably has about the most loyal and considerably large fanbase in RR. Outside of the Stones, I can't think of any other group thats currently together that consistently draws so well over a pretty long period of time. Like them or hate them, one needs to acknowledge this.

[CBGLuthier]

6. Five outfits from this belong in that stupid hall of fame

King Crimson, Rush, Jethro Tull, ELP, and Yes. The fact those jerk offs from Genesis are in proves it is all about money and a pop sensibility to the so called hall of fame.

[TZ]

7. Its really the Pop Music Hall of Fame

Seems like radio play is what makes one eligible. I mean, Neil Diamond is in? How is he more of a Rock icon than Rush? I'd love to see Rush inducted but yeah, it seems like its not really about who is deserving.

[dawg]

9. It isn't even airplay?

Who got more airplay, the Sex Pistols or Yes? The Clash or Rush? Patti Smith or Jethro Tull?

No, it's all about the "cool kids" and the music they like.

[LynneSin]

22. I have to agree. I mean if it's the 'Rock and Roll' hall of fame - answer me this

How are groups/musicians like The Bee Gees, Jackson 5, Parliament, Michael Jackson, Prince, ABBA or Madonna qualify to be in this HOF. It's like inducting Michael Jordan and Johnny Bench into the NFL hall of fame. I mean they are all sports related but that's about it.

Personally I think the 'Rock and Roll' Hall of Fame should be renamed as the Modern Music Hall of Fame. It better identifies that it represents all genres of music (well all but Prog Rock) that came into existance sometime after the invention of the phonograph. That would differentiate between who is in there today and Classical Music. It would also justify many of the above bands that I listed for being in there.

Personally I think Johnny Rotten speaks for many of us....

[hifiguy]

14. King Crimson

Over the entire course of their on-again, off-again career, it is clear that no band has done more to stretch the boundaries of anything that can remotely be called "rock" than King Crimson. They are a singularity and a huge force in the music of the last 40+ years.

That said Rush's consistency and the band's enduring character certainly merit inclusion in the HoF.

Agreed on Tull, ELP and Yes. And I would add the great German band Can to that list. Can probably had a greater influence on more bands than anyone could possibly imagine. The public never heard them but I can tell you that musicians certainly did.

[LynneSin]

17. I'd like to know where The Moody Blues are?

I think they are an amazing Prog Rock band. "Days of Future Past" is an album that defines Symphonic Prog Rock.

[hifiguy]

18. Good point, Lynne.

The trajectory of their music is similar to Genesis, and the Moodies at their best were very nearly the equal of Genesis at their (Selling England/Lamb) best.

[LynneSin]

20. Only difference - Moody Blues didn't sell out to the Commercial pop crap gods

n/t

[LynneSin]

15. Here's a thought - if Pink Floyd never made "Dark Side of the Moon" or "The Wall"

would they be in the Commerical Pop Crap Hall of Fame (what I call that thing).

Don't get me wrong, Pink Floyd is extremely talented - so are the 5 bands you listed. But they evolved into a Prog Rock band for most of their albums. But since DSOTM and TW were such massive sellers (and amazing albums too) they couldn't overlook Pink Floyd.

But imagine a Pink Floyd band that never made DSOTM or TW. They would be overlooked too.

[av8rdave]

8. I missed them on this tour

My son and DIL saw the show, and said it was amazing.

One of the greatest bands ever.

[TZ]

11. I saw them twice on this tour

Amazing, just as good the second time as the first, too. I beleive the next tour will probably be a complete playing of the album they are working on now, "Clockwork Angels", which if the first two songs are any indication is going to be really really good..I love the steampunk concept.:)

[dawg]

10. Rush deserved to win this one.

I don't think they ever matched Yes, King Crimson, or Genesis when those bands were at their creative peaks. But they have stuck together as a band and have consistently made pretty good music for over 30 years without repeating themselves (too much). What other band can say that? I'm not familiar enough with Jethro Tull to be able to judge them against that standard, but certainly none of the other bands on that list has fared as well.

