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Thread: Is this the dawn of progressive rock?

  1. #1
    Member AncientChord's Avatar
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    Is this the dawn of progressive rock?

    Steppenwolf-The Pusher, live at The Matrix, San Francisco, 1966

    Starts out with a scary improvisation before going into the song itself. They say prog developed from psychedelia, and if so this is a prime example. I wonder if Michael Giles owned this album? I wonder how much acid and weed was consumed that night? The improv starts to jell at the 2 minute mark, then really gets wild after 3 minutes until it starts to morph with The Pusher at around 13 minutes. It also sounds to me like the band was channeling Pink Floyd telepathically from a smoky underground London club thousands of miles away. Anyway to these old prog-ears this recording sounds to me like some dark prog. What's your thoughts?

    Last edited by AncientChord; 03-11-2016 at 03:42 AM.
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  2. #2
    That's Mr. to you, Sir!! Trane's Avatar
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    My fave Steppenwolf track for sure

    This version is wild.
    Last edited by Trane; 03-11-2016 at 05:46 AM.
    my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.

  3. #3
    Member Steve F.'s Avatar
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    That's pretty damn cosmic for 1966. I liked it!
    Steve F.

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    Member davis's Avatar
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    Member rcarlberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by AncientChord View Post
    Anyway to these old prog-ears this recording sounds to me like some dark prog. What's your thoughts?
    I think the band probably was 'feeling no pain' when they recorded this. The song is, afterall, about drugs.

  6. #6
    I'm here for the moosic NogbadTheBad's Avatar
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    Probably my favorite Steppenwolf, very psyche, terrific stuff, it's probably not a bad place to start.
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    1966 was certainly the first year of psych, just as 1965 was the first year of rock, just as 1957 was the first year of white boy British blues.

  8. #8
    Progga mogrooves's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by NogbadTheBad View Post
    very psyche
    This.
    Hell, they ain't even old-timey ! - Homer Stokes

  9. #9
    I still say the dawn of prog can be found on Jerry Goldsmith’s theme tune to John Frankenheimer’s Seconds (1966):



    At the very least, it’s the dawn of the Canterbury sound, as I believe this is the first recording to feature an overdriven Hammond organ.
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  10. #10
    Member StevegSr's Avatar
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    No, it's in the era of Psych Rock.
    To be or not to be? That is the point. - Harry Nilsson.

  11. #11
    That's actually not Steppenwolf. It's The Sparrow. It's from an album "Early Steppenwolf" that came out after they made it big. I much prefer side one, but this is pretty cool. But, I don't consider it very proggy. More like a loose and kinda sloppy psych improv that turns into "The Pusher." The recording was actually made by the club owner hanging a microphone from the ceiling.

    Still, it's one of my favorite bands. Although I consider the dawn of progressive music to be "Strawberry Fields Forever." Sure, you might find earlier pieces that are proggy. But SFF was the first to hit the mainstream and put a clear stake in the ground.
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    Moderator Sean's Avatar
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    This is the dawning of the age of asparagus!

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    facetious maximus Yves's Avatar
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    Asparagus! As-para-gus!
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  14. #14
    Disparagus! Dis-para-gus!!

  15. #15
    1966 stuff:

    "East/West" - Paul Butterfield Blues Band
    "Help, I'm a Rock" - MOI
    "Return of the Son of Monster Magnet" - MOI

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by Facelift View Post
    1966 stuff:

    "East/West" - Paul Butterfield Blues Band
    Great track, but, personally, I don't consider that prog.
    "The White Zone is for loading and unloading only. If you got to load or unload go to the White Zone!"

  17. #17
    That's Mr. to you, Sir!! Trane's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sean View Post
    This is the dawning of the age of asparagus!
    Quote Originally Posted by Yves View Post
    Asparagus! As-para-gus!
    Let the Moonshine out!!
    my music collection increased tenfolds when I switched from drug-addicts to complete nutcases.

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