Ed’s Letter
So we’re back in the office after another great Be Prog! My Friend festival. In fact, we were back just in time to get down to the Borderline to catch a great show by Aussie prog rockers Voyager too. Both events highlight the diversity and talent on offer in the progressive scene at the moment, the former aligning it with two fine sets from headliners A Perfect Circle and Steve Hackett. And although the odd grumble is nothing new to our community, I look at events such as these and see little correlation with some suggestions that 2018 hasn’t been a good year for progressive music.
It’s that sense of balance that we alway try to reflect in Prog magazine. This issue’s cover feature looks at what Peter Gabriel got up to between leaving Genesis and kicking off his solo career with Car. It is an intriguing tale of a man who chose to turn his back on what many saw as impending fame, fortune and glory, only to achieve all that but on his own terms. A truly progressive outlook if ever there was one.
Elsewhere we discover why Nick Mason’s gotten back behind the drum kit with Saucerful Of Secrets, Bev Bevan recalls his time with The Move, ELO and Black Sabbath, and Dave Sinclair talks us through his latest solo album. On the newer front, Haken singer Ross Jennings discusses his favourite prog live albums, we look at the roots of prog metal and Sanguine Hum’s Matt Baber talks us through his first ever solo album
We also pay tribute to the late Jon Hiseman, who sadly passed away last month. I met Jon at the Progressive Music Awards in 2016 when we honoured him with the Visionary Award. I can only echo the words of others in this issue and state what a charming and inspirational man he was. Thankfully his music will live on forever.