How Much Did Rock Music Influence Japaneese Video Game Scores?

Truth be told, rock artists from the 50s and beyond have had some influence on pop culture in one way or another. The most artistic form of rock, progressive rock, also known as prog rock, is rather intriguing subgenres of rock. What makes it the most intriguing? Well the sheer fact that a lot of the soundtracks on early video games made in Japan, tend to take their influence from this very prog rock such as the one below.
Image result for zelda

What is this "prog rock" anyway?

 I've hit on prog rock in several blogs already, but in short, it's practicaly a mindset allow one to be a bit more artistic. Features of prog rock songs and bands are great lengths (multi-part suites even), use of electronics (synthesizers, melotrons, etc. - although piano and organ do also get used particularly the latter), and did I mention the ever changing time signatures?

Which games were influenced?

 Generally, I feel as though the biggest series to be influenced, is the Legend of Zelda series. I've played a few of those myself and when I listen to the soundtrack, I can't help but imagine bands like Yes or ELP - in casse of the latter, the closing of Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression Part 2. Pink Floyd's, and possibly the world's, greatest album, also comes to mind. The organ riff heard at the start of Eclipse, reminds me of part of this.

I've mentioned Yes and I can't begin to say how their sound influenced the Zelda series. Koji Kondo, the score producer for the likes of Zelda and Super Mario series, himself has tipped his hat to legends such as Yes, ELP, and Pink Floyd. Want a side by side comparison? How about Five Per Cent for Nothing from Yes' masterpiece album, and this, or maybe even part of this

Illusion of Gaia:

 This has GOT to be one of the best Nintendo games, and I am so upset that it didn't become a series. It's such a good game that I opted to create some of the characters as Sims! Did I say how haunting and progressive the music is? It even tends to take influence from other rock forms. Listen to this theme and tell me that part of the theme was inspired by Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven. The flute even tends to pay homage to Jethro Tull.

Also this theme, recalls part of the solo Don't Fear the Reaper.

Even neo-progressive rock (a la Styx) seems to have influenced the score of this game as seen in the theme above or maybe even parts of this one (Miss America anyone)?

I can't really put my finger on where this theme comes from, but by the sounds of the flute, it sounds like another Jethro Tull influence. Other influences throughout the soundtrack are King Crimson and Electric Light Orchestra.

Heavy metal in rock?

 There is perhaps one example of this, and I happened to stumble upon it today. The first three notes of this theme seem to be influenced by Black Sabbath's, theme song.

Mickey Mania:

 Now this is a rare one. Released in production with Sony Imagesoft, Mickey Mania takes Mick himself through six of his most popular cartoons. The full soundtrack is really worth a listen. I hear a ton of Moody Blues influence with the melotron and chamberlin going full effect on 90% of the songs here. I'm honestly in love with the soundtrack.

In Closing:

 We've seen that prog rock artists such as Yes, Floyd, ELP, and partially Tull are among the most influences in video game soundtracks. These games, like the artists, stood the test of time and are legendary in their own right.

In closing, I'd like it to be known the opinions that were shown were exclusively my own - all my own!

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