Latest articles by Jo Kendall
The prog band who made A-ha’s Morten Harket into a musician
Norwegian pop singer remains impressed by his British heroes’ songwriting, which made him feel like he’d come home when he first listened
“I thought, ‘I’m getting the message’”: Richard Barbieri on the much-needed Porcupine Tree hiatus
Keyboardist admits he wasn’t such a nice person in the run-up to their 2010 hiatus, explains what changed when they released 2022’s Closure/Continuation, and hints at what might be next
"He said, ‘I’ve brought my wife for a night out and you’re crap.’” Moody Blues came good with Days Of Future Passed
In 1967, a new line-up of The Moody Blues embraced their symphonic influences to create a groundbreaking album that not only pushed them in a new musical direction but also brought about the birth of progressive rock.
I was Peter Gabriel’s stunt double for Sledgehammer
Working on the award-winning 1986 music video incorrectly convinced the future comic book creative that he’d have a career with Aardman Animations
Tori Amos on her new concept album, social commentary, women in music and covering Slayer
In Times Of Dragons stars a billionaire Lizard Demon, a Gay Witch from Brooklyn, the Celtic god Lugh of the Long Arm... and Tori Amos
Suzi Quatro's stories of Alice Cooper, Iggy Pop, Joan Jett, Phil Lynott, Peter Frampton and more
Suzi Quatro shot Alice Cooper, sang with Donovan, starred on Happy Days and toured with Noddy Holder and Phil Lynott: These are just a few of her stories
Japan’s Richard Barbieri on blue hair, lipstick, a fingerless glove and the unusual reason he joined the band
Future Porcupine Tree member recalls being put off playing keyboards by Keith Emerson and Rick Wakeman, and feeling culturally homeless before the new romantic era
Psychedelic substances led Rival Sons’ Jay Buchanan to the Mahavishnu Orchestra
The vocalist found inspiration in John McLaughlin’s ability to make different pieces feeling like different drugs
Dave Brock slams BBC film suggestion that Hawkwind stole Paul McCartney's long-lost bass
Paul McCartney: The Hunt For The Lost Bass tells the story of the former Beatle's long-lost Höfner violin bass
“There would be no Holiday In Cambodia without Hawkwind”: How Jello Biafra discovered space rock
The former Dead Kennedys leader admits he hasn’t loved every line-up of Dave Brock’s outfit, but that doesn’t affect their impact over the years
The prog stars who influenced a comedy musician’s career – and made him become a milkman for a while
Graham Fellows, creator of Jilted John and John Shuttleworth, started out with ELP before finding Yes, Focus, The Enid and Pink Floyd (although he has no time for The Dark Side Of The Moon)
Kavus Torabi on the new adventures of psychedelic rock, jazz, space-rock and more collective Gong
Since being handed the role of Gong gatekeeper by late founder Daevid Allen, Kavus Torabi has guided the band through a trilogy of albums
No compromise: How Joan Armatrading made the album that set her on the path to stardom
After accidentally getting a start in the London production of Hair, Joan Armatrading made the demo that (eventually) changed her life
“That bloke’s right – we’re crap!” The insult and the instrument that turned a failing pop act into prog giants
They seemed doomed to be one-hit wonders on the cabaret circuit, with gig fees spiralling downwards, until the night they were confronted with the truth
How a psychotic reaction triggered the cult 70s album that influenced Queens Of The Stone Age, The Damned and Nirvana’s producer
Groundhogs’ 1971 album Split is a nailed-on cult classic
If Death is a rabbit and you're on TV as a Womble, you’re probably Mike Batt
He recalls the chain reaction from the advert that got Elton John signed through missing a Family credit, a fluke Top Of The Pops slot, working with Steeleye Span and Art Garfunkel, to temporarily joining Hawkwind
The apocalyptic anthem that sowed the seeds for prog – and became “the first heavy metal song” in the process
Everyone from Ozzy to Voivod has covered this groundbreaking masterpiece
“Kate Bush gave me a copy of Aerial and said, ‘Don’t fall asleep while listening!’” Simon Drake’s magic life
He helped create Bush’s one and only tour show, corrupted light entertainment TV into a counterculture variant, and refused to star in Cats – mainly because of Arthur Brown and Peter Gabriel
“He was unable to write something with delight in it. It’s epic”: William Shatner’s surprising Christmas album
The Star Trek icon gets silly and serious in turns as he discusses what the season means to him, the secret to living long and prospering, and the presents Kirk and Spock might give each other
“My first boyfriend introduced me to The Wall. It was the only interesting thing about him”: Joanne Harris’ prog stars
She explains why prog makes her think of Barnsley, lists some of her favourite records and recalls taking her daughter to a Genesis tribute show only to hear her say: “Ah yes, Mastodon!”
The 80s new wave band who dabbled with prog and inspired The Pineapple Thief, Oceansize and others
Prog writer Jo Kendall reckons they did, inspiring the likes of Oceansize along the way...
“I said we shouldn’t do Another Brick In The Wall at the school fête”: Slow Horses showrunner Will Smith’s record collection
Stand-up, actor, novelist and producer Will Smith on how much Marillion means to him, the four lines of Jon Anderson lyrics that bring him to tears, his favourite Vangelis soundtrack and his claim that Dire Straits are a prog band
Remembering Rick Davies, from tramping around Germany to leading Supertramp around the world
Former colleagues recall the life and times of a driven but introverted musician who endured tough challenges to see his lifelong vision achieved – and updated his joke book while he did it
“It was a fear I had. It was unfounded”: Studio star reveals big regret to a fan who’s now a star himself
The Pink Floyd collaborator thought his career would last two years. But in the past five decades he’s had surprise hits, overreacted to a myth about tape, and made colleagues believe his ideas had been their own
