Martin Turner and Steve Upton were forming a band in 1970, so legend has it, and they couldn’t choose between Andy Powell and Ted Turner (no relation) on lead guitar. Thus were born the greatest exponents of the glorious and pretty much exclusively Prog Rock phenomenon, twin lead guitars.

If you’re not familiar with this sound you need to download "Blowin’ Free" and you’ll struggle to believe that what seems at first to sound like a clever echo is in fact the two guitars jousting. It’s a staggeringly accomplished track, whether or not in its original electric format, or more Folk-like acoustic, and demonstrates the assurance of a band into its third great album in as many years ("Argus" – 1972). 

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Perhaps understandably, given that it is the closest the band ever got to a concept album, Wishbone Ash are primarily remembered for "Argus". At the time Wishbone Ash seemed quite heavy, in the Deep Purple mode, whose stable they shared, and whose own guitarist, one Ritchie Blackmore, is reputed to have been godfather to the band persuading Deep Purple’s own label to take on Wishbone Ash – ironically Turner’s and Powell’s guitars seemed to have aged more gracefully than the iconic Blackmore’s. Listening to Wishbone Ash today, in our post-Prodigy world, the Folk Rock influences, like their contemporaries such as The Strawbs, shine through. Given that Wishbone Ash abounds with myths, it is fitting that "Argus" conjures medieval visions, and Arthurian allusions, a theme common enough in their other work, and through the great Prog Rock bands generally, but at its most complete in "Argus". "Argus" works very well, and the lead guitars take us on epic Tolkienian journeys ("Time Was", "The King Will Come", "Throw Down The Sword", "The Warrior"), and the understated vocals are unusual in that they are reduced to a support function.

While "Argus" and its standout track "Blowin’ Free" should be regarded as essential, their eponymous debut (1970) and 1971’s outing "Pilgrimage" are in many ways its equal, with some equally outstanding tracks, including the legendary "Phoenix". Wishbone IV (1973) and "There’s The Rub" (1974) refine the Wishbone Ash sound, but Punk Rock was knocking, and despite sterling work since, and excellent live gigs ("Live Dates" is an outstanding album) Wishbone Ash had had their spell on the top table.

The generally accepted wisdom is that Wishbone Ash needed a front man, and Wishbone Ash themselves are rumoured to have agreed, leading to the band's first change of personnel in the mid seventies. Competent vocals, and totally appropriate to their sound, but in a world that wanted more Bolan, Broughton, Bowie, Hammill, Gabriel, Daltry and Plant, and was as ready as it was going to be for the emerging Mercury, they weren’t quite Gillan.

While the band has had its share of Floydian internecine squabbles over the years, it’s still active, and has consistently featured Andy Powell on lead guitar. Wishbone Ash is a great personal favourite, and highly recommended. Everything that’s good about lead guitar – restrained and yet flamboyant – in the best possible taste. The most thoroughly British of bands.

Albums:

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Formed in 1969, when vocalist, pianist and ex-drummer Rick Davies placed an ad in Music magazine Melody Maker, Supertramp were a British progressive Rock band who had a number of top selling albums throughout  the 70’s and early 80’s.

Originally named ‘Daddy’, the band later (one year later) found inspiration in W.H. Davies’ book The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp and changed to their now-famous moniker. Their first self-titled album, Supertramp, was released on 14^th July, 1970 in the UK and Canada (it was later issued in the US in 1977) to little public or critical interest. It wasn’t till their second album, Indelibly Stamped (released June 1971 in both UK and US), that they began to settle into the Simon & Garfunkel-esque dual-vocalist approach that brought them such great later success. However, even with their more commercial approach and eye-catching artwork, Supertramp still remained a ‘cult’ band, their second album selling even less than their debut.

After this initial failure which lost them two of their band members, Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson went on a hunt for replacements, bringing aboard Dougie Thomson on bass, Bob Siebenberg on drums, and John Helliwell on saxophone, (he also played other woodwinds, occasional keyboards and backing vocals) completing the line-up that would create the group's defining albums.

