This is a timeline of artists, albums, and events in progressive rock and its subgenres. This article contains the timeline for the period 1980 - 1989.
Contents 1980 - 1981 - 1982 - 1983 - 1984 - 1985 - 1986 - 1987 - 1988 - 1989
See also Links and references
1980 Newly formed bands Albums Release dateArtistAlbumCountry1980 Jan 14RushPermanent WavesCanada1980 FebBill BrufordGradually Going TornadoEngland1980 Feb 15Mike RutherfordSmallcreep's DayEngland1980 Mar 3Gentle GiantCivilianEngland1980 Mar 28GenesisDukeEngland1980 Apr 18SkySky 2England / Australia1980 AprPremiata Forneria MarconiSuonare suonareItaly1980 May 30Peter GabrielPeter Gabriel IIIEngland1980 Jun 13Steve HackettDefectorEngland1980 JunCardiac ArrestThe Obvious IdentityEngland1980 Aug 22YesDramaEngland1980 Aug 29Jethro TullAEngland1980 AugPeter HammillA Black BoxEngland1980 AugSagaSilent KnightCanada1980 SepKansasAudio-VisionsUS1980 SepThis HeatThis HeatEngland1980 Oct 17HawkwindLevitationEngland1980 Oct 31Mike OldfieldQE2England1980 Oct 31CaravanThe AlbumEngland1980 Nov 7The Alan Parsons ProjectThe Turn of a Friendly CardEngland1980 Nov 7Jon AndersonSong of SevenEngland1980 DecAsia MinorBetween Flesh and DivineFrance1980Abus DangereuxLe Quatrieme MouvementFrance1980Ain SophA Story of Mysterious ForestJapan1980AngeVu d'un ChienFrance1980Art BearsThe World as It Is TodayEngland1980Art ZoydGeneration Sans FuturFrance1980Beggars OperaLifelineEngland1980BuldožerIzlog jeftinih slatkišaYugoslavia1980CaiNoche AbiertaSpain1980Den Za DenDen Za DenYugoslavia1980EskatonArdeurFrance1980Fred FrithGravityEngland1980GalijaDruga plovidbaYugoslavia1980Patrick GauthierBebe GodzillaFrance1980Igra Staklenih PerliVrt svetlostiYugoslavia1980Iman Califato IndependienteCamino del AguilaSpain1980JutroDobro jutroYugoslavia1980KaipaHänderSweden1980KayakPeriscope LifeNetherlands1980The MuffinsOpen CityUS1980Picchio Dal PozzoAbbiamo Tutti I Suoi ProblemiItaly1980Pekka PohjolaKätkävaaran lohikäärmeFinland1980PredmestjeHazardYugoslavia1980PresentTriskaidekaphobieBelgium1980RahmannRahmannFrance1980Catherine Ribeiro + AlpesLa DeboussoleFrance1980SBBMemento z banalnym tryptykiemPoland1980TakoU vreći za spavanjeYugoslavia1980WurtembergRock Fantasia Opus 9France1980Zamla Mammaz MannaFamiljesprickorSweden
Disbandments Den Za Den Gentle Giant Catherine Ribeiro + Alpes
Events Sky: Francis Monkman (keyboards) departs. Replaced by Steve Gray. Los Jaivas presents Obras de Violeta Parra for the first time in France. Former Pop Mašina members form hard rock band Rok Mašina. Aerodrom joins Yugoslav new wave scene with the album Tango Bango.
1981 Newly formed bands Celelalte Cuvinte Asia Queensrÿche
Reformed bands King Crimson
Albums Release dateArtistAlbumCountry1981 Jan 23CamelNudeEngland1981 Feb 12RushMoving PicturesCanada1981 FebPremiata Forneria MarconiCome ti va in riva alla cittàItaly1981 FebTwelfth NightLive at the TargetEngland1981 Mar 20SkySky 3England / Australia1981 May 11Frank ZappaShut Up 'n Play Yer GuitarUS1981 May 17Frank ZappaTinseltown RebellionUS1981 June 5Peter HammillSitting TargetsEngland1981 Jul 31Electric Light OrchestraTimeEngland1981 AugSteve HackettCuredEngland1981 Sep 18GenesisAbacabEngland1981 Sep 23Frank ZappaYou Are What You IsUS1981 SepSagaWorlds ApartCanada1981 Oct 2King CrimsonDisciplineEngland1981 Oct 2HawkwindSonic AttackEngland1981 OctGodley and CremeIsmismEngland1981 Nov 10KissMusic From “The Elder”USA1981AngeMoteurFrance1981Barclay James HarvestTurn of the TideEngland1981Mike Batt / AutopilotRapid Eye MovementsEngland1981Mike BattSix Days in BerlinEngland1981BuldožerRok end roulYugoslavia1981CardiacsToy WorldEngland1981CartoonCartoonUS1981DünErosFrance1981EastJátekókHungary1981Eider StellaireEider Stellaire (K001)France1981EloyPlanetsGermany1981Flame DreamOut In The DarkSwitzerland1981Fred FrithSpeechlessEngland1981Führs & FröhlingDiaryGermany1981GordiGordi 3Yugoslavia1981GrobschnittIllegalGermany1981Steve HoweThe Bodast TapesEngland1981KayakMerlinNetherlands1981KayakEyewitnessNetherlands1981Kerrs PinkMellom OssNorway1981KultivatorBarndomens StigarSweden1981Los JaivasAlturas de Machu PicchuChile1981The Muffins185US1981Na Lepem PrijazniNa Lepem PrijazniYugoslavia1981National HealthD.S. Al CodaEngland1981PallasArrive AliveScotland1981QuasarFire in the skyEngland1981This HeatDeceitEngland1981Univers ZeroCeux Du DehorsBelgium
Disbandments Art Bears Na Lepem Prijazni (temporarily) National Health Tako Yes (temporarily) YU Grupa (temporarily)
Events Robert Fripp and Bill Bruford form new band Discipline, but after initial live dates Fripp decides the band constitutes a new incarnation of King Crimson. Former Yes members Chris Squire and Alan White try to put together XYZ with Jimmy Page and Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin, but the project fails to go beyond rehearsals and the recording of several demos at Chris Squire's home studio due to Plant's dislike for the complicated musical arrangements. Steve Howe goes on to form Asia. Yes reformed in 1983. National Health keyboardist Alan Gowen dies. Aerodrom release the album Tango Bango, making shift towards new wave. Gordi release the album Pakleni trio, making shift towards heavy metal.
