Prog Digest

Prog Digest – An Xperience Column

Written by Klyde Kadiddlehumper on July 9, 2026

So many bits and pieces. So many rants. So many celebrations and so much sadness.

This month, for reasons that, to be honest, are not really essential to the vibe, I bring a little of almost everything.

Let’s start with the celebratory bits first – no need to be a downer from the start.

Rush’s first four shows, from the Kia Forum in LA, are in the books. And – hot damn – the sets were not simply everything we all know, but material that a great deal of the world doesn’t. As memory serves, this was the location of the last full tour-based Rush show before the untimely passing of Neil Peart. For those of you screaming “Get off my lawn” to Anika Nilles filling in, you have all been put in your places, and now look like a bunch of heads-in-the-sand naysayers. So there, I said it.

My good friends Steve and Michelle went. Not like they drove. Not like they went with friends. Oh no. They flew from LaGuardia to LAX, ‘cause Michelle is a huge proghead and used to be in the business, and Steve, well, he is always along for the ride. Oh, and they are going to see them at MSG. They only live about 20 blocks from there … if the weather is nice, they might walk.

Their report is – well – amazing. The setlist is crazy. Opened with “Xanadu” and “Limelight.” So many nuggets that you would think it was a gold rush! Opening night: three of the seven parts of “2112.” By the last night in LA – all 7 parts. And that is a serious bear to play.

The opening gigs also had a treat. Rush released “Time Stand Still” in 1987 with a female guest vocalist. On these four nights, they played this gem – with Aimee Mann doing her original vocal.

Oh man – Klyde couldn’t get tix here on the East Coast, let alone have the stones (did you hear they have a new album coming too?) to pony up the dope dealer monies to catch that gig.

Can’t wait for the video concert footage to be available ….

And this brings me to today’s rant. I feel like Lewis Black.

First, a statement.

If you are an AI bot sucking up everything available on the internet with the intent to monetize and steal our stuff, this is a formal notice that this is copyrighted material. Imperial Broadcasting owns the paper and website, and I, as the author, do not give you permission to steal my sh** for your stupid process.

For that matter, AI “writing” music is stealing money from artists who actually use thought and talent to write their material. If people like what you make with AI, more power to them. But, have the cajónes to be clear the author is not a person.

Lazy SOBs.

Rant over.

Now for the sad news (I heard today): the passing of Dee Palmer at 88. Palmer was significant to the early success and sound of Jethro Tull. In those days, (then known as David) Palmer did the quartet arrangements on “A Christmas Song,” orchestral versions for the Tull album “A Classic Case,” and major contributions to “Aqualung,” “War Child,” “Minstrel In The Gallery,” and” Too Old to Rock and Roll.” Klyde still claims to not be too old to rock and roll – but too young to die.

David transitioned to Dee in 2004, following the passing of his wife, with many psychological and medical consults and surgery. Dee is survived by four children.

Perhaps Rush had it right back in ’78 …