A New Day Yesterday: UK Progressive Rock and the 1970s

Mike Barnes's A New Day Yesterday offers far more than a simple guide to progressive rock; it's an entertaining, definitive, and deeply insightful study that truly understands the genre's unique spirit. With a new cover and a foreword by Steve Hackett of Genesis, this book avoids predictable rock history narratives, instead providing a vivid and colourful picture of the creative surge that birthed prog in the late Sixties and throughout the Seventies.

Barnes astutely positions prog as music made by young musicians for a young audience, driven by a desire to explore new horizons through the synthesis of rock, jazz, folk, classical, and other diverse styles. He acknowledges the genre's historically divisive reception amongst critics, yet underscores the large and devoted fanbase that propelled its biggest acts, from Pink Floyd to Genesis, to enduring international and commercial success. Crucially, the book also recognises the ongoing discovery of prog's unique sounds by new generations of listeners today.

What distinguishes A New Day Yesterday is Barnes's commitment to examining the myths and misconceptions that often surround prog. Drawing on his own extensive interviews with the musicians themselves, music business insiders, journalists, and DJs, alongside the personal testimonies of fans who lived through that extraordinary decade, he paints a nuanced and engaging portrait. This is not just a dry academic analysis; it's a vibrant tapestry woven from firsthand accounts and insightful observations.

Offering something genuinely new even for the most dedicated prog enthusiast, A New Day Yesterday delves into both the intricate details of the music itself and the broader cultural conditions and attitudes that both fuelled and were influenced by this remarkable musical phenomenon. Barnes avoids superficial praise, instead providing a thoughtful and comprehensive exploration that will undoubtedly deepen the appreciation for this ambitious and often misunderstood genre.