[flvegan]

12. Sort of like JAMA picking the 10 most popular STDs.

"OMG, I'm the best??!"
"Yeah, but you're still chlamydia."

[TZ]

13. .

That would make the Beastie Boys jock itch then...:P

[LynneSin]

16. you owe me a new monitor

Please send $200 payable to the Rush fan club

Thank you!

[AngryAmish]

19. Every second spent contemplating the RR Hall of Fame is a second wasted.

[KG]

29. this ^^

[Patiod]

21. Rush and Jimmy Buffett played Phila on the same night

Rush at the old Spectrum, Buffett at ballpark.

Ballpark lots were full, so we parked behind the Spectrum.

It was ridiculously easy to pick out who was heading to which concert:

Pale white guys in black tees: Rush
Somewhat tanner white guys in coconut bras: Buffett

[LynneSin]

23. I'd figured one crowd would be drunk off of tequila and the other group stoned

:rofl:

[MilesColtrane]

24. A best-of list without Gentle Giant is a bullshit list.

[kid shelleen]

26. Consider the source(s)

Most of the readers are as clueless as the staff.

[MilesColtrane]

27. Yeah...I should know better.

[Systematic Chaos]

33. Beat me to it!

I've been fanatical about GG since I found out about them in the late 80s as a teenager.

In fact, before changing my name to Systematic Chaos, I was Gentle Giant here some years ago!

[Zephie]

25. Dream Theater deserves to be higher on the list.

[Twillig]

28. Yeah, dig the quote "led by guitar god John Petrucci.."

Where was JP on the infamous RS 100 guitarists list?

Screw RS.

Silly Bunts.


I'm too old to know or care who Mars Volta are. :-)

[Kat45]

36. Their new drummer, Mike Mangini, is amazing!

He's from the Boston area and I've seen him in a few bands around here. I've also seen him playing with Steve Vai. When I read that he was among the contenders for DT's new drummer, I had a feeling they'd choose him.

[Twillig]

38. Did you see the audition videos?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L609JsPFmmI

Man, all those guys were monsters.

I thought--pre-all tha--that Marco Minneman was a good bet. He was the only one I knew about, actually. :-)

They picked the one that fit them best. Mangini looks like the best choice, he wanted it so much had to have it.

[Danger Mouse]

30. Dream Theater should be #1. Rush blows.

[Zephie]

31. I'd give Pink Floyd the #1, but DT clocks in at #2

I hold very, very deep reverence for Pink Floyd. I think my father would spring up from the grave and stare at me disapprovingly while I slept if I didn't advocate the first position for them.

[Danger Mouse]

37. Pink Floyd could just as easily be #1 in my book...

...the song 'Echoes' alone is just pure brilliance the likes of which Rush will never be able to touch.

With Dream Theater, songs like 'Fatal Tragedy,' 'Home,' 'Hollow Years,' 'Peruvian Skies,' 'Glass Prison,' 'Voices,' 'Sacrificed Sons,' and their amazing cover of 'Funeral For a Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding'...all masterpieces. I never get tired of 'Voices'...it's probably one of my favorite songs ever...I love it as much as 'Echoes'

I'm sad to hear that MP left Dream Theater. His insane drumming skills were a solid part of the magic.

[Zephie]

39. I've wondered just how well they'll cope with MP gone

I mean, I've heard that the "New Mike" is good, but I really always felt that Portnoy was the driving force in the band. I think my favorite song is Grand Finale/Losing Time. Something about it just speaks to me.

[gratuitous]

32. To paraphrase a friend of mine . . .

There's not enough pot in the world to make that crap sound good again.

[Systematic Chaos]

34. I won't waste my time feeling sorry for both of you then.

:eyes:

[gratuitous]

35. Thanks

Could you pray for my immortal soul, too?