Pink Floyd is a classic rock band that has been around since the 1960s and is known for its psychedelic and progressive rock sounds. They achieved international success and became one of the most successful and influential bands in the history of popular music, selling more than 250 million records worldwide.
The band was founded by students Syd Barrett, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, and Richard Wright in 1964. They are one of the most well-known bands globally, naturally, their sound is often imitated, copied, or used as inspiration.
Here are ten bands like Pink Floyd.
Contents
1. Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Emerson, Lake & Palmer were a progressive rock band formed in 1970. They are known for their complex compositions, innovative instrumentals, and eclectic style. Emerson, Lake & Palmer achieved commercial success in the 1970s and have been cited as an influence by many other bands.
2. King Crimson
Like Pink Floyd, King Crimson had a huge influence on the progressive rock genre in the 70s. The British band was formed in 1968 and is still active today.
Their music is often described as dark, heavy, and brooding, and they are known for their complex compositions and improvisational skills. Robert Fripp has been the only constant member of the band since its formation in 1968.
3. Yes
Yes is another successful progressive rock band that was founded in 1968. They are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, and symphonic sound. The band is known for hit songs like “Roundabout” and “I’ve Seen All Good People.” Their sound underwent several changes throughout their career. Yes has sold more than 30 million records globally.
4. The Alan Parsons Project
The Alan Parsons Project is a British progressive rock band founded in 1975. The band is known for its eclectic style, including elements of pop, rock, jazz, and classical music. They are best known for their hit songs “Eye in the Sky” and “Sirius,” which have been used extensively in film, television, and sports, famously by the Chicago Bulls.
The band achieved critical and commercial success in the 1970s and 1980s. The Alan Parsons Project released ten studio albums before disbanding in 1990.
5. Genesis
Genesis is a progressive rock band known for its complex compositions, innovative instrumentals, and theatrical live shows. Formed in 1967, they were one of the most popular bands of the 1970s and 1980s, selling more than 100 million records worldwide. Genesis was one of the first bands to be described as “progressive rock,” and they have been a major influence on the genre.
They achieved critical and commercial success in the 1970s and 1980s with hits like “I Can’t Dance” and “Invisible Touch.” Phil Collins, the drummer and lead singer for Genesis, went on to have an extraordinarily successful solo career.
6. Rush
Rush is a Canadian progressive rock band formed in 1968. They are known for their complex compositions, innovative instrumentals, and distinctive vocal style. Their musical style has changed considerably over the years, but they have always been a progressive rock band at heart.
Rush has been highly influential in the world of rock music, and they are one of the best-selling bands of all time, selling more than 40 million records worldwide. Rush has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and has won several Juno Awards.
7. Camel
Camel was formed in 1971; they are a British progressive rock band. They are best known for their album “The Snow Goose”, released in 1975, achieving mainstream success.
Camel is considered one of the pioneers of the progressive rock genre, and they have been cited as an influence by many other bands. The band has released 14 studio albums throughout their career.
8. Transatlantic
Transatlantic is a progressive rock supergroup formed in 1999. The band comprises members from various successful progressive rock bands, including Spock’s Beard, Marillion, and Dream Theater. They are known for their lengthy songs and complex arrangements; their music incorporates elements of progressive rock, jazz, metal, and classical music elements.
9. Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull is a British progressive rock band that was founded in 1967. The band’s music is known for unusual time signatures, intricate arrangements, and distinctive flute playing. They are one of the most successful progressive rock bands, having sold more than 60 million records worldwide.
Jethro Tull achieved mainstream success in the 1970s with hit songs like “Aqualung” and “Locomotive Breath.” The band has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards and has won many prestigious music awards.
10. Marillion
Marillion is a British progressive rock band formed in 1979. The band is known for their dark and dynamic music, which often deals with themes of isolation and despair.
Marillion achieved mainstream success in the 1980s with the release of their album “Misplaced Childhood”, which topped charts in the UK. The band has released 20 studio albums and sold more than 15 million records worldwide.
Conclusion
Pink Floyd is one of the most well-known and influential progressive rock bands in history. They had a tremendous impact on the music industry, and many bands that followed in Pink Floyd’s footsteps are featured here. If you’re a fan of Pink Floyd’s music, then you’re sure to enjoy the bands on this list.
Pink Floyd Featured Image by: National Archives at College Park, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/ROCK_CONCERT._%28FROM_THE_SITES_EXHIBITION._FOR_OTHER_IMAGES_IN_THIS_ASSIGNMENT%2C_SEE_FICHE_NUMBERS_42%2C_97.%29_-_NARA_-_553890.jpg
Emerson, Lake & Palmer Image by: Jean-Luc, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
King Crimson Image by: Masahiro TAKAGI, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Yes Image by: ARMcgrath, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The Alan Parsons Project Image by: RocknRollLove, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Genesis Image by: ~Andrew St.Denis, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Rush Image by: Enrico Frangi, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Camel Image by: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Transatlantic Image by: Michael Hanselmann – http://www.michaelhanselmann.de, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Jethro Tull Image by: Silverije, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Marillion Image by: Lrheath, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
