There's still time to register for ToddFest/West 2009 - August 22 - in Antelope, CA! Those who register before August 1 are guaranteed to have a personalized laminate as their souvenir of the event. Be sure to include the names of everyone who will be accompanying you.
If you've sent your RSVP already, there's no need to do so again. We look forward to seeing you. If you haven't, just send the information to RSVP2009@ToddFestWest.com.
If you're on Facebook, you can also reserve your place via the ToddFest/West 2009 Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=97135513285
Even if you're not planning to attend, join the Facebook group for ToddFest/West - http://www.facebook.com/pages/ToddFestWest/104446645822 - We'll be posting information, photos, videos and status updates prior to, during and after the fest.
As mentioned before, there is no charge for attending this year's Fest, but attendees should bring some food and drink to share for the potluck, and can voluntarily help support the Fest (whether you attend or not) by making a contribution of any amount via the PayPal link on the http://ToddFestWest.com web page.
In addition to sharing time with friends, swimming, sunning, musical parodies and all you've come to know and love at ToddFest/West, we are also working on having a special musical guest to perform at this year's fest (no, it's not Todd.) We are also encouraging those that attend that have "Day Job" merchandise to hawk to bring it for a special "merch table." We are already expecting health products, books and CDs. What else is up to you!
Debbie, Cece and I look forward to seeing many of you at ToddFest/West 2009!
--
Roger D. Linder, The TR-i Fan Formerly known as RDL22
Antelope, CA
http://RoCeMaBra.com/roger
http://twitter.com/rdlinder
Facebook: http://facebook.com/rdlinder
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Videos: Ribfest 2009 july 4th
upped on youtube by PRAISETODD
"Love in Action" - Todd Rundgren - RibFest 2009
Naperville, IL.
black and white
"Love in Action" - Todd Rundgren - RibFest 2009
Naperville, IL.
black and white
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
press: AWATS show CT
Todd Rundgren To Perform "A Wizard, A True Star" Live In Stamford CT at The Palace Theatre 09/09/09
Rock/Pop Icon Todd Rundgren is returning to Fairfield County to perform his seminal 1973 album "A Wizard, A True Star" live in its entirety at the Palace Theater in Stamford, CT on September 9, 2009. Ticket information available @ www.AWATSlive.com.
Stamford Center For The Performing Arts Palace Theater in Stamford, CT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 09, 2009 – Rock/Pop Icon Todd Rundgren is returning to Fairfield County to perform his seminal 1973 album "A Wizard, A True Star" live in its entirety at the Stamford Center for the Performing Arts Palace Theater on September 9, 2009. Ticket information is available at www.AWATSlive.com. Todd will perform the entire AWATS album plus a second full set of songs spanning his remarkable 40 year career backed by an all-star band featuring Jesse Gress, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Greg Hawkes, & Roger Powell.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was Todd’s follow up to his most commercially successful album, “Something /Anything?” which included popular hits like “I Saw The Light” and “Hello It’s Me”. Instead of going with a similar sound, Todd Rundgren went in a completely different direction with his electrical psychedelic album "A Wizard, A True Star".
Although the album wasn’t a big hit with critics and didn’t reach near the sales as Todd’s previous album, it’s the clear cut favorite of Todd’s most avid fans and is considered a very influential album to thousands of musicians. Todd’s manager, Eric Gardner of Panacea Entertainment, said, “It was Todd’s 180 degree turn after 'Something/Anything?' much to the dismay of the record company and much to the dismay of radio. Back then they were hoping for a follow up of 'Something/Anything?' something in the same vein. 'A Wizard, A True Star' is actually a record that’s near and dear to Todd’s heart because it was so contrary”.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was listed in the 2006 musical reference book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. In 2003, British music critic Barney Hoskyns wrote in MOJO magazine, "Rundgren’s 'A Wizard, A True Star' is simply the greatest album ever made”.
The Todd Rundgren AWATS Live concert in Stamford is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com. This will be the third AWATS Live performance ever. The first two AWATS Live performances are being held in Akron, OH on September 6th and 7th.
# # #
Rundgren Radio is an online talk radio show for Todd Rundgren fans that airs Tuesday nights at 8:30pm Eastern time.
Rock/Pop Icon Todd Rundgren is returning to Fairfield County to perform his seminal 1973 album "A Wizard, A True Star" live in its entirety at the Palace Theater in Stamford, CT on September 9, 2009. Ticket information available @ www.AWATSlive.com.
