The two albums that paved the way for prog rock according to Ian Anderson

The two albums that paved the way for prog rock according to Ian Anderson

If we talk about progressive music the frontman of Jethro Tull Ian Anderson has more than one title to report his opinion. Over the years, more than once, the 77-year-old British musician has been asked about other artists belonging to this musical genre. In an interview with Classic Rock in 2020, Anderson cited two albums that, in his opinion, showed what progressive rock was, pointing the way for other groups to follow. These two records were both released in 1967.

The first that the leader of the Jethro Tull mentioned was “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (read the review here) of the Beatles. Here’s what he said about it: “There were two seminal albums in 1967 that blazed a trail for people like me in the context of progressive pop. One was, of course, The Beatles’ “Sgt Pepper.”

Anderson’s statement takes on a lot of value because despite having always recognized their greatness he has never been a big fan of the Liverpool band. In an interview with Indeflagration in 2017, when asked what his favorite album by
Beatles
he responded like this: “Wow, you brought me here because I was never a real Beatles fan. I think it’s “Sgt Pepper’s”. For the milestone it represented in pop music (…). They were the musical moments that changed the lives of a generation. Even though I wasn’t a Beatles fan, I think I learned something from ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ in terms of variety, due to its rather surreal nature, was quite meritorious. George Martin was a friend of mine. His role in all of this was very important.”

The second album mentioned by
Ian Anderson
was the debut album of
Pink Floyd “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”
. At that time, he was still playing in the band
Syd Barrett
. Curiously, i
Pink Floyd
they recorded it at Abbey Road studios in London, just when i
Beatles
were recording “Sgt. Pepper.”

Anderson with Classic Rock went on to say: “The other one was overall more surreal and proggy, Pink Floyd’s “Piper at the Gates of Dawn”. Both albums took elements from many different sources and used them in colorful and creative ways. For me, Pink Floyd’s album had more meaning. The Beatles were a pop group. So I thought their stuff was a little contrived, a little cutesy. I liked the songwriting element of Floyd better. Syd Barrett’s songs were strange and fun. They complemented the band’s radical, druggy instrumental material perfectly.”