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The band released Crime of the Centuryin September 1974 to critical acclaim managing to hit number four in Britain. Supported by the top-10 single, “Dreamer” and B-side “Bloody Well Right” it also hit the US Top 40 in 1975, peaking at number thirty-five. The band quickly followed up on their success, putting out their next album Crisis? What Crisis? in November 1975 to slightly less commercial success. The band then relocated to the U.S. and began moving steadily away from the progressive style of their early work and towards a more pop-orientated sound. In 1977 they released Even in the Quietest Moments which gave them their hit single “Give a little bit” and “Fools Overture”. Having mastered the art of writing a pop song, they then released their most popular album, Breakfast in America in March 1979, reaching number 3 in the UK and number 1 in the US; the album has since sold over 18 million copies worldwide.

The duo later split in 1982 over extenuating circumstances (missus trouble) and Hodgson left to pursue a relatively successful solo career, releasing an album in 1984 entitled In the Eye of the Storm, which featured his biggest hit, “Had a Dream (Sleeping With the Enemy)”. Davies continued with Supertramp, releasing Brother Where You Bound which included a 16 minute track on Cold War themes shaped by guitar solos from Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour.

After a number of years hiatus, Davies reformed Supertramp in 1996 (minus Hodgson) to write Some Things Never Change which returned to the earlier Supertramp sound. At the same time Hodgson released his first solo effort in over ten years, named Rites of Passage in March 1977 – a live album which featured a number of Supertramp songs. The two then switched positions, Hodgson releasing a studio album and Davies a live recording of Supertramp. The two continue to record and write separately up to today.

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Pink Floyd

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Muse started out as a band under a number of names including Gothic Plague, Fixed Penalty, and Rocket Baby Dolls. After winning a battle of the bands type competition, it changed its name to Muse and started playing gigs in London and Manchester.

In 1998, Muse signed a deal with America’s Maverick Records. This opened the doors to other deals in Europe and Australia but in the age of indie music, Muse was keen to maintain creative control.

To support the release of its first album, Showbiz, the band toured with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters and the festival circuit in Europe.

By now, Muse gained a reputation for its energetic live performances and fusion of progressive and alternative rock. Matthew Bellamy’s style has also become a trademark for the band as he uses falsetto vocals and pitch-shift guitar effects. NME Magazine described Muse’s style as “every guitar here sounds like it’s from the future, every flourish and movement scored and orchestrated with celestial vision.”

Its second album Origin of Symmetrywas well-received by critics but Maverick Records wanted to make some changes with the songs due to their reservations over lead singer, Bellamy’s vocal style. The band refused and jumped ship to the loving arms of Warner. By 2006, the album was rated in Q Magazine’s fan poll of the 100 greatest albums ever.

Stockholm Syndrome was released as a download only single to give fans a taste of what was to come on the next album. It proved to be one of the most popular download singles ever. Absolution, Muse’s third album, debuted at #1 in the UK charts and yielded a top ten hit Time is Running Out.

In 2004, the band started picking up awards for “Best Alternative Act” and “Best Live Act” and headlined the Glastonbury Festival. In 2006, Muse released its fourth album entitled Black Holes and Revelations. It was nominated for a Mercury Music Prize but narrowly missed out to the Arctic Monkeys. The most notable single from the album was Supermassive Black Hole which ended up being featured on the video game, Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock.

By 2008, Muse was the headline act for the V Festival and members Bellamy, Dominic Howard (drums) and Christopher Wolstenholme (bass) received Honorary Doctorates of Arts from the University of Plymouth.

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Muse released Resistance in 2009. It was the first album that proudly claimed a self-production. On its release, it topped the album charts in 19 countries and reached #3 in the US.

The song United States of Eurasia from its 2009 release was available for download but only after it was unlocked in a clever worldwide treasure hunt, consisting of USB keys with song data hidden in seven major cities.

Now a regular headliner for festivals and an arena sell-out, Muse successfully capitalised on the indie movement by not backing down to record label management whims and integrating new technology in not only its musical style but also in its promotion.

Juanita Appleby

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The Nice were a late Sixties progressive / psychedelic rock band. While they did not last more than three years, they were a major influence in bridging the gap between the psychedelic rock of the Sixties and the progressive rock of the Seventies. 

