Experiencing Progressive Rock

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.

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.

Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 "From the Beginning": The Struggle for Definition Chapter 3 Conceptuality: Embracing the Long Player and Advances in Technology in Sound Reproduction Chapter 4 Enemies at the Door: Prog Under Threat Chapter 5 A New Decade and a New Progressive Rock Chapter 6 New Directions in the 1990s and 2000s Chapter 7 Tripping the Light Fantastic: Progressive Rock and Spectacle Chapter 8 New Life: Reuniting for Renewed Success Chapter 9 Post-Prog: A New Struggle for Definition Chapter 10 Conclusion: Is Contemporary Progressive Rock Driven by Musical "Progression"?