Ed’s Letter

Hello and welcome to issue 103 of Prog magazine. On page 11, reader Paul Farley asks me to repeat what I said onstage at last month’s Space Rocks. According to Farley, what I said “was spot on” describing, in his words, “the meaning of progressive music”. I’m more than happy to, Paul, although I do so fully aware that there may be some who feel the description takes prog too far away from their own comfort zone, and will vehemently disagree. But, in a nutshell, here goes anyway.

I find it difficult to subscribe to the theory that prog is a sound. The originators of this great music never sounded alike: Genesis sound nothing like King Crimson, for example, Tull nothing like ELP, Pink Floyd nothing like Yes. None, in fact, sound anything like each other. What does unite them is a fearless creativity, a natural musical curiosity and a desire to continue to push away musical barriers. And that is what I believe is at the heart of progressive music. True, there are bands these days with similar styles, but these are unlikely to be what you’d call originators in the genre. Space dictates I can’t ramble on forever here about this, but you get my drift. Anyway, I hope that suffices, Mr Farley.

Cover stars Hawkwind fit this mould perfectly, I think. For 50 years they’ve been charting their own unique course, and the time is right to celebrate them on the front cover. Dave Brock talks of manning the good ship Hawkwind, we look at the fascinating career of the late Robert Calvert, and ex-Hawkwind dancer Stacia Blake gives her first major magazine interview. It’s a fascinating read.

We’d like to think that the other bands in this issue also fit with my words above. Jethro Tull, Dweezil Zappa, Flying Colors, Fruupp, Rustin Man, Voyager, The Tea Party and more. It’s what keeps making progressive music such a fascinating listen.

Prog on…

Jerry Ewing - Editor