Led by keyboard maestro Keith Emerson, who was greatly influenced by the work of Mozart and Tchaiovsky, (later of Emerson, Lake & Palmer) they were one of the first bands to fuse rock with an orchestra. The group began as the backing band for British soul singer P.P. Arnold, and also featured guitarist David O'List, drummer Brian "Blinky" Davison, and bassist Lee Jackson.

The band were infamous for being banned from playing the Royal Albert Hall in 1968 when Emerson set fire to an American flag when playing the song ‘America’, originally by Sondheim and Bernstein.

After The Nice dissolved, bassist/vocalist Lee Jackson and drummer Brian Davison formed Refugee with Patrick Moraz on keyboards (later of Yes).

In 2003 The Nice reformed and toured with Keith Emerson’s solo band.

Brian Davison passed away on 15th April 2008.

Albums:

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ELP

Greg Lake

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The Moody Blues are a UK band that have had hit albums in the UK, US and worldwide – with an impressive 50 million albums sold and 14 platinum and gold discs. They started life as a Rhythm and Blues based sound in 1964, emanating from Erdington in Birmingham. Their name developed from a planned sponsored from a brewery and was also a nod to the Duke Ellington song: 'Mood Indigo'.

They were initially John Lodge, Michael Pinder, Denny Laine, Graeme Edge and Clint Warwick, undergoing a few line-up changes throughout the years, notably recruiting Justin Hayward as the singer. First signed to Decca Records, the band hit gold with their 2nd single, ‘’Go now’’ which remains their sole No. 1 in the UK.

Despite debut album, 'The Magnificent Moodies' sounding distinctly rhythm and blues influenced, their sound changed for their 2nd album 'Days of Future Passed' – which was more orchestral, and contained well-known track 'Nights in White Satin' which went on to become a million seller when re-released 5 years later, in 1972.

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They moved on to a more psychedelic sound that helped to define the progressive rock genre, with their 1968 album 'In search of the Lost Chord'.

The band took a long break in 1974, reuniting in 1978 with the album 'Octave' which sold well, and in 1979 the band toured the US and England, by 1981 The Moody Blues had reached No.1 again in Billboard charts and Top 5 in the UK with LP 'Long Distance Voyager'.

Between 1991 and 1998, the band took an extended break from recording , instead trying to perfect live music with an orchestra. 1999 saw the return of the long-running band, with the modestly received album 'Strange times' and an appearance on The Simpsons.

Since the turn of the century, The Moody Blues have released a live concert 'Hall of Fame', the film Journey into Amazing Caves and a Christmas themed album.

Their most popular albums were re-released in 2006, and the following year the now closed Hard Rock theme park in the US announced a ride: 'Nights in White Satin – the Trip'.

The band continue to tour.

Albums:

Sources: Wendy Gabriel; Debra Power

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Jon Anderson (vocals), Chris Squire (bass, vocals), Peter Banks (guitar, vocals), Tony Kaye (keyboards) and Bill Bruford (drums) formed Yes in 1968, going on to create some of the most innovative progressive rock music of their generation, pioneering the use of synthesizers and sound effects. Albums included "Roundabout," ‘Relayer,” "Close To the Edge," and "Awaken", using fantastic graphic images on their album covers by Roger Dean. By this time Steve Howe and Rick Wakeman were full members.

In the 1980s, Yes continued to experiment with digital technology producing in particular "Owner Of A Lonely Heart" and "Rhythm Of Love" and indeed pushed at the boundaries of rock through the following years and even set up their own record label, Yessongs.

Yes specialized in grandiose works, complex and often symphonic in style. "Tales from Topographic Oceans" for example consists entirely of four twenty minute pieces, in fact many would question whether they could be classed as rock at all.

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As is the way, the band split after numerous member changes, although has had a few reincarnations over the years and has recently reformed, however, replacing a somewhat surprised Jon Anderson with Benoit David from a Yes tribute band (it just shows there’s always hope!).

Original members include Jon Anderson (born October 25, 1944, in Lancashire, England; left group, 1980, rejoined, early 1980s, left, late 1980s, performed with Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, and Howe [ABWH], beginning in 1989, and with Yes, 1991), vocals; Peter Banks (left group, 1969), guitar; Bill Bruford (born May 17, 1948, in London, England; left group, 1972, performed with ABWA, beginning in 1989, and with Yes, 1991), drums; Tony Kaye (left group, 1969, rejoined, 1982), keyboards; and Chris Squire (born March 4, 1948, in London), bass.

