1960s

Refused entry to the UK, former Soft Machiner Daevid Allen remained in France and started Gong. Their earliest recordings take a cue from Barrett-era Floyd, but the hypnotic Continental Circus is underrated. Always maintaining a fluid line-up, things congealed enough for the classic Radio Gnome trilogy of albums. By 1975 however, Allen and Smyth headed down to Majorca, and the silliness subsided. Eventually Pierre Moerlen took over the helm, veering off into a full-fledged fusion outfit.

Founded: 1969

Location: Paris, France

Website: Planet Gong: Cyber-home of Gong, GAS and Gliss

Organ/drum duo from Sweden, Hansson & Karlsson were early jazz-rock pioneers. Despite having Jimi Hendrix as fan and jam partner, recordings were near-impossible to find outside their native country. Hansson would later achieve international success as a solo artist.

Founded: 1966

Location: Stockholm, Sweden

Founded: 1968

Location: Cambridge, England

Website: henry cow

Notable for members Tom Newman (producer), and John Field and Tony Duhig, both later in Jade Warrior.

Founded: 1968

Location: Ealing, England