The Development of the Role of the Keyboard in Progressive Rock from 1968 to 1980

This thesis is a musicological and technological analysis of the development of the role of the keyboard in progressive rock from 1968 to 1980, the musicians and their use of technology.

Progressive rock has been studied by many researchers who have tended to focus on the background, social-class differences, and musicianship of the bands. However, there has been little analysis of the keyboard, its use, and its role in progressive rock. The main research of this thesis looks at 86 albums over a 13-year period to establish what the role of the keyboard was in this particular genre. The listening analysis is informed by a range of sources ranging from books, online sources and an interview. The thesis compares a number of subjects, such as who played the keyboards, what keyboards were used, and which keyboards increased and decreased in popularity. The findings of this thesis examine the differences, similarities, and the popularity of the keyboards that were used, together with the role of the keyboard in progressive rock, and how this role developed.