Best Progrock Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 20: Post-Wall Pink Floyd 1:39:04

2+ y ago1:39:04

1:39:04

In this, the final episode of Alexander's Ragtime Band, Jeremy, Elliot and James continue their Pink Floyd discussion from an earlier episode. Previously, they discussed the much-maligned post-Syd to Pre-Dark Side era. Today, they discuss the even more maligned post-Wall era - the 80s were a harsh decade for prog rock legends, that's for sure. Than…

1
Episode 19: Focus, Jon Anderson and The Gong Family 1:26:28

2+ y ago1:26:28

1:26:28

Alexander's Ragtime Band is winding down, so James and Elliot take this chance to rattle off some records and bands that they've always wanted to talk about, but never had the chance to. Elliot is on brand by talking about Jon Anderson, and James stays extremely on brand by talking about Gong non-stop for 20 minutes. Also, Focus.…

1
Episode 18: A Beginner's Guide to Tangerine Dream 1:20:46

3y ago1:20:46

1:20:46

We're going prog-adjacent again to talk about one of our favorite bands, the German electronic music pioneers Tangerine Dream! Elliot and I think that everyone should listen to Tangerine Dream, but with literally hundreds of albums, it can be a bit daunting to get into them. So we thought it would be best to share some recommendations for those who…

1
Episode 17: Mythos & Ekspetion 1:17:37

3y ago1:17:37

1:17:37

Last month, we covered Pink Floyd, who are probably the most successful progressive rock act of all-time. This month we are discussing two bands who are decidedly not some of the biggest acts the genre had to offer; Mythos and Ekseption. But while you've probably never heard of these European obscurities, both Elliot and James think that both bands…

1
Episode 016: Pink Floyd in Transition, 1969-1972 1:22:57

3y ago1:22:57

1:22:57

Pink Floyd started as a psychedelic rock group, and were one of the most important bands of London's underground scene. But after Syd Barrett left the group, the band struggled to find their identity before eventually solidifying themselves as one of the greatest rock bands of all-time. The albums they recorded during this period might not all be g…

1
Episode 015: Aphrodite's Child and 666 1:14:26

3y ago1:14:26

1:14:26

Before Vangelis was known the world over for his scores to films like Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire, he was a member of Aphrodite's Child. The group started out as a rather by-the-numbers psychedelic rock act, but the band went full prog for their final record, a sprawling concept album about the literal end of the world called 666. Elliot and …

1
Episode 014: Manfred Mann's Earth Band and The Roaring Silence 1:38:30

3y ago1:38:30

1:38:30

The plan was to cover Manfred Mann's Earth Band in the same episode as Supertramp, but we talked so much about Supertramp that we couldn't fit Manfred in. And it turns out that we had even more to say about Manfred Mann (the man), Manfred Mann (the band) and Manfred Mann's (the man) Earth Band, so it was a good thing that we dedicated a whole episo…

1
Episode 013: An Interview with Tom Brislin 1:14:16

3y ago1:14:16

1:14:16

Elliot and James are joined today by very special guest Tom Brislin! Having toured with the likes of Meat Loaf, Yes, Camel and Renaissance, Tom is now the keyboardist for the legendary prog rock band Kansas! Tom shares stories about his times with these bands, life on the road as a working musician, and what it's been like being a newer member of o…

1
Episode 012: Supertramp's Breakfast In America 1:44:03

3y ago1:44:03

1:44:03

The original plan here was for Elliot and James to each talk about one album that skirts the line between being prog and not prog, but they both love Supertramp so much that they decided to save the other album for another day. Breakfast In America is a fantastic record! Supertramp are a great band! These are facts that seem to be lost to the annal…

1
Episode 011: The Keyboards of Prog 1:37:53

3+ y ago1:37:53

1:37:53

It's safe to say that without keyboards, progressive rock doesn't exist. And while there have been many different types of keyboards, pianos, and synths that have contributed to the prog rock sound, in this episode we cover the three biggest ones: the Hammond organ, the Mellotron, and early Moogs. Sorry ARP fans, maybe next time.…

1
Episode 010: One Album Wonders 1:29:58

3+ y ago1:29:58

1:29:58

Special guest Dr. Sparkle of Chrontendo fame joins us today to discuss artists who either only released one album, or only one album of any regard. While the past few episodes have featured albums that maybe not all of us were keen on, this episode features three stone-cold prog classics: Affinity's self-titled record, First Base by Babe Ruth, and …

1
Episode 009: A podcast of Yes music minus Jon Anderson 1:25:03

3+ y ago1:25:03

1:25:03

Jon Anderson parted ways with Yes sometime in the early 2000s, but the band has continued without him in the years since, with three LPs and one EP - but should they have? Elliot and James go album by album and parse out which Jon Anderson-less Yes releases are worth your time, and which ones are most certainly not.…

