Changes

Progressive rock arose during the late 1960s and carried on through the 1970s before a decline corresponding to the rise of [[Punk rock|punk]].  [[King Crimson]], [[Yes]], [[Emerson, Lake, & Palmer]], and [[Genesis]] are considered the four "classic" exponents of this genre, although bands as diverse as [[Pink Floyd]], [[Jethro Tull]], and [[Rush]] have been given this label.

Progressive rock arose during the late 1960s and carried on through the 1970s before a decline corresponding to the rise of [[Punk rock|punk]].  [[King Crimson]], [[Yes]], [[Emerson, Lake, & Palmer]], and [[Genesis]] are considered the four "classic" exponents of this genre, although bands as diverse as [[Pink Floyd]], [[Jethro Tull]], and [[Rush]] have been given this label.

The genre has been criticized for some of its excesses and pretensions, which led to its downfall in the late 1970s (although bands like Pink Floyd and Rush continued to maintain a large following).  In the 1980s, many artists in this genre commercialized their sound to incorporate the [[New Wave]] movement and other more mainstream rock fads, while in the 1990s a new wave of "progressive metal" bands arose who combined the sound of traditional prog bands with metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Metallica. The most prominent of these is Dream Theater.

The genre has been criticized for some of its excesses and pretensions, which led to its downfall in the late 1970s (although bands like Pink Floyd and Rush continued to maintain a large following).  This could be seen as a general turn in popular music towards more commercial and easily-accessible forms (such as disco and smooth jazz).

 

In the 1980s, many "neo-prog" artists such as [[Pallas]] and [[Marillion]] began a revival of the genre, combining the virtuosity and complexity of the '70s bands with a more mainstream sound reflecting the [[New Wave]] movement.  Stalwarts of the genre (including [[Yes]] and [[Genesis]]) also modified their sound to head in a more mainstream direction.  One example of this is the formation of the supergroup [[Asia]], featuring former members of [[Yes]], [[King Crimson]], and [[ELP]].  Asia's pop-oriented debut established a sales record for 1982, but surprised disappointed many fans of progressive rock who were expecting something less mainstream.

 

In the 1990s a new wave of "progressive metal" bands arose who combined the sound of traditional prog bands with metal bands such as Black Sabbath and Metallica. The most prominent of these is Dream Theater, while other such bands include Symphony X, Queensryche, and Tool.