Isabel, I hate to admit it but I was a teenager when most these albums came out. Of course, the internet was just a glimmer in Al Gore's (right) mind back then and if anything, radio was even less diverse than it is now. I found out about these bands thru reading magazines like Cream, Crawdaddy, Circus and The Rollingstone (not nearly as commercial back then). I bought most of them unheard based on glowing reviews that seemed to jive with my personal tastes. Of course there were friends and their big brothers that would also have some of this stuff, so word of mouth played a big role. If all you have heard of Yes is 'Owner of a lonely Heart', then that would not be representative of the bulk of their great work on Close to the Edge and Fragile. However, songs like 'And You and I' and 'All Good People' have gotten airplay on classic rock stations and those would be fair representations. Flyer, I think King Crimsons only hit was from their first album - In the Court of the Crimson King. King Crimson has always been adventurous, difficult to pin down musically and hosted a plethora of member changes (Fripp being the constant) along the way; but that first hit was as good an indication as any for what could be expected of them. If you were buying your first album of theirs I would recommend, Red or Larks Tongue in Aspic. I think Manny would suggest Disciplen. Fleetwood Mac was never progrock. They actually started out as a rough-and-tumble blues band featuring the inspired guitar of Peter Green.
I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to Oh well Now, when I talked to God I knew he'd understand He said, "Stick by my side and I'll be your guiding hand But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to" Oh well