Well, think about the term progressive itself. It's used to denote a way of actively thinking outside of established parameters and formulas. in music, as well as in other facets of art and culture, we recognize a style or genre when we see certain recurrent themes creating a criteria for its designation. As it usually happens, someone progressively sets the bar and others follow adhering to the formula that's been established.
The case of progressive rock seems to bee that there are innovators and there are duplicators within the genre, but as a whole, the genre of progressive rock tends to be a platform for greater musical creativity, because it highlights intellectual and artistic concept, innovation and musicianship over following a formula, which is very simple to follow and be prolific with.
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