1982 Newly formed bands In Cahoots IQ Voivod Thinking Plague
Albums Release dateArtistAlbumCountry1982 Mar 18AsiaAsiaEngland1982 Mar 19Mike OldfieldFive Miles OutEngland1982 MarSkySky 4: ForthcomingEngland / Australia1982 Apr 9Jethro TullBroadsword and the BeastEngland1982 AprCamelThe Single FactorEngland1982 May 3Frank ZappaShip Arriving Too Late to Save a Drowning WitchUS1982 Jun 4GenesisThree Sides LiveEngland1982 Jun 18King CrimsonBeatEngland1982 Sep 9RushSignalsCanada1982 Sep 10Peter GabrielPeter GabrielEngland1982 SepCaptain Beefheart & His Magic BandIce Cream For CrowUS1982 OctPeter HammillEnter KEngland1982 Oct 29Supertramp…Famous Last Words…England1982 DecTwelfth NightFact and FictionEngland1982Art ZoydPhase IVFrance1982Mike BattZero ZeroEngland1982BegnagradBegnagradYugoslavia1982Bi Kyo RanBi Kyo RanJapan1982Eric BurdonComebackGermany1982Debile MentholEmile au Jardin PatrologiqueSwitzerland1982Drugi NačinPonovo na putuYugoslavia1982EastHűségHungary1982Etron Fou LeloublanLes Poumons GonflesFrance1982GalijaIpak verujem u sebeYugoslavia1982IQSeven Stories into EightEngland1982Isildurs BaneSagan om den irländska älgenSweden1982KaipaNattdjurstidSweden1982KensoIIJapan1982Los JaivasAconcaguaChile1982Jean-Paul PratMasalFrance1982PredmestjeKamasutraYugoslavia1982ProtosOne Day a New HorizonEngland1982Radio Noisz EnsembleYniverzeGermany1982RebekkaPhoenixGermany1982Stormy SixAl VoloItaly1982Third QuadrantSeeing yourself as you really areEngland1982 Univers ZeroCrawling WindBelgium1982Von ZamlaZamlaranammaSweden
Events 14 July - Pink Floyd releases their movie version of The Wall in the UK (13 Aug in the US).
1983 Newly formed bands Apocalypse Death Fates Warning News from Babel
Reformed bands Yes
Albums Release dateArtistAlbumCountry1983 Jan 14SkySky Five LiveEngland / Australia1983 Mar 14MarillionScript for a Jester's TearEngland1983 Mar 21Pink FloydThe Final CutEngland1983 Mar 28Frank ZappaBaby SnakesUS1983 Mar 28Frank ZappaThe Man from UtopiaUS1983 AprSteve HackettHighly StrungEngland1983 May 27Mike OldfieldCrisesUK1983 Jun 24Electric Light OrchestraSecret MessagesEngland1983 JunePeter HammillLoops and ReelsEngland1983 Aug 8Eddie Jobson and ZincThe Green AlbumEngland1983 Aug 12AsiaAlphaEngland1983 Aug 19Peter HammillPatienceEngland1983 Sep 9IQTales from the Lush AtticEngland1983 SepSagaHeads or TalesCanada1983 Oct 3GenesisGenesisEngland1983 Nov 7Yes90125England1983 Nov 18Ian AndersonWalk into LightEngland1983 Nov 25SkyCadmiumEngland / Australia1983 Nov 30Bad ReligionInto the UnknownUS1983AngeLa Gare de TroyesFrance1983Art ZoydLes Espaces InquietsFrance1983BacamarteDepois Do FimBrazil1983BuldožerNevino srceYugoslavia1983CastanarcJourney To The EastEngland1983CartoonMusic From Left FieldUS1983EskatonFictionFrance1983Etron Fou LeloublanLes Sillons de la TerreFrance1983Godley and CremeBirds of PreyEngland1983In SpeIn SpeEstonia1983KasekePõletusEstonia1983QueensrÿcheQueensrÿche [EP]US1983Von Zamla1983Various
Disbandments Earth & Fire
Events John Wetton is fired from Asia just prior to a Japanese tour and is replaced by Greg Lake. Wetton returned to the band in 1984. Yes reform with long-time members Jon Anderson, Chris Squire and Alan White, recruiting ex-member Tony Kaye who was fired in 1970 and new guitarist, Trevor Rabin to form a "Yes for the 1980s". After the supportive tour for ...Famous Last Words..., Roger Hodgson leaves Supertramp.
