Who was the Band Rare Bird?

Rare Bird was a British Progressive rock band active from 1968 to 1974.   They are best known for their hit single "Sympathy."

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Although they were an English band, Rare Bird found its greatest success in the other countries of Europe.  In an interesting side note, ten years after the breakup of Rare Bird, their keyboardist, Dave Kaffinette, appeared as the Viv, the keyboardist for the fictional band Spinal Tap.

Who Was the Gentle Giant Band?

Gentle Giant was a progressive rock band from England active from 1970 to 1980.   While never a commercial success, Gentle Giant was well known for the sophistication of their songs and the high level of talent in its band members.

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Gentle Giant released a total of 11 studio albums the most successful of which was "Free Hand" which peaked at #75 in the US.   Their songs were noted for musical innovation and unusual chord structures.   

Gentle Giant is often considered to be similar to early Genesis or King Crimson.

Who was the band Eclection

Eclection was a progressive rock/folk band from England active from 1967 to 1969.  The released one album "eclection" in 1968.

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it is noteworthy that while Eclection recorded and played in England, only one of the original members were British.  Georg Kajanus was Norwegian, Michael Rosen was Canadian, and Trevor Lucas and Kerrilee Male were Australians.  The only Brit. in the Eclection lineup was drummer Jerry Conway. 

Who Were The Soft Machine Band?

The long lived (1966 - 1984) Soft Machine were a progressive rock band from Canterbury, England.

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Although never a commercially successful band, Soft Machine's Songs and style were instrumental in the development of progressive rock.  The Soft Machine was somewhat self limiting due to frequent changes in membership.  By 1972 only one original member was still with the group and they had an entirely new line up by 1976.

Soft Machine is considered to be a part of the Canterbury Progressive rock movement. 

Who Were The Incredible String Band

The incredible string band was a psychedelic folk band out of Scotland active from 1966 to 1974.  They were famous for integrating traditional instruments with acid rock or progressive rock themes.  The odd sensibility of their music built them a regular following.

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The high point of their career came when they were invited to play Woodstock.  The Incredible String Band reformed in the 1990s and played together until 2006

Who are Colosseum?

Colosseum are a Jazz rock improv. band from England.

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Formed in 1968 and still performing today, Colosseum is know primarily as a live act and frequently releases live recordings.   They have had several changes in members over the years and are sometimes associated with the progressive rock movement. 

Who Was the Progressive Rock Band Egg?

Egg was a short lived progressive rock trio out of Canterbury, England active from 1968 to 1972.   They release two albums, "Egg," and "The Polite Force" while together, a third album of unreleased material "The Civil Surface" was released in 1974 after the group had already split.

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Egg is maybe most remembered for their remake of Bach's Fugue in D Minor as a progressive rock piece.  It's really not half bad.

Interestingly, the full crew of Egg appeared on the Progressive rock album "Arzachel," but, because they were under contract at the time, they all appeared using pseudonyms

What Ever Happened to Van Deer Graf Generator?

Van Deer Graf Generator was an English Progressive Rock band formed in 1967 and disbanded in 1972 though they have twice re-formed since then an are playing together now.

Van Deer Graf Generator are noted for their use of an electronically altered saxophone.  While never a commercial success in the United States, the band was very popular in Italy.

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Who Was Atomic Rooster

Atomic Rooster was a British band active intermittently from 1969 to 1983.  They feature a total of 11 band members during that time with only one, Vincent Crane, staying with the group the entire time.

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The band was noted for frequent, radical changes in sound as group members came and went but they are generally considered prog. rock.   They were in the charts twice both times in Britain and both times were in 1971.  The tracks were, "Tomorrow Night" and "The Devil's Answer."   

Keyboardist and front man Vince Crane had had a number one hit earlier as member of The Crazy World of Vince Brown.  

The band reportedly got its name because it formed during the year of the Rooster on the Chinese calendar.