An American Songwriter feature makes the case for three progressive rock bands from the 1970s that the writer believes deserve wider recognition. The piece highlights acts whose musical ambition and skill rivalled the genre's biggest names, arguing they were unfairly overshadowed despite critical strengths and, in one case, prestigious touring credentials.

The list includes Happy The Man, a US band known for jazz-inflected compositions and strong keyboard work, active until 1979 before later reuniting; Gryphon, an English folk-leaning prog act formed in the medieval-folk mould, who paused after 1977 and reunited in the 2010s; and Fruupp, an Irish band active from 1971 to 1976 that opened for Genesis and King Crimson but never achieved comparable fame. Recommended listening includes Happy The Man's self-titled 1977 album and Crafty Hands (1978), Gryphon's Gryphon (1973) and Midnight Mushrumps (1974), and Fruupp's Future Legends (1973) and The Prince of Heaven's Eyes (1974).