Progressive rock bands going pop are a well-established phenomenon. And it’s one that still happens today, believe it or not.
Do you have a favorite prog band that later dabbled in popular music? While the traditional rock world may seem anathema to progressive rockers, the journey many have taken from side to side seems to betray that notion.
What groups can you think of that made the change? Looking back, there was undoubtedly an era in rock music that apparently saw more proggers go pop than any other.
This would be the 1980s, which was by far the most visible period where progressive rock bands went into mainstream pop. Maybe the lure of ’80s hit music was too much for some progressive bands to bear — it was a decade filled with crossover progressive rockers.
After all, the late ’70s were “a tough time to be a progressive rocker,” as uDiscoverMusic explained. “The delicate time signatures, epic concept sequels, and jaw-dropping riffs that defined progressive rock during its heyday in the early to mid-’70s have fallen out of favor.”
Of course, a progressive rock band doing pop doesn’t mean they can’t go back long-term plan. This is the case with many progressive artists who have tried their hand at pop.
Anyway, without further ado, here are 10 of those progressive rock bands that went pop. Who would you add to the list?
10 progressive rock bands that went pop
A lot of prog-rockers have gone over to the pop side. Here is a selection.
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