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In Experiencing Progressive Rock: A Listener's Companion, Robert G. H. Burns brings together the many strands that define the "prog rock" movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s to chart the evolution of this remarkable rock tradition over the decades.
Originating in the 1960s with acts like Yes, Pink Floyd, King Crimson, The Who, Jethro Tull, Genesis, and The Moody Blues, progressive rock emerged as a response to the counterculture on both sides of the Atlantic. Prog rock drew heavily on European classical music as well as the sophisticated improvisations of American jazz to create unique fusions that defied record label and radio station categorizations. Reemerging after the 1980s, a new generation of musicians took the original influences of progressive rock and reinvented new formats within the existing style. The trend of combining influences continues to the present day, earning new audiences among the musically curious.
Burns draws on his own experiences and original interviews with members of prog rock acts such as Colosseum, Renaissance, Steve Hackett's Genesis Revisited, past and current members of King Crimson, Steven Wilson, and Brand X, as well as several others, to provide an exciting behind-the-scenes look at this unique and ever-changing musical expression'.
About the author
Robert G. H. Burns is associate professor at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand. Prior to moving to New Zealand, he was a professional studio bassist in the UK performing and recording with David Gilmour, Pete Townsend, Jerry Donahue, James Burton, Ian Paice and Jon Lord, Eric Burdon, and members of Abba, among others. He also played on the soundtracks of UK television shows such as Red Dwarf, Mr. Bean, and Blackadder. Among his academic interests are progressive rock music; the combination of folk music, rock music, and modern nationalism in the UK and Germany; popular music history; and bass guitar performance.
Summary
Robert G. H. Burns brings together the many strands of the progressive rock movement of the late 1960s and early 1970s and follows the evolution of this remarkable rock tradition into the modern era. Exclusive interviews with some of prog rock’s most important progenitors supplement Burns’ analysis of the music itself.
