General information:

In contrast to the term AOR it's considered that the word pomprock is invented by the British music magazines. I'm not sure about this, but it's a fact that the British people still use that word. But nowadays more to describe pompous music. Pompous in the non negative meaning of the word.

One can determine that symphonic bands like ELP, Genesis and Yes had influenced early pomprock bands, because dominating keyboards, solid guitar sound, lots of backing vocals and quite complex songstructures are the recognition points of pomprock. It's clear that there's just a thin line between symphonic rock and pomprock. Maybe pomprock's just the American/Canadian version of symphonic rock. Although there are symphonic bands, like Saga from the American continent and pomprock bands from Europe like Charlie, it's very typical that their numbers are limited.

Some people also use the word progressive instead of symphonic, but I personally think that the word progressive is just too vague to describe a style. Just like the word alternative, it indicates more the musical attitude of a band in a certain timeperiod. Progressive means in my humble opinion the urge to experience and to develop. In theory it can be any style.

Like any other style it's very difficult to pinpoint the time when pomprock emerged. But the pomprock movement became significant in let's say 1975-1977, when two of the most successful pomprock bands Kansas and Styx released their most successful albums.

U.S.A.:

Canada:

Other countries:

AOR with pomp influences:

Bands: