Help. Was Pink Floyd prog rock?

viz

We are struggling with this at home. 

drofluf

I’d say yes, but probably the struggle you’re having is the eternal existential question “What is Prog?”

which coincidentally is the title of my, surprisingly unrealised, 9 disc song cycle..

VimFuego

.

blobb

They are listed under

Psychedelic/Space Rock

on progarchives. 'Wish you were here' is their highest ranking album: #3 on the Progressive Rock Top Albums list. DSOM is #6, Animals #9.

Definition of Prog and sub-genres: Here.

Whitecat

I feel like they borrowed elements of prog but were not "pure" prog in that sense. Their early-mid career material toes the prog line more than the later stuff of course - 'Meddle' might be their proggiest, but little snippets still show up here and there later on too.

axisus

Prog is a weird genre, because it isn't really a genre. Anyone can write a song that comes under the label of prog but it doesn't make them a prog band.

In answer to the question - most definitely yes. I say this because I hang out a lot in prog places online, and they are one of the 'hallowed' prog bands - Genesis, Yes, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, ELP etc. 

Danny1969

Yeah defo prog rock in my book. 

viz

All you good and lovely-looking people who have said ‘yes’ are right, but keep them coming. We need a lot of evidence here. 

FelineGuitars

Do you have to wear cloaks and wizards hats or doublet and hose to be proper Prog?

Asking for a friend ......

scrumhalf

Maybe in later days but in their post-Syd to WYWH they were progressive, not prog. 

ftumch

I love post Syd era Floyd but I don't really like Prog, at least not any of the other bands mentioned above. Make of that what you will.

proggy

Of course they're prog rock. 

stratman3142

I'd say yes.

digitalkettle

FelineGuitars said:

Do you have to wear cloaks and wizards hats or doublet and hose to be proper Prog?

Asking for a friend ......

How many keyboards did their keyboardist have? Does it satisfy the prog threshold?

viz

This is excellent, cheers folks, and to have the endorsement of @Proggy is definitely going to help. 

digitalkettle

Prefer frog rock meself:

digitalkettle

Or perhaps:

Musicwolf

viz said:

All you good and lovely-looking people who have said ‘yes’ are right, but keep them coming. We need a lot of evidence here. 

C'mon people,  a fellow forumite needs help here.

Yes, of course they're prog and I should know.  I have a First Class Honours Degree in Progressive Rock from Oxford University*

* actually it's a 2.1 in Physics with Electronics and Instrumentation from Leeds University but facts shouldn't be allowed to get in the way of a domestic dispute.

merlin

Prog Floyd.

Proggie McFloyd Face. 

Grumpyrocker

I think Floyd are one of the bands that actually define what prog rock is. You know, those bands that if you're a bit like them, then you're Prog too.

A bit like when people* say things like "Is Black Sabbath really Heavy Metal?". 

*Idiots

ArchtopDave

No……..No.  Pink Floyd existed long before the term “Prog Rock” came into being. I used to go and see them back in the days when they played in a cinema in Cambridge, which had a bit of a stage in front of the screen. You also could just turn up and buy a ticket at the door.