Stamford Center For The Performing Arts Palace Theater in Stamford, CT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 09, 2009 – Rock/Pop Icon Todd Rundgren is returning to Fairfield County to perform his seminal 1973 album "A Wizard, A True Star" live in its entirety at the Stamford Center for the Performing Arts Palace Theater on September 9, 2009. Ticket information is available at www.AWATSlive.com. Todd will perform the entire AWATS album plus a second full set of songs spanning his remarkable 40 year career backed by an all-star band featuring Jesse Gress, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, Greg Hawkes, & Roger Powell.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was Todd’s follow up to his most commercially successful album, “Something /Anything?” which included popular hits like “I Saw The Light” and “Hello It’s Me”. Instead of going with a similar sound, Todd Rundgren went in a completely different direction with his electrical psychedelic album "A Wizard, A True Star".
Although the album wasn’t a big hit with critics and didn’t reach near the sales as Todd’s previous album, it’s the clear cut favorite of Todd’s most avid fans and is considered a very influential album to thousands of musicians. Todd’s manager, Eric Gardner of Panacea Entertainment, said, “It was Todd’s 180 degree turn after 'Something/Anything?' much to the dismay of the record company and much to the dismay of radio. Back then they were hoping for a follow up of 'Something/Anything?' something in the same vein. 'A Wizard, A True Star' is actually a record that’s near and dear to Todd’s heart because it was so contrary”.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was listed in the 2006 musical reference book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. In 2003, British music critic Barney Hoskyns wrote in MOJO magazine, "Rundgren’s 'A Wizard, A True Star' is simply the greatest album ever made”.
The Todd Rundgren AWATS Live concert in Stamford is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com. This will be the third AWATS Live performance ever. The first two AWATS Live performances are being held in Akron, OH on September 6th and 7th.
# # #
Rundgren Radio is an online talk radio show for Todd Rundgren fans that airs Tuesday nights at 8:30pm Eastern time.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
3RD USA GIG FOR AWATS ANNOUNCED
Wed 9/09/09
STAMFORD CT
STAMFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
TICKET SALE WILL START ON THE 18TH OF JULY
STAMFORD CT
STAMFORD PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
TICKET SALE WILL START ON THE 18TH OF JULY
Todd on Daryl Hall's show Saturday 8/15/09
http://www.livefromdarylshouse.com/
Live from Daryl's House.
DARYL HALL FLOATING ON AIR AFTER VISIT FROM PARACHUTE TO LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE
Landmark 20th edition of acclaimed web show features Daryl and Mercury Records group with #1 iTunes album singing its hit "She Is Love," Daryl Hall & John Oates classics
NEW YORK, June 09, 2009—Marking the 20th episode of his critically acclaimed online series Live From Daryl's House, Daryl Hall invited Mercury Records rockers (and longtime Daryl Hall and John Oates fans) Parachute to join him, in a brand-new installment which debuts June 15 at www.livefromdarylshouse.com, where it can be seen along with archived footage of past episodes.
The Charlottesville, VA-based band recently climbed to #1 on the iTunes album charts with their debut, Losing Sleep, and hit single, "She Is Love," one of seven songs the five-piece band performed with Daryl Hall for the show. "She Is Love" was also featured in the national television advertising campaign for Nivea Body's Smooth Sensations, while the group has had its music spotlighted on such shows as 90210 and One Tree Hill, with a recent performance on the CBS Early Show.
Will Anderson, the group's vocalist/guitarist and piano player, was thrilled by the experience. "Getting to do Live From Daryl's House was amazing," he enthused. "We had an absolute blast singing some of the Daryl Hall and John Oates songs I grew up listening to and hope we'll get to jam with Daryl and the guys again soon!"
Parachute (www.weareparachute.com), which also includes saxophone player/keyboardist Kit French, bassist Alex Hargrave, drummer Johnny Stubblefield and lead guitarist Nate McFarland, performed four of their own songs with Daryl, including, in addition to "She Is Love," "Under Control," "All That I Am" and "She," two Daryl Hall and John Oates classics, "It's a Laugh" and "Say It Isn't So," as well as a rousing cover of Junior Walker's "Shotgun."
Past episodes of Live from Daryl's House have featured a mix of well-known performers like The Doors, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy, Finger Eleven's James Black and Rick Jackett and the Bacon Brothers, along with newcomers such as Philly soul singer Mutlu, Canadian techno-rockers Chromeo, MySpace pop-rock phenom Eric Hutchinson, Cash Money rocker Kevin Rudolf, Wind-up Records' Chicago rockers Company of Thieves, Bay Area singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson and Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek of The Doors.
