No one would describe Pink Floyd as a band whose strength was vocal art, but their rhythmic pulses and harmonic shifts are among the deftest in classic rock literature—both are evident in the song Astronomy Domine. Led Zeppelin used a large canvas to composed numerous pocket symphonies that bridged rock and blues. With superior musicianship and Freddy as their lead vocalist, Queen was virtually limitless with what they could compose. A short but nifty example would be the song The Seven Seas of Rhye: https://youtu.be/u7e4Tr9IH5U?si=0cDIjZMbLEF3IdMB
Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and Queen are prime examples of rock bands that were classically trained. If you listen closely, elements of Bach, Stravinsky, Prokofiev, and Shostakovich can be heard in their songs. I am foremost a classical lover. Long before I published my first novel, I could fumble my way through a few of Chopin’s Nocturnes. I was in my late 30s when I first listened to Shostakovich’s violin concerto. The third movement titled Passacaglia was the deepest I sensed a composer had reached into their soul for the sake of their art. Of course, composing under Stalin could both hasten and heighten any artist’s abstract expressions.
Michael's Corner 
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