Some 411 re: American prog rock bands

[White Knight]

Please excuse my ignorance in this matter, but when I think of "progressive rock" groups, I only associate the term with British or Irish ( i.e. U2). Perhaps it is because since I began to really get into the genre of rock in general, the groups from Britain such as the Beatles, Stones and Who (anybody out there old enough to remember the first "British Invasion" of the mid sixties will know what I mean), have always to me signified a more advanced and intellectual approach to this music than any American group or individual artist on the scene at that time. Am I mistaken in not being able to identify any American bands of that time or later who could more or less be considered on the same "progressive" level as their British counterparts?. I have been trying to figure out whether Grand Funk Railroad and its song " I'm Your Captain" or "Surf"s Up" by the Beach Boys would meet the "criteria" of "progressive rock". Perhaps Nirvana and their output? Any enlightenment that can be shed on this for me would be much appreciated. Again, I am much embarrassed by my lack of knowledge in this area. Ciao for now--White Knight.

[White Knight]

Upon further reflection on my part after I had submitted my thread re American progressive rock groups, I came up with Journey and Santana. I would welcome further input on this question from other members.

[White Knight]

I was wondering if the bands Boston and Kansas are considered to be progressive rock groups

[teddy]

Santana. Definitely. Have a couple of vinyl albums which I have not played for ages.

teddy

[White Knight]

Santana. Definitely. Have a couple of vinyl albums which I have not played for ages.

teddy

Good choice, Teddy; I had forgotten about Carlos and his eponymous group.

[Art Rock]

Kansas is an obvious prog band, Santana, Styx, Doors and Steely Dan are borderline cases. Boston, Journey, Foreigner, Grand Funk Railroad: no.

[White Knight]

Kansas is an obvious prog band, Santana, Styx, Doors and Steely Dan are borderline cases. Boston, Journey, Foreigner, Grand Funk Railroad: no.

Art Rock, Hi and how are you. I am really interested in your answer--and especially--as regards Grand Funk Railroad, find myself in agreement with you; aside from " Closer to Home" I could really not think of any other songs they did which would "qualify" them for the progressive tag. However, I am a little confused about your assessments re: Santana, The Doors and Steely Dan. If not progressive, how would you categorize these bands--what's on the other side of that borderline? As well, how would you typify Boston and Journey?

[White Knight]

What about The James Gang in this context of American "progressive rock" then?