Live from Daryl's House started with Daryl's "light-bulb moment" idea of "playing music with my friends and putting it up on the Internet," and the show has subsequently been praised by such varied media outlets as Rolling Stone, Spin, Daily Variety, CNN, BBC, Yahoo and the influential Lefsetz Letter.
Live from Daryl's House.
DARYL HALL FLOATING ON AIR AFTER VISIT FROM PARACHUTE TO LIVE FROM DARYL'S HOUSE
Landmark 20th edition of acclaimed web show features Daryl and Mercury Records group with #1 iTunes album singing its hit "She Is Love," Daryl Hall & John Oates classics
NEW YORK, June 09, 2009—Marking the 20th episode of his critically acclaimed online series Live From Daryl's House, Daryl Hall invited Mercury Records rockers (and longtime Daryl Hall and John Oates fans) Parachute to join him, in a brand-new installment which debuts June 15 at www.livefromdarylshouse.com, where it can be seen along with archived footage of past episodes.
The Charlottesville, VA-based band recently climbed to #1 on the iTunes album charts with their debut, Losing Sleep, and hit single, "She Is Love," one of seven songs the five-piece band performed with Daryl Hall for the show. "She Is Love" was also featured in the national television advertising campaign for Nivea Body's Smooth Sensations, while the group has had its music spotlighted on such shows as 90210 and One Tree Hill, with a recent performance on the CBS Early Show.
Will Anderson, the group's vocalist/guitarist and piano player, was thrilled by the experience. "Getting to do Live From Daryl's House was amazing," he enthused. "We had an absolute blast singing some of the Daryl Hall and John Oates songs I grew up listening to and hope we'll get to jam with Daryl and the guys again soon!"
Parachute (www.weareparachute.com), which also includes saxophone player/keyboardist Kit French, bassist Alex Hargrave, drummer Johnny Stubblefield and lead guitarist Nate McFarland, performed four of their own songs with Daryl, including, in addition to "She Is Love," "Under Control," "All That I Am" and "She," two Daryl Hall and John Oates classics, "It's a Laugh" and "Say It Isn't So," as well as a rousing cover of Junior Walker's "Shotgun."
Past episodes of Live from Daryl's House have featured a mix of well-known performers like The Doors, Nick Lowe, K.T. Tunstall, Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy, Finger Eleven's James Black and Rick Jackett and the Bacon Brothers, along with newcomers such as Philly soul singer Mutlu, Canadian techno-rockers Chromeo, MySpace pop-rock phenom Eric Hutchinson, Cash Money rocker Kevin Rudolf, Wind-up Records' Chicago rockers Company of Thieves, Bay Area singer/songwriter Matt Nathanson and Robby Krieger and Ray Manzarek of The Doors.
Live from Daryl's House started with Daryl's "light-bulb moment" idea of "playing music with my friends and putting it up on the Internet," and the show has subsequently been praised by such varied media outlets as Rolling Stone, Spin, Daily Variety, CNN, BBC, Yahoo and the influential Lefsetz Letter.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
INTERVIEW: AWATS shows WDET 101
Todd Rundgren discussed his upcoming live performances of his album, "A Wizard, A True Star", with Detroit FM radio station WDET 101 (wdetfm.org). Todd will be performing the album in it's entirety on September 7th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre. He will also be performing it the night before but that show is expected to be sold out within a week of this video posting. Todd's band includes: Jesse Gress, Greg Hawkes, Roger Powell, Prairie Prince, and Kasim Sulton. More information is available at www.AWATSlive.com. Both shows are being presented by RundgrenRadio.com.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Article : Detroit Metro Times
http://www.metrotimes.com/music/story.asp?id=14134
Hello, it's Todd
The producer and rock star talks his Wizard, the New York Dolls and evils of Microsoft
Rundgren: "The mainstream of music is as crappy as it's ever been."
BY BILL HOLDSHIP
We came up our own theme for Cityfest this year — namely, second acts or second chances. F. Scott Fitzgerald once said there are no second acts in American lives … but Fitzgerald was a bad drunk and never met Kwame Kilpatrick. So what the hell did he know? Actually, the theme came up due to a whole day's worth of Cityfest artists — De La Soul, among them — getting a second chance to play this year after being rained out during a torrential downpour in 2008. So we got several local artists on the bill this year to list some of their favorite "seconds" or things having to do with "twos" following this feature. Yeah, it's kinda corny — but, hey, it works.