1
Episode 008: Deloused in the Comatorium 56:17

3+ y ago56:17

56:17

This is a backer request from "Itsumi Mario," who wanted us to go in-depth on the bonkers 2001 debut by the Mars Volta, De-Loused in the Comatorium. Despite definitely not being in the wheelhouse of neither Jeremy nor Elliot, we find a lot to talk about with this one; the Mars Volta are a lot of things, but "boring" certainly isn't one of them. I'm…

1
Episode 007: Calling All Stations 1:21:48

3+ y ago1:21:48

1:21:48

With Phil Collins out of the picture, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford decided to carry on, recruiting singer Ray Wilson to join them. The results were Calling All Stations, an album that's...well...not all that great, but there are some hidden gems there, and Ray Wilson was as good singer, dammit, he got a raw deal!…

1
Episode 06: Dipping A Toe 1:31:06

3+ y ago1:31:06

1:31:06

Where do you start with prolific and not-especially-mainstream prog rocks acts like Gentle Giant, Gong, and Hawkwind? Here's our starter advice.

1
Episode 005: We Can Fly (Solo) From Here 1:16:45

4+ y ago1:16:45

1:16:45

Jeremy, Elliot, and James return to talk about the best solo acts by members of popular prog groups. This time, it's a focus on Yes, with Steve Howe's eponymous(-ish) album, Rick Wakeman's "Six Wives of Henry VIII," and Chris Squire's "Fish out of Water".

1
Episode 004: A Tough Act To Swallow 2:04:40

5y ago2:04:40

2:04:40

James, Jeremy, and Elliot do a 180º from their recent positivity to discuss the prog albums and artists they found hardest to learn to enjoy. Featured: ELP's "Brain Salad Surgery", Van der Graaf Generator's "H to H Who am the Only One", and Yes's "90125.

1
Episode 003: Our Prog Intros 1:56:37

5y ago1:56:37

1:56:37

Jeremy, James, and Elliot embark on an epic journey to pay tribute to the albums that got them interested in progressive rock in the first place: "Fragile" by Yes, "Black Noise" by FM, and "Seconds Out" by Genesis.

1
Episode 002: Prog Goes Pop 1:59:20

5y ago1:59:20

1:59:20

James Eldred, Elliot Long, and Jeremy Parish look at the good and bad of crossover hits by prog rock artists: Asia's "Asia," Journey's "Infinity," and Genesis's "Invisible Touch". What happens when art rockers sell out and make a boatload of cash?

1
Episode 001: Origins of Prog 1:48:25

5+ y ago1:48:25

1:48:25

The show begins at the beginning: Jeremy, James, and Elliot defend their personal choices for what qualifies as the first-ever progressive rock album. Is it King Crimson? The Soft Machine? The Moody Blues? Cases are made! Music is played!

1
56: Brian Beebe 28:06

5+ y ago28:06

28:06

By Barstool Rockers

1
55: Mike Levine 11:35

5+ y ago11:35

11:35

By Barstool Rockers

1
54: Desmond Child 15:06

5+ y ago15:06

15:06

Grammy-winning and Emmy nominated songwriter - producer Desmond Child recently eleased DESMOND CHILD LIVE on BMG, a new live album showcasing his global mega-hits recorded at Feinstein’s/54 Below in New York City. Chronicling his monumental career, Child takes the stage with his dynamic band and featured guests as they perform his biggest songs inc…

1
53: John Lodge 15:57

5+ y ago15:57

15:57

John Lodge is bass guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the iconic Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2018 inductees, The Moody Blues. Songwriter of such mega Moody Blues hits from “Ride My SeeSaw,” to “I’m Just A Singer (In A Rock and Roll Band),” “Isn’t Life Strange?” and many more, Lodge has been performing and recording with The Moody Blues for more t…

1
52: Gregg Rolie 14:45

5+ y ago14:45

14:45

Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Gregg Rolie joins us on this episode of the podcast to talk about his new album Sonic Ranch. It’s his first album in quite some time, and he spent a few minutes with us chatting about it. Thanks as always to Anastasia Vishnevsky for our theme music and as always, please consider subscribing to our podcast …

1
51: Robbie Robertson 19:34

5+ y ago19:34

19:34

Inspired by his decades of creating and composing music for film and filled with an enthralling set of songs exploring the darker corridors of human nature, Robbie Robertson’s aptly titled, evocative new solo album Sinematic was released on September 20 via UMe. For his new album, Robertson drew inspiration from his recent film score writing and re…

