Articles by: Nick Shilton

Nick Shilton has written extensively for Prog since its launch in 2009 and prior to that freelanced for various music magazines including Classic Rock. Since 2019 he has also run Kingmaker Publishing, which to date has published two acclaimed biographies of Genesis as well as Marillion keyboardist Mark Kelly’s autobiography, and Kingmaker Management (looking after the careers of various bands including Big Big Train). Nick started his career as a finance lawyer in London and Paris before founding a leading international recruitment business and has previously also run a record label.

Articles by: Nick Shilton

"There are keyboard players who are way better than me who have made albums that aren’t as good as mine!" - The Tangent, Andy Tillison and Auto Reconnaissance

By Nick Shilton published 21 August 23

Long standing UK proggers The Tangent discuss the creation of their eleventh studio aobum, 2020's Auto Reconnaissance

IQ and Frequency: "It's one of our best pieces of work"

By Nick Shilton published 25 May 23

Having endured the loss of founding keyboard player Martin Orford during the writing of the album, IQ returned with their powerful tenth album Frequency in 2009

Spock's Beard and the story of Noise Floor

By Nick Shilton published 25 May 23

US prog rockers Spock's Beard released their thirteenth studio album, Noise Floor, in 2018. It remains their most recent studio release...

The story of Sound Of Contact and Dimensionaut

By Nick Shilton published 18 May 23

In 2013 Sound Of Contact released their debut album Dimensionaut to much fanfare. This is the story...

Spock's Beard stand in front of city lights with their hands in their pockets, circa 2013

Spock's Beard: The story behind Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep

By Nick Shilton published 3 April 23

Spock’s Beard's first album with Ted Leonard on vocals was always going to divide fans. Here, the band share the story behind 2013's Brief Nocturnes And Dreamless Sleep

“So much prog is prog by numbers". How John Mitchell launched Lonely Robot

By Nick Shilton published 23 February 23

Guitarist and singer behind some of prog's most popular modern day acts John Mitchell discusses new solo venture Lonely Robot

The story of 3.2, Robert Berry's final album with Keith Emerson

By Nick Shilton published 12 February 23

US prog rocker Robert Berry recalls his friendship with ELP legend Keith Emerson and working with him on 3 and the rebooted 3.2

Gazpacho and the strange saga of Missa Atropos

By Nick Shilton published 24 November 22

Norwegian art rock sextet Gazpacho discuss their 2010 concept album Missa Atropos

Big Big Train and the making of English Electric Part 1

By Nick Shilton published 3 September 22

With a stunning new album, English Electric, and an ever- growing line-up, Big Big Train are powering ahead.

"Size doesn't matter!" How Echolyn made 2012's self-titled echolyn album

By Nick Shilton published 19 June 22

Echolyn guitarist and vocalist Brett Kull discusses 2012's echolyn alb um, the band's first for seven years at the time

Two of a kind: the story of Squackett

By Nick Shilton published 1 June 22

In 2009 old friends Steve Hackett and Chris Squire teamed up to make the lone Squackett album A Life Within A Day

Introducing Meer: the Norwegian pop-proggers you need to hear

By Nick Shilton published 8 April 22

Norwegian chamber prog octet Meer make a quantum leap with their second album, The Playing House

Dracula, Mike Oldfield and Moogs: Magenta visit the dark side on Masters Of Illusion

By Nick Shilton published 8 April 22

Welsh proggers Magenta have returned to their signature sound on Masters Of Illusion. Robert Reed discusses marrying his pop background with prog, horror actors and the perils of social media

Kansas's Phil Ehart on the realities of COVID for the live music scene

By Nick Shilton published 23 August 21

Kansas drummer Phil Ehart explains the financial realities of COVID and socially distanced shows.

The story of Pallas' major label debut The Sentinel

By Nick Shilton published 9 February 21

The Sentinel was supposed to make Pallas stars. Instead it's a tale of ill fortune and a fabled producer whose eye came off the ball

The story of Spock's Beard and Snow

By Nick Shilton published 17 September 20

How the US proggers made sixth album Snow, under the shadow of 9/11 and with their lead singer on the verge of quitting for God!

Rick Wakeman discusses new solo album The Red Planet

By Nick Shilton published 28 August 20

The Red Planet sees keyboard maestro Rick Wakeman go prog with a capital 'P'

John Wetton and me, by friend and Prog writer Nick Shilton

By Nick Shilton published 20 March 17

Nick Shilton was both a fan and a friend of the late John Wetton. He looks back on his friendship with Wetton and the wide-ranging influence of his music

John Wetton - A Personal Tribute

By Nick Shilton last updated 31 January 22

Prog writer Nick Shilton knew John Wetton well for many years. Here he recalls his personal journey with the late musician's output...

Prog rock supergroup Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe in suits against a brown background

The Top 10 Essential 80s Prog Albums

By Nick Shilton last updated 20 September 22

If prog ruled the world in the 1970s, then the 80s found it retreating to take stock. But it still produced some classic albums – and these are the 10 best

Alex Lifeson (left) and Geddy Lee performing with Canadian progressive rock group, Rush, at the Civic Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, during the band's All The World's a Stage tour, 9th December 1976

The 10 Essential 70s Prog Rock Albums

By Nick Shilton last updated 20 September 22

Epic soundtracks with intricate, melodic harmonies or gratuitous, overblown tosh? No other rock genre - even in the 70s - divided opinion like Prog

I, Robot

By Nick Shilton published 6 March 15

Lonely Robot is a solo project featuring a who’s who of prog stars, John Mitchell tells us, “It’s the most refreshing thing I’ve ever done.”

Limelight: Seven Impale

By Nick Shilton published 21 November 14

Youthful proggers bring a heady jazz prog brew from Norway’s west coast.

Marching On

By Nick Shilton published 15 September 14

Prog heavyweights Threshold talk line-up changes, leaving their angsty days behind them and how the creation of the new album was the smoothest yet.

Out Of The Shadows

By Nick Shilton published 2 July 14

Eight years after their promising debut, The Gift have returned from exile with a new album. But can frontman Mike Morton stop thinking he’s “the next Mike Oldfield”?

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