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The Show That Never Ends: The Rise and Fall of Prog Rock Hardcover – June 13, 2017

by David Weigel (Author)

82 customer reviews

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The wildly entertaining story of progressive rock, the music that ruled the 1970s charts―and has divided listeners ever since.

The Show That Never Ends is the definitive story of the extraordinary rise and fall of progressive (“prog”) rock. Epitomized by such classic, chart-topping bands as Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, Jethro Tull, and Emerson Lake & Palmer, along with such successors as Rush, Marillion, Asia, Styx, and Porcupine Tree, prog sold hundreds of millions of records. It brought into the mainstream concept albums, spaced-out cover art, crazy time signatures, multitrack recording, and stagecraft so bombastic it was spoofed in the classic movie This Is Spinal Tap.

With a vast knowledge of what Rolling Stone has called “the deliciously decadent genre that the punks failed to kill,” access to key people who made the music, and the passion of a true enthusiast, Washington Post national reporter David Weigel tells the story of prog in all its pomp, creativity, and excess.

Weigel explains exactly what was “progressive” about prog rock and how its complexity and experimentalism arose from such precursors as the Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds and the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper. He traces prog’s popularity from the massive success of Procol Harum’s “Whiter Shade of Pale” and the Moody Blues’ “Nights in White Satin” in 1967. He reveals how prog’s best-selling, epochal albums were made, including The Dark Side of the Moon, Thick as a Brick, and Tubular Bells. And he explores the rise of new instruments into the prog mix, such as the synthesizer, flute, mellotron, and―famously―the double-neck guitar.

The Show That Never Ends is filled with the candid reminiscences of prog’s celebrated musicians. It also features memorable portraits of the vital contributions of producers, empresarios, and technicians such as Richard Branson, Brian Eno, Ahmet Ertegun, and Bob Moog.

Ultimately, Weigel defends prog from the enormous derision it has received for a generation, and he reveals the new critical respect and popularity it has achieved in its contemporary resurgence.

8 pages of illustrations

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Editorial Reviews

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“A new history of [prog] written by an ardent, straight-faced defender who also understands what is most outlandishly entertaining about it.”
- John Williams, New York Times Book Review

“Savvy . . . [and] too short.”
- Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker

“Weigel weaves the stories of platinum-selling bands like Pink Floyd and Rush into a broader portrait of a rapidly shifting musical landscape. His training as a journalist is everywhere, from the crisp reporting to the deeply researched quotes. His knack for lean, efficient music analysis is refreshing . . . and his obvious passion for the music elevates the narrative.”
- Jason Heller, NPR

“A deep, detailed, funny and affectionate dive into the history of prog rock.”
- Edgar Wright, director of Baby Driver

“A diligently researched chronicle [that] aims to grant the much-maligned genre something that has eluded it for decades: respect.”
- Ryan Dombal, Pitchfork

“Weigel’s detailed, gossipy coverage . . . is a very good thing.”
- Anthony Mostrum, Los Angeles Review of Books

“[The Show That Never Ends] tells a story of interest to both fans [of prog rock] and readers interested in the business of popular culture. . . . Weigel delivers a fun, compulsively readable account.”
- Rob Salkowitz, Forbes

“A well-researched, informative, and entertaining chronicle of the music’s emergence, golden era, and eventual transition from rock’s future to its past.”
- Phil Freeman, The Wire

About the Author

David Weigel is a national reporter for the Washington Post. He has written for Bloomberg Businessweek, Slate, Reason, GQ, Esquire, USA Today, Rolling Stone, Politico, and many other journals. He lives in Washington, DC.

Hardcover: 368 pages
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company; 1 edition (June 13, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0393242250
ISBN-13: 978-0393242256
Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.3 x 9.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 82 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,171 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #278 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > History & Criticism
- #465 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Musical Genres > Rock

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Mike Luoma

Progressive Rock Treated With Respect!

July 25, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Tired of mainstream, too-cool music critics who ignorantly dismiss Progressive Rock as some aberrant, abhorrent "thing" that happened in the early-mid 70's? You'll find - as I did - author Dave Weigel's new book a welcome change, as he respectfully looks back on the Progressive Rock era through new interviews and years of archival material. The stories of King Crimson, Yes, Genesis, and - as you might expect from the title - ELP form the core of the work, but Weigel delves into many different bands' histories, successes and failures. Prog fans being what they are, some will feel their favorite band doesn't get enough coverage ("Why isn't there more on Caravan?!?!"), but there are only so many pages in a survey like this.

Weigel reminds the reader - this WAS mainstream rock in the late 60s and early 70s! These were the bands which were so successful record companies practically threw money at them for albums and tours, as they sold millions of albums and dominated the musical landscape. Weigel even quotes music critics who praised the bands' efforts, back in the day, jarring for readers who only knows of critical scorn for Prog Rock. While not intended as mere corrective, it is refreshing to find this ambitious genre treated with the analysis and respect it truly deserves, instead of dismissed as "overblown", "pompous", "self-indulgent" crap.

As a Prog Rock fan who discovered these sounds in 1979 via Jethro Tull (yes, I do love "Stormwatch"...) there's never been a time during my love of the genre when the music press gave any kind of creative credit to these musicians and bands. Reading Weigel's book felt like some kind of vindication, I suppose. On a personal level, working in rock radio in the nineties, I tried to play Progressive Rock when I could - reading later chapters on Marillion and Steven Wilson and the Prog Rock "renaissance" during those years brought back fond memories (met Steven Wilson backstage after Porcupine Tree opened for Yes in Connecticut, and Jon Anderson stopped by to introduce himself to S.W. and praise his solo set - for one happy example). Also reminded me of what an uphill battle that was - explaining to Classic Rock Radio consultants why you're playing Porcupine Tree and Spock's Beard in the mid 90s was a futile exercise ("Why are we playing it? Because this tune from "Snow" sounds like our top testing tune by Kansas...").

