The world of progressive rock is filled with legendary names that resonate in the music industry, despite the fact that the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame largely overlooked this vibrant genre for nearly 15 years after Pink Floyd was inducted in 1996. It was only a matter of time before iconic bands such as Genesis, Rush, Yes, and The Moody Blues received the recognition they deserved, ultimately being inducted between 2010 and 2018, marking a significant acknowledgment of their contributions to music.

However, many deserving artists still wait in the wings for their moment in the spotlight, from King Crimson to Jethro Tull. Moreover, what about the numerous progressive rock acts that have somehow fallen through the cracks of history? For every well-known, platinum-selling band like Kansas or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, there exists a multitude of underrated yet influential groups that never managed to break into the Billboard Top 40 list.

READ MORE: Explore the Top 50 Progressive Rock Songs that defined the genre.

Some of these bands made attempts to achieve mainstream success, which occasionally resulted in cringeworthy moments, while others openly stated their indifference towards the trappings of fame. What could be more emblematic of progressive rock than that attitude?

Many groups remained obscure, possibly due to being ahead of their time, paving the way for future artists to gain greater recognition. In other cases, they may have simply been a bit too unconventional for widespread acceptance.

The following list highlights five remarkable prog rock bands that truly deserved more acclaim than they received:

5. Can: The Pioneers of Experimental Sound

Labeling Can merely as a “progressive rock” band does a disservice to their vast and varied sound. Their music is a groundbreaking fusion of Krautrock hypnotic grooves, intricate sound collages, elements of jazz, psychedelic rock, and an avant-garde aesthetic that can be difficult to describe. Keyboardist Irmin Schmidt has even posed the question of whether they could be classified as a rock group at all. Yet, progressive rock is known for its diversity, and Can certainly contributed to the genre’s evolving composition style with their acclaimed albums, including 1971’s Tago Mago and 1973’s Future Days. By the late ’70s and early ’80s, their innovative sound experiments laid the groundwork for the emergence of post-punk and new wave music.

4. Camel: The Unsung Heroes of Progressive Rock

Camel boasts connections to renowned bands such as King Crimson, 10cc, and The Alan Parsons Project, but they never attained the same level of recognition or commercial success. In the United States, their highest-charting album was 1976’s Moonmadness, which peaked at No. 118. Nevertheless, Camel achieved five Top 40 albums in the U.K., with 1979’s I Can See Your House From Here narrowly missing the cut. The band’s sound is heavily defined by the deeply emotive guitar work of Andrew Latimer, who has remained a constant presence throughout their lineup changes. This stability allowed Camel to evolve from their high-concept prog roots in the 1970s to explore jazz influences in the 1980s and then return to their progressive roots.

3. Soft Machine: A Musical Chameleon of the Progressive Era

Soft Machine serves as an intriguing counterpart to King Crimson, as both bands featured a revolving door of talented musicians. Throughout their history, notable members included Robert Wyatt, Kevin Ayers, Alan Holdsworth, and Daevid Allen. The band transitioned into an all-instrumental powerhouse with the release of 1971’s groundbreaking album Fourth, fully embracing the fusion of psych rock, prog, and jazz rock. However, the frequent lineup changes led to the departure of all original members by the early ’80s. Soft Machine also spawned numerous offshoot bands, all sharing the prefix “Soft,” which perhaps contributed to their struggle to gain mainstream traction while keeping their sound diverse and engaging.

2. Van der Graaf Generator: The Dark Poets of Progressive Rock

Interestingly, Van der Graaf Generator never achieved significant popularity in the U.K., with their highest chart position being No. 47 for the 1970 album The Least We Can Do Is Wave to Each Other. Instead, their initial breakthrough occurred in Italy, which suited frontman Peter Hammill just fine, as he never aspired to mainstream success. His artistic vision was reflected in the band’s dark and theatrical albums, such as 1971’s Pawn Hearts and 1975’s Godbluff. Both of these records are characterized by their ambitious and cohesive musical narratives, maintaining a unique and thrillingly eccentric sound that continued to evolve into the 21st century, with Hammill reviving the band for new projects.

1. Gentle Giant: The Visionaries of Progressive Music

Gentle Giant likely anticipated their commercial struggles when their decade-long career came to an end in 1980. The liner notes of their 1971 album, Acquiring the Taste, explicitly stated their ambition to “expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular.” This commitment to innovation resulted in sweeping and diverse musical statements, showcasing the extraordinary talents of each band member, all of whom were accomplished multi-instrumentalists. Their creativity knew no bounds, as evidenced in complex and rangy masterpieces like 1972’s Octopus and 1975’s Free Hand. Gentle Giant even ventured into the realm of pop music, proving their versatility and willingness to experiment.