GP readers weigh in.

Thanks for a wonderful issue on prog [April 2021]. Finally, some recognition for this often-frownedupon movement. I could never understand the resentment of a movement that gave us so many fantastic musicians (Yes, ELP, Genesis, Gentle Giant…). I’ve often found similar resentment toward the movement of jazz-rock, or fusion as it was later called. Utterly incomprehensible, as it gave us John McLaughlin, the late Chick Corea and a host of incredible musicians. So when will the fusion issue be available? Merci.

—PIERRE CARRIER

When I started out on guitar, all I wanted was to play some Beatles tunes, and when pop turned into rock, all I needed was to learn some pentatonic stuff in order to be considered a “serious” player in my neighborhood. And suddenly there came Steve Howe with his archtop, with a sound all his own, never playing that pentatonic stuff but constructing interesting parts coming from the jazz, folk and classical world. I finally realized that I could become a more knowledgeable player if I stepped into this progressive-rock world. A few years later I also became a fan of people like Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour, and they were the last step for me to take to get enchanted by the old jazz legends. I am, at the age of 67, again becoming better on my instrument, and I am so grateful for that.

—SERGE SORBER