Latest articles by Jo Kendall
Anthony Phillips’ Strings Of Light reissue defies his claim that he’s not a brilliant player
Celebratory 2CD set defies former Genesis guitarist’s claim that he was never a brilliant player
"At the end, Jimmy says to me: 'I want you in my band'. I say: 'But I've got a maths exam in the morning!'": Rick Wakeman, and the blues records that changed his life
It all started with a love of trad jazz and Etta James – plus a baptism of fire in an after-school session with R&B star Jimmy Thomas
"This man said, ‘I’ve brought my wife for a night out and you’re the worst band I’ve seen in my life. You’re crap.’” How the Moody Blues finally 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.
Hello Cleveland! What's wrong with being sexy? Eleven ways in which Spinal Tap changed the lexicon of rock
The improvised lines from Spinal Tap that have been assimilated into common rock parlance and beyond
“Someone’s spiked Derek Sherinian and Bumblefoot’s cornflakes – their virtuosity is hotwired for the next gen”: Whom Gods Destroy’s Insanium
Not yet ratedSons Of Apollo offshoot deliver a jawdropping and sometimes preposterous prog-metal storm with their debut release
"My family were pastors and a lot of injustice was taught to me as a little girl. Now it's my time to put on the collar and preach": The rise of occult rockers Lucifer
From Stockholm via Berlin, Lucifer are a 70s-inspired occult-rock force on the rise
“Serene, melodic and as refreshing as the breeze… complete with looped lambs’ cries”: How prog is Virginia Astley’s From Gardens Where We Feel Secure?
Her 1983 album turns a summer day into a found-sound experience, resting under a parasol with the work of David Sylvian, Ryuichi Sakamoto and XTC
“I want these recordings to actually be used, so they have to fit a picture:” Matt Berry’s not joking with his nostalgic album of library music
Simplicity isn’t just a homage to the label that provided countless TV theme tunes in the 60s and 70s - it’s Berry’s real-life contribution to the genre
The critics hated it, Ringo Starr hated it, but over the years its experimental ripples widened: 11 albums that owe a huge debt to Paul and Linda McCartney's Ram
Ram's influence on second-generation Beatles fans-turned-musicians cannot be underestimated
“What you’re hearing is an emotional reaction, it’s not us being smart or being good at something. It’s us being excited about what we’re doing because we’re discovering it”: When Motorpsycho completed their politically-aware trilogy with The All Is One
While the experimental Norwegian outfit looked for joy, their 2020 album was also a reaction to the threat of “strong men” like Donald Trump and their “mouthy” politics
“I put an ad in Melody Maker – ‘musicians only need apply!’ – and we got Peter and Michael Giles, and Robert Fripp”: So many artists wanted to be part of Judy Dyble’s world
Late singer decided to avoid staying in bands too long after being fired from Fairport Convention – “I’d leave before they could throw me out” – but believed the split sent both parties hurling into adventures they’d otherwise have missed
“We broke up after debating the exact time signature of Solsbury Hill!” Before being able to enjoy lively debate with Peter Hammill, Tim Bowness dated an argumentative prog fan
If he hadn’t discovered the genre via a childhood Subbuteo tournament, he might have wound up working in flavoured crisps
“John Bonham said rock and blues wasn’t a good place for girls. He wanted me to be a vet or a lawyer… for a while I went down the opera route”: Despite her brother’s misgivings, Genesis helped shape Deborah Bonham’s career
Singing sister of Led Zeppelin drummer had tried to become Gong’s Shakti Yoni - but that was before Selling England By The Pound and Foxtrot changed her life
“The director told me he wanted a song about death… Not only that, but it was a rabbit”: Mike Batt on Watership Down, his concept albums and the connection between the Wombles, Steeleye Span and (maybe) Hawkwind
Performer, composer and director on his early introduction to prog, the shelved 1973 rock opera that cost him £11,000 and keeping Dave Brock under control
"Donovan came to my flat for a songwriting session. He brought a Tupperware box full of hash cakes": Catching up with Kula Shaker's Crispian Mills
Still influenced by the colourful 1960s and Indian mysticism, Kula Shaker's new album is "lightning in a bottle"
14 peace anthems and the stories behind them
From pleas for equality to anti-war sentiments and social commentary, we look at some of the greatest peace songs of all time
“He sees the big picture and gets that classic English sound… I’m still very awestruck by his history”: Christopher Cross on why Alan Parsons is his prog hero
Texan rocker loved Dark Side Of The Moon, leading him to an admiration for, and later friendship with, the man behind the controls
“I was completely petrified by Kate Bush singing Wuthering Heights on TV. Anyone I was scared of I was interested by”: How Matt Berry discovered prog
Toast Of London star and self-taught musician became a fan of Jean Michel Jarre, Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd and more
"We got high without drink or anything. It's a record that still takes me to another sphere": Doro picks the soundtrack of her life
Metal Queen Doro picks her records, artists and gigs of lasting significance, and reveals what happens when 30 metalheads take on 120 punks
“Brian Eno has a very simple view on music - the more we clutter it up with things the more foggy the goodness gets”: Huey Morgan’s prog education
Former Fun Lovin’ Criminals frontman traces a line from Nat King Cole and Frank SInatra to Talk Talk, Marillion, Jethro Tull and others
“Served up as ‘hi-def’ – but should that be hi-deaf? The raw, frantic energy might be too much for some”: Meshuggah’s Chaosphere 25th Anniversary edition
Groundbreaking third album keeps pushing boundaries with lively remaster
“Occasionally one of their legs would go up slightly. Were they playing or checking emails? I thought it would be fun to have them doing The Hokey Cokey”: Bill Bailey’s Kraftwerk sketch
Comedian and master prog musician discusses the gems in his record collection, including Yes, Roxy Music and Hawkwind – and outlines plans to play the Albert Hall like an instrument
“I speak like I do because I spent years trying to impersonate Vivian Stanshall”: Comedian and musician Ade Edmondson’s prog record collection
The Young Ones and Bottom star fronted The Bad Shepherds with inspirations including the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Jethro Tull, Focus, Alex Harvey and a stack of folk influences
"It’s a bad combination to be really loud and have no fans if you’re playing at a bar": how Dinosaur Jr. overcame indifference to became one of the 80s most influential bands
For Dinosaur Jr. founder and mastermind J Mascis, the 80s was a time of noisy punk and alt.rock, paving the way for the decade that would explode that scene: the 90
"I had a phone call from Dave Gilmour and he said, 'Would you be interested in coming down?' Former XTC man Colin Moulding on how he almost joined Pink Floyd
Revelations from former XTC bassist, singer and songwriter Colin Moulding when he released his TC&I EP Great Aspirations with old band mate Terry Chambers