Later members include Geoff Downes (joined group, 1980, left, early 1980s), keyboards; Trevor Horn (joined group, 1980, left, early 1980s), vocals; Steve Howe (born April 8, 1947, in London; joined group, 1969, left c. 1981, performed with ABWH, beginning in 1989, and with Yes, 1991), guitar; Patrick Moraz (born June 24, 1948, in Morges, Switzerland; joined group, 1973, left, 1976), keyboards; Trevor Rabin (joined group c. 1981), guitar, Rick Wakeman (born May 18, 1949; joined group, 1971, left, 1973, rejoined, 1976, left c. 1979, performed with ABWH, beginning in 1989, and with Yes, 1991), keyboards; Alan White (born June 14, 1949, in Durham, England; joined group, 1972), drums.

Group formed in London, England, 1968; released first album, Yes, on Atlantic Records, 1969.

Awards: Five gold albums; two platinum albums.

Addresses: Record company—Atco, 1290 6th Ave., New York, NY 10104.

Albums: (all albums produced by Atlantic unless noted)

Time and a Word, 1970.

The Yes Album, 1971.

Fragile, 1971.

Close to the Edge, 1972.

Tales from Topographic Oceans, 1973.

Relayer, 1974.

Going for the One, 1977.

Tormato, 1978.

Drama, 1980.

90125, Atco, 1983.

Big Generator, Atco, 1987.

Union, Arista, 1991.

Talk, Victory, 1994.

Keys to Ascension 2, Essential Records, 1997.

Open Your Eyes, Eagle Records (UK) and Beyond Music (US), 1997.

The Ladder, Eagle Records (U.K.) and Beyond Music (U.S.), 1999.

Magnification, Eagle Records (U.K.) and Beyond Music (U.S.), 2001.

Fly from Here, Frontiers Records (Europe, U.S.) and Avalon (Japan), 2011.

Source: Simon Glickman

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Pink Floyd were an English rock band established in 1965 by Syd Barrett (lead vocals and lead guitar), Nick Mason (drums), Roger Waters (bass guitar) and Richard Wright (vocals and keyboard). They became famous for their psychedelic and space rock music which later evolved to progressive rock. The band is known for its imaginative live shows, album cover art, philosophical lyrics and experimental music.

Pink Floyd have sold more than 200 million albums globally making them one of the most successful rock acts of all time and they have also been an influence to many 1970s bands such as Yes and Genesis. Pink Floyd enjoyed relative success in the late 1960s especially in the London underground music scene before Barrett’s erratic behavior led to him being replaced by David Gilmour. Bass player Roger Waters then became a tour de force within the band and remained dominant until his departure in 1985.

'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn', released in 1967, was the band’s debut album and was well received at the time and is now considered a prime example of British psychedelic music. The reason Barrett was let go from the band was for his excessive use of LSD causing him to spend concerts staring into space or playing one chord for the whole performance.

After Barrett’s departure and the introduction of David Gilmour the band released the album 'A Saucerful of Secrets' which reached No.9 in the UK charts and is the only Pink Floyd album not to chart in the US. It featured the 12 minute epic title track and hinted at what was to come from this band. They were then recruited to produce the soundtrack for the film, ‘More’, which was released in 1969. The music was released as an album in its own right called 'Soundtrack from the Film More'. They then released the double album, 'Ummagumma' which was an avant-garde mix of solo projects, studio experimentation and live recordings. The album was critically acclaimed and proves Pink Floyd’s most popular release yet charting at No. 5 in the UK. Their next album, 'Atom Heart Mother'. proved a great success and reached No.1 in the UK and No. 55 in the US. This allowed Pink Floyd to embark on their first full US tour.

1970-75 was the bands big breakthrough period and produced what many consider the band’s two masterpiece albums, 'The Dark Side of the Moon' and 'Wish You Were Here'. 'The Dark Side of the Moon' became the band’s first No.1 in the US and is the third highest selling album of all time (behind 'Thriller' and 'Back in Black') selling over 45 million copies worldwide. It stayed in the US Billboard Top 200 for 741 weeks. It only ever reached No. 2 in the UK but staying in the charts for an incredible 301 weeks. 1975 saw the release of 'Wish You Were Here' which was just as well received by critics and fans alike and is the only Pink Floyd album to chart at No.1 in both the UK and the US.

