Pink Floyd don't play as much as you think live.. I watched them at live 8 and they weren't playing all the instruments there. Plus when the lead singer (guitar player)came off some sting instrument it kept playing even though he wasn't playing it..I only throw it out. I know they play live and are a GREAT band but I'm not sure how much they play live..Please don't get mad at me. PS Queen are my vote..:)

Gentle Giant was amazing, never heard anything else like them. I voted for ELP however, purely because Pirates is such an amazing epic, though it was really hard to choose just one.

As a side note, is it possible to consider Return to Forever prog rock alongside Mahavishnu Orchestra?

Definitely. Romantic Warrior is particularly proggish.

I just got into Gentle Giants, and I usually buy what my lousy record store has, which means that in 6 months, I've gotten 2... quite depressing.

But I definitely like Camel's sound, but haven't got anything by them so far. Anyone has an album title to suggest?

I know about all these bands except Gong. Seriously, who the heck is Gong?

I'd recommend starting out with Mirage or Moonmadness which are their best albums IMO. If you're after something more accessible to start with, go for the Snow Goose (all of the songs are 5 mins max).

Gong is a crazy Canterbury prog band rooted in psychedelia with lyrical topics including flying teapots, witches, prostitutes and invisible radio gnomes, sometimes in French. I love them!

Sounds right up my alley! Brilliant! You gotta song to suggest so I could pick something good off youtube?

edit: I'm guessing "Pot Head Pixie" is a way to go?

Well i have to go with PF, noone quite touches there level in individuality.

although i havnt really heard Jethro Tull, would like to though. Just not sure where to start.

Easily Rush. Then Pink Floyd.

About the only old prog bands I don't find incredibly boring. Probably a blind statement though, seeing as I don't listen to much prog.

Aqualung is my favorite album from them and it's easly their most accessible. If you like it then you should check out their more progressive stuff like Thick as a Brick.

The whole Radio Gnome trilogy of albums is great - I started out with the Flying Teapot, and the title track from that was probably the first Gong song I heard. My favourite song of theirs is the Isle of Everywhere (instrumental).