10 Most Influential Rock Bands

For musicians who are serious about their instruments, prog rock is the one genre that is the be-all and end-all. Prog was filled with artists who could play like musical virtuosos, but what really matters was whether there was any strength behind the long melodic runs.

Forming one of the most talented power trios, Rush's ascent in the mid-70's outshined most of their prog contemporaries. Each track was definitely long, but the power behind the riffs were like if Led Zeppelin had Pink Floyd's sense of song structure. With the lyrics of drummer Neil Peart, these songs became episodic journeys that went on to inspire prog-metal bands to try their hand at more epic material.

These longer tracks also spared no expense on the musical end, as every member of the band is one of greatest players in the rock world. Geddy Lee's bass lines are absolutely breathtaking while Alex Lifeson's guitar solos are crafted to near perfection. Also, any drummer who has not heard Neil Peart has to seriously re-evaluate their priorities. By being unapologetically unique, Rush crafted a bold career trajectory which produced the best prog music out there. Anyone even thinking of making rock music more cinematic owes this band a debt of gratitude.