1
50: Shaun Murphy 22:32

5+ y ago22:32

22:32

It seems appropriate that we publish our 50th episode featuring a singer/songwriter who is celebrating her 50th year on stage. That’s right… She started when she was TWO at the Ann Arbor Blues Fest in 1969. If you’re a Classic Rocker, Shaun Murphy’s voice is one you’ve heard numerous times, but probably don’t realize it. She’s been recording with B…

1
49: Robert Berry 34:01

6y ago34:01

34:01

It’s been awhile since we had a chance to chat with Robert Berry, and he’s been BUSY since last we spoke, to say the least. 3.2 is on tour now, crossing the country and paying tribute to the musical genius of Keith Emerson.. During the conversation we touched on everything from Carl Palmer to what bass strings he uses, to breakfast cereal! Little d…

1
48: David Ellefson 15:14

6y ago15:14

15:14

David Ellefson is one of the coolest guys in Rock & Roll. Aside from being the bass player in Megadeth, he’s also an author and entrepreneur who owns his own coffee company. With names like “Roast in Peace” and the roasts for some of his friends like “Dark & Twisted” (Eddie Ojeda of Twisted Sister), “Get Off Your Ass” (Autograph), “Slave to the Gri…

1
47: Steve Hackett 22:02

6y ago22:02

22:02

We pay tribute to Eddie Money in the intro, recorded on Friday the 13th. Then it's on to a chat with Steve Hackett in which he talks about his coming tour of the US and gives us his views on the potential of a Genesis reunion. Will we see one? He doesn't say no... We were too late to include news of the passing of Ric Ocasek, but we want to extend …

1
46: Lita Ford 18:25

6y ago18:25

18:25

Here’s someone else who has SEEN IT ALL. Lita Ford was first recruited by Kim Fowley to join the all-female band the Runaways and in 1979 she headed out on her own. In 1980, after the breakup of the Runaways, she signed with Mercury Records and released her solo debut: Out For Blood. From there, she continued until 1995, when she went on a hiatus. …

1
45: Denny Laine 23:37

6y ago23:37

23:37

Denny Laine was a co-founding member of the Moody Blues. He left the band in 1966 to form the Electric String Orchestra. From there it was Ginger Baker’s Air Force. Along the way, he got to know Paul McCartney musically and personally and after some other projects, it was on to help form Wings with Paul and Linda. He left Wings in 1981 and kept a f…

1
44: Dave Clark (on Freddie Mercury) 15:03

6y ago15:03

15:03

If you haven’t seen Bohemian Rhapsody, see it. This story picks up mere months after Queen’s iconic performance at Live Aid, when Freddie Mercury was recruited by his dear friend, Dave Clark (Dave Clark 5) to record a track for a star-studded concept album based on “Time”: A sci-fi, rock musical written by Clark. A few months later, Freddie Mercury…

1
43: Lou Gramm 17:15

6y ago17:15

17:15

There’s not a lot we can say about Lou Gramm that you don’t already know. As a youngster he sang and played drums for his band Black Sheep that released a single called “Stick Around.” On tour with KISS, an icy accident claimed their equipment truck and the lack of ability to support its albums with live performances caused the band to disband. Alo…

1
42: Corky Laing 13:18

6y ago13:18

13:18

Corky Laing started his life in 1948 as the youngest of five siblings in Montreal, Canada. His early bands enjoyed a good local following, opened for many of the popular British invasion acts and, ultimately, got a record deal with Atlantic Records in New York. Through the teenage summers, his band was a regular on the Island of Nantucket, Massachu…

1
41: Alice Cooper 19:24

6y ago19:24

19:24

He needs no introduction. His side project, The Hollywood Vampires, just released a new album entitled RISE. He's heading out with his own band on the "Ol' Black Eyes Is Back" tour in a few days and he was just in the news for being part of a supposed death pact with his wife of 45 years. Alice Cooper is one of the main-stays of rock music and the …

1
40: Ed Roland / Collective Soul 14:19

6y ago14:19

14:19

2019 is proving to be a bright and shiny 25th anniversary year for Atlanta multi-Platinum rockers COLLECTIVE SOUL, and they’ll be celebrating their ongoing legacy in all-out style with a little bit of the old and a lot of the new. They’re in it for the long haul and are gearing up to keep the party going. Thanks as always to Anastasia Vishnevsky fo…

1
39: Chuck Garric 19:19

6y ago19:19

19:19

Chuck Garric is one of the hardest-working bass players in rock music today. Not only has he toured and played a key role in Alice Cooper's band since 2002, he also fronts his own band, Beastö Blancö, alongside Calico Cooper. He has also co-written songs for Alice Cooper. A Nashville native, Chuck has played with a with Turd, The Druts, L.A. Guns, …