It truly was refreshing to read a book on rock music that gives Progressive Rock respect and even honor. Thank you, Dave Weigel, for this love letter to the greatest music ever made - Progressive Rock!

10 people found this helpful

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D. Willis

Disappointed. Everything said I should like this. I did not.

June 23, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I admire Dave Weigel's work for Slate and the Washington Post. I was shocked he was writing about Prog Rock, my shameful indulgence. Anybody that covers the nuances of the political landscape must be able to show me something I didn't know here, right? Wrong. He just barfs out every fact that he has read from the same sources a fan would have already read. A little like standing in line for a show with a guy who wants to tell you everything he's read about the artist. Very little narrative here. Not to rag on Dave too much, because I think his editors failed him. The same quote appears twice within the same per page or two, out of context. Wouldn't happen with better editing.

I had hoped to learn something new, or discover a new redeeming argument for Prog, which seemed to be the goal here. Guess what? Prog was cool with a few people who cared a lot about music, and then punk came along and tore it down. Artists riding high struggled and fought with each other. Yes, and...?

I slogged through the details of Marillion, Soft Machine, Dream Theater, and more. I hoped for more on Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson, who embodies everything great about this music.

I read details, but learned nothing.

Somebody, someday,will write an insightful analysis of this period of music. It deserves a great treatment. This isn't it.

43 people found this helpful

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KGC

would likely enjoy this book even if they don't like the genre

September 5, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Anyone who even mildly enjoys reading about music, be it tell-alls or chronicles about the making of it, would likely enjoy this book even if they don't like the genre. Weigel presents about as efficient a summary of progressive rock's rise and fall as any objective reader could endure -- presenting a entertaining education on its development and history without delving too far into a morass of minutiae that would discourage anyone not all that interested in the genre to continue reading it. On that end, it's a very commendable, fun read, and even fans will find a lot of discovery in these pages.

The catch is that those who would be VERY into this topic will specifically want all the incidental stuff... more on the Cambridge scene, and probably more of a nod into progressive metal, where the spirit of this reach-for-the-stars musical ambition is very much alive (still kinda perplexed that Fates Warning doesn't even get a mention). So, as intriguing and informative as it might be to a non-prog listener, prog rock fans -- who are ONLY passionate -- will likely find it lacking for not being more comprehensive. Still, they'll appreciate Weigel's argument of the importance and merit of progressive rock, developed with subtlety about a bombastic art -- it never feels pedantic.

And more still, it's just an enjoyable read.

4 people found this helpful

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lw3

Very enjoyable, but not revelatory

September 4, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

3 stars is kind of tough for me, because I enjoyed the book, but when I think about it critically, there are some things that I would have liked to ee done differently. It's pretty short, and there wasn't (to my mind) a clear explanation of why prog music went out of fashion, or why there was such disdain. It seemed to be already out of date with regard to several people (although acknowledged in the epilogue), and, as much as I love King Crimson, there was a heavy concentration on that one band (still one of the best). 3 stars because I enjoyed what was there, even if a lot wasn't new info, but there could have been a lot more insight.

3 people found this helpful

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Most recent customer reviews

Charles M. Britzman

ALL THE DETAILS I'D IGNORED - REVEALED

I first noticed Prog on the radio, about the time that Days Of Future Passed first came out. Musicianship, Mellotrons and concept albums immediately seduced me, and I was off to...Read more

Published 2 months ago

B. Gyss

Excellent primer on Prog

The Show That Never Ends is an amazing journey through a musical era that’s largely been erased. Hats off to Dave Weigel for documenting and distilling everything down to its...Read more

Published 3 months ago

Matt Peck

Immensely entertaining, but not definitive

Like any widely despised genre of popular art, progressive rock is due for a new acceptance – if, for no other reason, to lessen my shame about my deep affection for Yes.Read more

Published 3 months ago

C-Mac

The Story and Little Else

I would give this 3 1/2 if that were possible, but I found it a pleasant enough read to round up. This is a really good read for those curious about prog.Read more

Published 4 months ago

Matthew Goodluck

Avoid this book if you're a fan of the genre!

If you are a fan of prog rock, chances are you're already going to know a lot of the information contained in this book. Which is fine.Read more

Published 4 months ago

Elaine Booth

An underrated genre

It was an enjoyable read. I never knew what music I was avidly listening to late at night until the unwashed masses started making fun of it. Who knew?Read more

Published 4 months ago

morehumanthanhumanTop Contributor: Graphic Novels

Not for me

Wiegel is a good writer and I’ve enjoyed other things by him, this just wasn’t for me. I was hoping for a book that would be more accessible to those less familiar with...Read more

Published 5 months ago

M. Shomphe

Absolutely worth the read

I’m not a fan of prog rock, but this is a great history. It contextualizes the movement and is a super easy, fun read.

Published 5 months ago

L Kane

One Star

This is poorly written- flat out. The snobbish tone throughout becomes more and more nauseating by the page.

Published 5 months ago

There weren't as many drugs involved as I susposed

A worthwhile read. I was amused to hear the original of the title of ELP's "Works Volume 1."

Published 6 months ago

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