1960s

With a career spanning several decades and dozens of musical styles, David Bowie remains the man that put art into art rock. His "Berlin Trilogy" with Brian Eno should be of keen interest to fans of the progressive era.

Founded: 1947

Location: Brixton, London, England

Website: David Bowie

Arthur Brown is best known for his 1967 world-wide number one single, "Fire" and its classic soundbite, "I am the god of hellfire". Having spent 1966 in Paris perfecting his stage craft, he returned to London to redefine rock theatrics. He would never reach those commerical heights again, despite a plethora of projects, including his vastly underrated prog band Kingdom Come.

Founded: 1942

Location: Whitby, Yorkshire, England

Website: Arthur Brown Official Webpage

Dubbed "the world's most original rock band" by the British music press, Can are simply without peer.

Founded: 1968

Location: Cologne, Germany

Website: The Official CAN / Spoon Records Website

Originally the Stormsville Shakers, the band morphed into Circus when leader Phillip Goodhand-Tait left the band in 1969. They earned their stripes with a residency at the Marquee Club in Soho and providing a start for Mel Collins, undoubtedly the one of the star instrumentalists of the progressive era.

Founded: 1968

Location: London, England