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Combining a driving rhythm, early electronics and sci-fi imagery, Hawkwind lay claim to being the ultimate space rock band. Coming from the underground scene in London's Ladbroke Grove, their success during the 70s - every album charted in the UK - was made the old fashioned way, through touring; if ever a band could lay the claim, Hawkwind were indeed a band for "the people". Despite constant lineup changes, their forte was live gigs (often playing for free), yet they managed a bonafide hit single with 1972's "Silver Machine", featuring future Motorhead Lemmy on vocals. The band remains best known for their run of albums on the United Artists label during the early to mid 70s, but also noteworthy is their later work that decade on Charisma, featuring Robert Calvert as front-man. In many shapes and forms, Hawkwind continue to this day.

Cutting their teeth in Ladbroke Grove and on the UK's free festival circuit, Here & Now gained notoriety for their collaboration with Daevid Allen and Gilli Smyth of Gong.

A mainstay in the progressive scene, Steve Hillage's earliest work goes back to the Middle Earth club in the late 60s with Arzachel, playing alongside bands like Pink Floyd and Tomorrow. After a break to attend University, Hillage returned to music, first returning (ever so briefly) with Dave Stewart for the eponymous Kahn album before joining Kevin Ayers' Decadence. From there, he would spend the next three years in the classic Gong trilogy line-up where he would meet future partner Miquette Giraudy. In the mid 70s he departed Gong for a successful solo career which carried him into the early 80s. Hillage then turned to production, working with several of Virgin's "new wave" acts' seminal releases. By the 90s, he would return to performing, but this time inspired by the burgeoning techno scene. System 7 carries on to this day.

One of the progressive era's most recognizable guitarists, Allan Holdsworth has had a journeyman's career in the music world. During the 70s, he played for Igginbottom, Sunship, Nucleus, Tempest, Gong, The New Tony Williams Lifetime, Jean Luc Ponty, Soft Machine, U.K., and Bruford.

Former Strawbs members had a string of hits in the mid 70s, before emigrating to Canada.

Fronted by Mike Heron and Robin Williamson, The Incredible String Band were one of the earliest folk bands to incorporate psychedelic music into their sound. Massively influential, the band were a major live attraction.

Gary Boyle's jazz-rock fusion band.

Lee Jackson's post-Nice, pre-Refugee band.

Led by Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull was the first group from the progressive era to score resounding chart success. Originally their music was based in rhythm and blues, but punctuated with Anderson's flute playing and larger-than-life stage persona. By Thick As A Brick, the band would provide the ultimate concept album: one song spread over both sides of the album, housed in a newspaper-facsimile record jacket. By the mid-70s, the bands work become more formulaic, but fan favorites were just around the corner, as the folk-roots of Songs For The Wood would attest. Throughout numerous personal changes, Anderson would remain the constant link to their success.

Along with a US Top 50, the single "I Hear You Now" rose to the UK Top 10, propelling Jon & Vangelis' first album to a UK No 4. The duo - balancing successful solo careers simultaneously - would continue their success until Anderson rejoined Yes in 1983.