1
38: Begin the Begin / Robert Dean Lurie 12:19

6y ago12:19

12:19

Begin the Begin is the first biography of R.E.M. wholly researched and written since they disbanded in 2011. It offers by far the most detailed account of the group's formative years--their early lives, their first encounters with one another, their legendary debut show, early tours in the back of a van, initial recordings, their shrewdly paced ris…

1
37: Rick Nielsen / Cheap Trick 20:48

6y ago20:48

20:48

If Rick Nielsen weren’t one of rock and roll’s most colorful and accomplished characters in real life, there’s no way to have dreamed him up. A homemade cartoon figure who is also a down-to-earth family man. A superlative guitarist who makes it look like a goof onstage. An inveterate joker whose best-known song is a sincere request for love. You th…

1
36: Mick Box / Uriah Heep 31:47

6y ago31:47

31:47

A “proper rock show” is what Mick Box is promising on the upcoming Uriah Heep tour, as they support Judas Priest through mid 2019. The band’s 25 album / 50 year path gave us SO MUCH to talk about with Mick and the whole time, it felt like we had known him for years. We chat about writing, touring, balancing family with rock & roll, recording ‘old s…

1
34: Don Felder 12:41

6y ago12:41

12:41

He played a role in one of the most epic guitar solos EVER. His double-neck guitar is in the New York City Metropolitan Museum’s Play It Loud: Instruments of Rock & Roll exhibition. He took a little time out while he was in New York City for the opening of that exhibition to chat with Finn about his new album, American Rock ‘n’ Roll, his legendary …

1
33: Michael Schenker 10:49

6y ago10:49

10:49

Michael Schenker is a changed man. With a career stretching back to 1969, the German guitar virtuoso is an artist for whom the term ‘volatile’ has sometimes seemed invented. Recorded with singers and musicians associated with Michael in previous decades, the aptly-titled Resurrection sees Schenker embracing his past to build something fresh and exc…

1
32: Uli John Roth 20:39

6y ago20:39

20:39

Uli Jon Roth is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever. He is one of the last greats who is still around to present his magical style of playing which he already forged in the late Sixties when he was still in his teens. Uli played his first ever show in December 1968 - at the age of 13 - and to celebrate his upcoming 50th Stage…

1
31: Jesse Colin Young 17:49

6y ago17:49

17:49

With songs like Darkness, Darkness, Lightshine, Sunlight, Sugarbabe, Songbird and The Youngblood's version of Get Together, Jesse Colin Young has influenced and shaped the character of American music for over 50 years. Jesse Collin Young has a new album out called Dreamers, and spent some time chatting w/ Finn. Thanks to Anastasia Vishnevsky for ou…

1
30: Jim Breuer 11:22

6y ago11:22

11:22

Jim Breuer had some spare time on his hands so he spent a few minutes talking with Finn. His new album, "Jim Breuer: Live From Portland" just arrived. It was recorded at Helium Comedy Club and features 14 brand new tracks, were Breuer shares stories from his recent tour with Metallica, aging, and the best part about getting a colonoscopy. Thanks to…

1
29: Danny Goldberg / Serving the Servant 15:42

6+ y ago15:42

15:42

“Serving The Servant: Remembering Kurt Cobain,” an amazing read from Danny Goldberg is out today on the 25th anniversary of the passing of Kurt Cobain. The Nirvana manager from 1990-1995 had a chance to spend a few minutes talking to Finn In the book he shares his memories of his brief but momentous time with Kurt and the band, with candor, honesty…

1
28: Carl Palmer's Prog Rock Camp 18:29

6+ y ago18:29

18:29

Carl Palmer took a few minutes to chat with us about his upcoming Prog Rock Camp in November, along with some chatting about Asia, ELP, and other projects he’s been involved with over his illustrious career. Acclaimed British Rock Musician Carl Palmer (solo artist and founding member of EMERSON LAKE & PALMER and ASIA) To Launch First Annual Musical…

1
27: Rock Hall '19 Induction w/ Sal Cirrincione 25:14

6+ y ago25:14

25:14

Our buddy Sal joined us on the podcast this morning after attending the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony over the weekend. We got his perspective on how things went and what folks have to look forward to when they see select portions on HBO. We also planned a trip to hang out and watch Baseball. A native of Brooklyn, New York, Sal Cirrin…

1
26: Robin Trower 10:36

6+ y ago10:36

10:36

There are legends and then there are legends. Robin Trower is BOTH. He played with Procul Harum and fronts his own power trio that will be visiting the Pabst Theater in Milwaukee on April 14th. He has a new album out too called Coming Closer to the Day on which he plays all the musical instruments (sans drums) and provides the vocals. Robin had jus…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Progrock Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide