The Rise of Progressive Rock (1969–1974)

1. King Crimson releases a landmark debut

   Oct 10, 1969Labels: King Crimson, In the, Progressive rock

   • King Crimson

2. Pink Floyd expands rock into orchestral forms

   Oct 2, 1970Labels: Pink Floyd, Atom Heart, Orchestral rock

   • Pink Floyd

3. ELP’s debut brings virtuoso prog mainstream

   Nov 20, 1970Labels: Emerson Lake, ELP debut, Virtuoso rock

   • ELP album

4. ELP’s Tarkus popularizes the side-long suite

   Jun 4, 1971Labels: ELP, Tarkus, Side-long suite

   • Tarkus

5. Genesis solidifies a new lineup on Nursery Cryme

   Nov 12, 1971Labels: Genesis, Nursery Cryme, Phil Collins

   • Nursery Cryme

6. Yes releases Fragile and broadens prog’s audience

   Nov 12, 1971Labels: Yes, Fragile, Rick Wakeman

   • Fragile

7. Jethro Tull issues Thick as a Brick

   Mar 3, 1972Labels: Jethro Tull, Thick as, Concept album

   • Thick Brick

8. Yes peaks with Close to the Edge

   Sep 8, 1972Labels: Yes, Close to, Classic prog

   • Close Edge

9. Genesis releases Foxtrot featuring “Supper’s Ready”

   Sep 15, 1972Labels: Genesis, Foxtrot, Supper's Ready

   • Foxtrot

10. Virgin launches with Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells

    May 25, 1973Labels: Mike Oldfield, Tubular Bells, Virgin Records

    • Tubular Bells

11. Yes stretches the double-album concept with Tales

    Dec 7, 1973Labels: Yes, Tales from, Double album

    • Tales

12. ELP releases Brain Salad Surgery on its own label

    Dec 7, 1973Labels: ELP, Brain Salad, Band label

    • Brain Salad

13. King Crimson’s Red signals a heavier prog direction

    Oct 1, 1974Labels: King Crimson, Red, Heavy prog

    • Red album

14. Genesis releases The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway

    Nov 22, 1974Labels: Genesis, The Lamb, Rock opera

    • The Lamb