1980s

Pretty Things, The

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One of the 60s most underrated bands. From their badder than bad, raucous R&B early in their career, the band shifted gears in the underground, first with freakbeat then psychedelia. Their tenure at Abby Road, recording with Norman Smith, ranks as some of the greatest music created in Britain in the 60s. Yes, it really is that good.

Founded: 1963

Location: London, England

Website: The Pretty Things

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Reichel, Achim

One of Germany's most legendary musicians, Achim Reichel's career started in 1960 with The Rattles, one of the countries first beat-era bands. The 70s saw him delve into the progressive music scene, first as A.R. & Machines, and then later as a record producer. Reichel's long and successful career as a solo artist started in 1976 with an album of seafaring songs, appropriately enough for the Hamburg native.

Founded: 1944

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Website: Achim Reichel

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Achim Reichel

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Renaissance

Mark II, this version of Renaissance starts with Michael Dunford, and features the vocals of Annie Haslam.

Founded: 1969

Location: London, England

Website: Renaissance » Band

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Residents, The

Though the members of The Residents were perpetually draped in obscurity, their music rose steadily to the forefront of avant-rock in their native America. Found-sounds, tape cut-ups, occasional musical passages (!), and some of the most obtuse vocals committed to record charm their many albums, all released by San Francisco-based Ralph Records.

Founded: 1972

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana

Website: The Residents

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Rother, Michael

Guitarist, sound architecht and composer, Michael Rother is one of Germany's original artists of the progressive era. In the mid 1960s, he was a member of Spirits of Sound with Wolfgangs' Flür and Reichemann, then a member of Kraftwerk, Neu!, and Harmonia until forging a very successful solo career (with Jaki Liebizeit and Conny Plank) towards the late 1970s through the early 1980s.

Founded: 1950

Location: Hamburg, Germany

Website: MichaelRother

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Roxy Music

Though definitely a glam band at heart, Roxy Music served as a training ground and employer of many "progressive" musicians.

Founded: 1970

Location: Newcastle, England

Website: ROXY MUSIC - The Official Site

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Rush

Canada's finest sons. From their early days copping Led Zep riffs, through the kimono "prog" era, and onto mainstream acceptance and platinum success in the 80s, Rush has defied all odds, remaining true to their spirit, music and fans.

Founded: 1969

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Website: Rush | HOME

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Rutherford, Mike

Founding member of Genesis released two solo albums in the early 80s, before venturing off the progressive map with the hugely successful Mike + The Mechanics side project.

Founded: 1950

Location: Guildford, Surrey

Website: Mike and The Mechanics

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Schnitzler, Conrad

Along with Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Conrad Schnitzler was a founder of the Zodiak Free Arts Club, the birthplace of the so-called "Berlin School" of electronic music, and perhaps krautrock in general. In 1969, with Edgar Froese and Klaus Schulze, he appeared on the debut Tangerine Dream album, Electronic Meditation. Next, with Roedelius and Dieter Moebius he performed as Kluster. However as typical throughout his career, Schnitzler's music at this time was primarily performance art in nature.

Founded: 1937

Location: Düsseldorf, Germany

Website: Conrad Schnitzler

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Schulze, Klaus

A once member of Tangerine Dream, Ash Ra Tempel, Cosmic Couriers, and Richard Wahnfried, Klaus Schulze is one of the world's premiere and prolific electronic musicians.

Founded: 1947

Location: Berlin, Germany

Website: Klaus Schulze - The Official Website

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