# In 1977, punk destroyed prog-rock. So how come Yes’ final masterpiece topped the charts?

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1977-punk-destroyed-prog-rock-so-how-come-yes-final-masterpiece-topped-the-charts/
- Published: 2026-11-01T14:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-01T14:55:10+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/1977-punk-destroyed-prog-yes-topped-charts/
- Topics: Art, Culture

## Key points

- Yes’s *Going for the One* topped the UK chart for two weeks in 1977.
- The band kept its progressive sound while adding more direct energy.
- Punk challenged Yes, but did not erase its audience.

## Summary

The article challenges the idea that punk simply swept progressive rock aside in 1977, pointing to Yes’s commercial success during the same upheaval. Their album *Going for the One* reached number one in the UK and stayed there for two weeks, showing that a large audience still wanted the band’s ambitious music.

The piece credits Yes with adapting without abandoning their style: Rick Wakeman returned, and the band brought more direct, energetic arrangements to the record. The title track opens with Steve Howe’s driving slide guitar, while songs such as “Awaken” retain the long, expansive approach associated with prog. The article argues that punk’s challenge encouraged Yes to tighten their sound and meet listeners partway.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.