Named after a book by William S Burroughs, Soft Machine were one of the most important underground bands of their time. Figureheads of the so-called Canterbury Scene, they took note from psychedelic rock, jazz fusion and European sound experiments and folk music. The band took over Pink Floyd's regular slot at the famous UFO club, which won them a dedicated circle of fans. They reached their critical and commercial peak with 'Third', a double album consisting one long suite per side. Suitably for their high-reaching ambitions, they became the first rock band to play at London's Proms, and they remain respected and influential to this day.

 JH