The five best prog-rock albums from the 1960s
“I would presume that people would accept this definition,” Frank Zappa once spoke about the bands he believes are prog rock, and in doing so, tried to define the genre that remains relatively elusive. “Progressive rock is anything that doesn’t sound like regular rock. Regular rock is everything that sounds like itself. All songs which sound the same, everything on MTV, everything on the radio, that’s rock. Progressive rock is stuff that doesn’t like that.”
Zappa’s definition is pretty good; it seems that as time continues and bands grow more experimental, more and more musical outfits are creating art that falls within the realm of prog rock. This is because there is greater experimentation on offer that rock bands are taking advantage of, and it makes for some great listening.
While we struggle to define the genre, we don’t struggle pinpointing when it began. Rock music became a mainstream genre in the ‘60s, and while it cemented itself as a pivitol part of the industry, more experimental artists were gearing up to twist and contort that cemented sound towards the end of the decade. From around 1966 to 1970, some of the first prog rock albums were released, and they still hold up as exciting listens to this day.
Given that the ’60s is the decade when the genre first started to find its feet, it begs the question: what are the greatest prog rock albums from the 1960s?
The best prog rock albums from the ‘60s
King Crimson – ‘In The Court of the Crimson King’
The word “timeless” is thrown around a lot in music, some would argue too much, but within the world of prog rock, it applies to more albums than usual, given the unconventional way in which so many records are made. One of the albums where the timeless label is applied most is In The Court of the Crimson King.
King Crimson really managed to tap into something special with this record. Released in 1969, the album still sounds ahead of its time in 2025. The number of instruments used, the chaotic structure of the record and the unrelenting energy are unlike any other piece of music ever released.
Yes – ‘Yes’
Yes are a band whose versatile sound is only reflected in their versatile lineup. 19 people in total have been able to call themselves a full-time member of the band at some point, and this means that when you look through their catalogue, you see a great deal of sounds touched upon.
As one of the greatest prog rock bands of all time, it seems only right to include them on this list. Choosing their best record is tricky, but one of their only offerings in the ‘60s was their self-titled debut. Released in 1969, this album represents the beginning of what would prove to be one of the best rock bands in the world.
The Mothers of Invention – ‘Uncle Meat’
Frank Zappa was one of the most inventive and passionate creators in music. He released plenty of work as a solo artist and a part of his band, the Mothers of Invention. Given that he defined what prog rock was, he was a master in it, and the album Uncle Meat is a great example of that.
It was Zappa’s seventh offering, but his creativity was already seeping through in spades. Uncle Meat is an unpredictable and enjoyable listen that sits comfortably in his definition of prog rock. Orchestral music, blues, jazz and rock all build up together to create one of the most exciting records available.
The Moody Blues – ‘Days of Future Passed’
Pinning down the prog rock genre is difficult. It’s unlike other genres where someone developed the sound and then it was recognised as much, it was instead the result of people enjoying rock music but trying to push boundaries. Definitively saying when that started is tricky, but The Moody Blues are credited as one of the earliest bands to dabble in the genre with their record Days of Future Passed.
The album represents a turning point not only for the band but for prog rock as a whole, as other musical outfits picked up on the special talent on display throughout the record, which opened a new door for lovers of rock music. The psychedelic components of this album are addictive and still hold up almost six decades after its release.
The Soft Machine – ‘The Soft Machine’
There is going to be a debate about which of the band’s albums from the ‘60s were the best. Granted, Volume Two is a great piece of music, but this writer thinks their self-titled record just edges it. Released in 1968, this is another album which is a perfect listen for any fans of prog rock.
This was also a pivotal piece of music when you look back at the history books of prog rock. It acted as a blueprint for other bands, as the inclusion of jazz into the mix of rock was welcome and seamless.
