Why does the USA still love Prog?

[Rikki Nadir]

So here's a thing. In the 1970s, the united kingdom (and mostly the English bit) gave birth to some great Progressive Rock. I won't list them all, but if I say - Yes, Genesis, Floyd, King Crimson, Roxy, VDGG etc you get the idea. Then along came punk rock in 1976 and swept all that away. Now, the kingdom is a prog desert (largely), with no radio station (not even Bob Harris or John Peel) playing any prog, and only the likes of Radiohead to keep the flame alive (other than through the myriad tribute bands playing the circuit).

Contrast with the USA. Yes live in California and still play to large audiences, new bands (eg spock's beard) come along, the scene is alive (or at least so it seems from here). Jethro Tull tour the US and get an audience, then Ian Anderson comes home to Scotland and does he play concerts? More than likely not. He goes back to farming salmon.

So, gentle website buddies, pray do tell - why does the USA (and other bits of the world) still love prog, when the UK has turned its back on this bit of its musical heritage?

What do you think?