1984 Newly formed bands Albums Release dateArtistAlbumCountry1984 Feb 13PallasThe SentinelUK1984 Mar 5David GilmourAbout FaceEngland1984 Mar 12MarillionFugaziEngland1984 Mar 23King CrimsonThree of a Perfect PairEngland1984 Apr 9ZeeIdentityEngland1984 Apr 12RushGrace Under PressureCanada1984 Apr 13CamelStationary TravellerEngland1984 Apr 30Roger WatersThe Pros and Cons of Hitch HikingEngland1984 Jun 25Mike OldfieldDiscoveryEngland1984 SepSteve HackettTill We Have FacesEngland1984 Sep 7Jethro TullUnder WrapsEngland1984 Sep 7QueensrÿcheThe WarningUS1984 Oct 1Roger HodgsonIn the Eye of the StormEngland1984 Oct 18Frank ZappaThem or UsUS1984 Dec 21Frank ZappaThing-FishUS1984Abel GanzGratuitous FlashScotland1984AngeFouFrance1984Art ZoydLe Mariage du Ciel et l'EnferFrance1984Bi Kyo RanParallaxJapan1984Barclay James HarvestVictims of CircumstanceEngland1984CastanarcJourney to the EastEngland1984CardiacsThe SeasideEngland1984CraftCraftEngland1984Gunesh EnsembleLooking at the EarthTurkmenistan1984Isildurs BaneSagan om den Irländska ÄlgenSweden1984Los JaivasObras de Violeta ParraChile1984NazcaNazcaMexico1984News from BabelWork Resumed on the TowerEngland1984Not Drowning, WavingAnother PondAustralia1984Pocket OrchestraKnebnagäujeUS1984SolarisMarsbéli Krónikák (The Martian Chronicles)Hungary1984SolsticeSilent DanceEngland1984Thinking PlagueA Thinking PlagueUS1984Twelfth NightLive and Let LiveEngland1984Univers ZeroUzedBelgium1984UppsalaUppsalaFrance
Disbandments Begnagrad Gordi Predmestje Soft Machine
Events Sky: John Williams (acoustic guitar) departs. Remaining members tour Australia with Rick Wakeman.
1985 Newly formed bands Dream Theater King's X Magellan Emerson, Lake & Powell
Albums Release dateArtistAlbumCountry1985 February 25Tears for FearsSongs from the Big ChairEngland1985 May 13SupertrampBrother Where You BoundEngland1985 Jun 3IQThe WakeEngland1985 Jun 14Patrick Moraz / Bill BrufordFlagsEngland1985 Jun 17MarillionMisplaced ChildhoodEngland1985 Aug 19PendragonThe JewelEngland1985 Aug 19SagaBehaviourCanada1985 Oct 11RushPower WindowsCanada1985 Nov 11AsiaAstraEngland1985 Nov 11HawkwindThe Chronicle of the Black SwordEngland1985 Nov 21Frank ZappaFrank Zappa Meets the Mothers of PreventionUS19855uu'sBel Marduk and TiamatUS1985Debile MentholBattre CampagneSwitzerland1985DeyssAt KingSwitzerland1985EggSeven Is a Jolly Good TimeEngland1985Godley and CremeThe History Mix Volume 1England1985HorizontSummer in TownRussia1985IconoclastaReminiscenciasMexico1985In SpeTypewriter Concerto in DEstonia1985Eddie JobsonTheme of SecretsEngland1985KensoKenso IIIJapan1985KensoMusic From Five Unknown MusiciansJapan1985Minimum VitalEnvol TrianglesFrance1985Not Drowning, WavingThe Little DesertAustralia1985Outer LimitsMisty MoonJapan1985Ozric TentaclesErpsongsEngland1985Ozric TentaclesTantric ObstaclesEngland1985Bernard PaganottiPagaFrance1985PresentLe Poison Qui Rend FouBelgium1985Robert WyattOld RottenhatEngland
Disbandments Igra Staklenih Perli
Events IQ vocalist Peter Nicholls leaves for personal reasons. He is replaced by Paul Menel who debuts on 14 November 1985. Pink Floyd leader, bassist and lyricist Roger Waters leaves due to internal tensions within the band, and declares the band defunct, however the remaining members still continue, releasing A Momentary Lapse of Reason in 1987.
1986