Where to Start with proto-punk
subgenre of rock music
47 artists
Start here
Hot Rats
Frank Zappa · 1969
Best proto-punk Albums to Start With
proto-punk Artists
The Kinks
garage rock, hard rock
Frank Zappa
alternative rock, art music
Patti Smith
art rock, post-punk
Iggy Pop
alternative rock, garage rock
Sparks
alternative rock, art rock
John Cale
alternative rock, art rock
Todd Rundgren
blue-eyed soul, hard rock
Roxy Music
New Romantic, art rock
Lou Reed
alternative rock, art rock
The Stooges
punk rock
The Velvet Underground
alternative rock, art pop
Jonathan Richman
folk music
The Mothers of Invention
blues rock, experimental rock
Captain Beefheart
alternative rock, art rock
Television
art rock, new wave
Syd Barrett
experimental rock, outsider music
About proto-punk
What is proto-punk?
subgenre of rock music
Where should I start with proto-punk?
Start with "Hot Rats" by Frank Zappa. It captures what makes proto-punk worth exploring.
What are the best proto-punk albums?
The proto-punk albums worth hearing first: "Hot Rats" by Frank Zappa, "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" by Frank Zappa, "BBC Sessions: 1964–1977" by The Kinks, "Lumpy Gravy" by Frank Zappa and "Skull Ring" by Iggy Pop.
How many proto-punk artists are there?
Spinsource covers 47 proto-punk artists, each with a recommended starting album and listening path.