Part II of a discussion of Dave Weigel’s new book The Show That Never Ends, a history of Progressive Rock, which is getting all sorts of discussion on social media. The chat ended breaking down into two broad topics. Part I was about Robert Fripp vs. Keith Emerson. This time, we discuss the notion of Progressive Rock as ‘art’ or entertainment. The Prog Tree Of Life. Jumping The Shark. No regroup. Mr. Natural.

Roger CortonOverall, why do you think the book is getting so much attention?

JCHI think a lot of it is that this guy is a well-placed writer and the fact that he is a good reporter. He covered this like a for realz news story. There may or may not be that many fans left. They just make a lot of noise (laughs). But he gave the whole thing real gravitas by covering it like real ‘art’ and I’m sure the fans get that.

RCI know you mentioned the […]

Part I of a discussion of Dave Weigel’s new book The Show That Never Ends, a history of Progressive Rock, which is getting all sorts of discussion on social media. The chat ended breaking down into two broad topics. This week? Career Planning: Robert Fripp vs. Keith Emerson. Filet Mignon with Ketchup.

Roger CortonWhere you been, man? We gotta discuss this book.

JCHSick. And you know I haven’t actually read the thing.

RCBut surely you’ve heard about it?

JCHThat guy has like the best PR agent of all time. I expect to see a review in Juggs Monthly (laughs). Nobody gets that reference. Dude, where did you get that?

RCWikipedia. I didn’t get the reference.

JCHWow. I gotta stop doing jokes like that. I haven’t seen a for realz skin mag in twenty years. Anyhoo, nothing but interviews. Probably the biggest thing to happen to ‘Prog’ in a decade. And I have […]

I Know What You Want: Dance music. We decide to tackle a thorny subject. After unexpectedly great initial sales, fans decide realize complain mightily. Nice beat. I Give it an 85. But is it really ‘Prog’? Talking Heads. Kraftwerk.

Roger CortonAfter some pretty great initial results, the sales of Progress plummeted like the proverbial stone. Expected?

I Know What You Want (Snippet)

JCHExpected. Or rather, I think the fact that the initial sales were good was the unexpected part.

RCPart of it was, I think, the fact that some of us were expecting a (hate to bring up a sort spot) a tour.

JCHI get it.

RCAnd I think another issue, which we’ve decided to handle

JCHFULL FRONTAL. NOW DON’T SUGAR COAT IT, SON!

RCDance music.

JCHRight.

RCBecause the scuttle butt was that Progress is that…

RC“It’s just like Compartments”

RCie. […]