'Animals', their next album release was a highly political album and although reaching No. 2 and No. 3 in the UK and US charts respectively it wasn’t well received by critics. 1979 saw the release of “The Wall” which gave Pink Floyd new acclaim and included the likes of 'Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)', 'Comfortably Numb' and 'Run Like Hell'. It sold over 11.5 million copies and was certified 23x platinum by the RIAA.

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1985 saw Waters leave the band and Gilmour take up the leaders mantle and enjoyed success with the release of “A Momentary Lapse of Reason” which charted at No.3 in both the UK and US and then in 1988 released the double album, 'Delicate Sound of Thunder'. In 1994 the band released 'The Division Bell' which was the 2nd Pink Floyd to reach No.1 in both the UK and US. 1996 saw the band inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pink Floyd appeared at Live 8 and it was hoped that the band would take up a $250 million dollar offer of a world tour but they refused.

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Uriah Heep's by-the-books progressive heavy metal made the British band one of the most popular hard rock groups of the early '70s. Formed by vocalist David Byron and guitarist Mick Box in the late '60s, the group went through an astonishing number of members over the next two decades -- nearly 30 different musicians passed through the band over the years.

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Byron and Box were members of the mid-'60s rock band called the Stalkers; once that band broke up, the duo formed another group called Spice. Spice would eventually turn into Uriah Heep in the late '60s, once Ken Hensley (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and bassist Paul Newton joined the pair. Former Spice drummer Alex Napier was the band's drummer for a brief time; he was quickly replaced by Nigel Olsson.

Uriah Heep released their debut album Very 'eavy...Very 'umble (called Uriah Heep in the U.S.) in 1970. After its release, Keith Baker became the group's drummer; he recorded Salisbury, the group's second album, before deciding he couldn't keep up with the band's extensive touring and was replaced by Ian Clarke. Salisbury, featuring a 16-minute title track recorded with a 26-piece orchestra, showcased the band's more progressive tendencies. Later that year, Ian Clarke was replaced by Lee Kerslake and Mark Clarke replaced Newton; Mark Clarke quickly left the band and Gary Thain became the group's bassist. This lineup of Uriah Heep was its most stable and popular; beginning with 1972's Demons and Wizards, they released five albums between 1972 and 1975.

After 1975, the band's popularity began to slip. Byron left the band in 1977 and was replaced by John Lawton, yet the group's fortunes kept declining right into the early '80s. However, Uriah Heep soldiered on, continuing to release albums into the '90s and 2000s. The album roster included Different World (1994), Sea of Light (1995), Sonic Origami (1998), and Spellbinder (1999). 

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Sources: Stephen Thomas Erlewine; 

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Family

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Gong, even though they have a bizarre band name, are a successful progressive rock band formed by Australian musician, Daevid Allan. They formed in 1967, after Allan, then a member of Soft Machine, was denied entry into the UK due to a visa complication.

He remained in France, where he and a London born professor, Gilli Smyth, began the band now known as Gong.

They apparently found saxophonist Didier Malherbe living in a cave in Deya, before the band were invited back to France to record the soundtrack to Jerome La Perrousaz movies. Following this, they were signed to independent label BYG, and signed up for two albums (Magick Brother, Mystic Sister and Bananamoon).

The next feat for the band was playing at the first ever Glastonbury festival, and were subsequently one of the first acts to sign up to Virgin Records. By 1971, a regular line-up had established itself, and Gong released their ‘Camembert Electrique’ album, priced at just 49p. How times can change. Sadly though, it was barred from entering the charts due to it being so cheap!

Between 1973 and 1974 the band released their ‘Radio Gnome Trilogy’. Following this in 1975, Allan refused to go on stage, claiming there was a ‘wall of force’ stopping him. He later left the band, along with Smyth. The band continued to tour with a new line-up, eventually morphing into Pierre Moerlen’s Gong, taking their main influences from the jazz genre.

Although not as recognised as they were n previous years, there are many space-rock wannabe bands keeping the Gong spirit going.

Carly Page

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Mike Oldfield

Gentle Giant

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