The ageless and timeless Todd Rundgren is one of the biggest names playing the festival this summer. And 2009 is definitely a time of "second chances" for him, what with the artist reconstructing his classic A Wizard, A True Star album for live presentations during the next several months, as well as recently producing the second album for the reconstructed New York Dolls. Rundgren, of course, produced the protopunk icons' debut LP in 1973 — just another notch in a storied production career that includes work behind the boards for such acts as Patti Smith, XTC, Meat Loaf, the Tubes, Cheap Trick, the Band, Bad Religion and Michigan's own Grand Funk Railroad, among others.
Always a true musical and technological innovator (and a one-man recording powerhouse when Prince was still in diapers), Rundgren recently took time out of his busy schedule to share with MT what he's been up to. Put this guy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now!
Metro Times: I'm very curious about the upcoming live performances of your A Wizard, A True Star album in Akron and the UK later this year. Is the intent to play the album as originally recorded or will there be some new arrangements? How different is it doing it with a band as opposed to as a solo venture?
Todd Rundgren: The idea to re-create A Wizard, A True Star came out of England, where I am enjoying something of renaissance among young electronica musicians. When word got out that I was considering this, someone in the U.S. decided to test the local waters and discovered interest was high enough here that we could make this a reality.
While I haven't locked my approach down yet, I think it's likely that the running order may be different than the original. A Wizard, A True Star was made when all long-players had to be split into sides, and I think the concept may actually be improved a bit with a little reordering.
I've picked the band and instrumentation with an ear toward recreating most of the signature sounds. I think audience expectation will be that we stay pretty true to the original, but everyone realizes that there are certain challenges that may require creative solutions. We certainly can't travel with a pack of dogs just for one little interlude!
MT: Are you planning a live album or document of the event?
Rundgren: We do plan on capturing the event for posterity, likely in hi-def video. We finish up touring [his latest] Arena [album] on July 4 — two days after the Detroit show — and from there, we'll begin the preparations for A Wizard, A True Star in Akron.
MT: Are there any other albums you'd like to revisit in this way? Any that you're particularly proud or fond of in retrospect?
Rundgren: A Wizard, A True Star Live has been driven by events and personalities outside of my control — it's not the kind of idea I would have come up with on my own. I'm not a nostalgic musician and I always have a greater interest in exploring new projects rather than pandering to the "good old days."
MT: Have you ever considered doing something along the lines of Neil Young's Archives project with unreleased material and demos from your vaults?
Rundgren: Well, while we do have an archive of recordings and video of live performances dating back to the '70s, most of it has already been licensed to music distributors for plundering. I don't have a trove of unreleased studio material. I rarely complete things that don't get released.
MT: You reunited with the New York Dolls this year to produce their excellent new album, 'Cause I Sez So. How was it working with David [Johansen] and Syl [Sylvain] again after all these years? Did you use any of the same techniques for the new album that you did the first time out?
Rundgren: Well, David and Syl were the original workhorses of the Dolls. The other guys were more interested in experimenting with their body chemistry than knuckling down for serious work. That attitude probably permeated the first record and may be why it's considered such an important document of the times. But the results of this dichotomy are obvious today: Syl and David are still making music and the others are pushing up daisies. It was always obvious to me how much more important David's contribution was than Johnny Thunders' was, even though the latter is more often associated with "the sound."
Fortunately for me, the re-created band had already released an album, so we were free to move ahead instead of bearing the burden of history. The new record was a lot more fun for me [than the original 1973 debut LP], since I didn't have to deal with a zoo of journalists and groupies, let alone drug-addled and snotty guitarists this time.
MT: Are there any other artists — such as Patti Smith, etc. — you'd like to revisit working with again?
Rundgren: Well, as for the future of such reunions, I never drive these things. Whether or not I have any past experience of the artist, my approach will be the same: Show me the songs. The material always dictates when it's time to make a record.
MT: You were one of the pioneers of using the Internet for networking with your fans and bypassing the record labels, etc. Are you gratified that you were one of the leaders in this trend? Do you think this method has now peaked? Or do you foresee any new interesting directions it could take? And are there any plans to revive your PatroNet site, which hasn't been accepting subscribers for a while now?
Rundgren: You know the old saw about pioneers and arrows. I discovered the Internet at a time when it was still the domain of universities and research facilities. Now it's a realm of pop-up windows, e-mail scams and psychotic invective!
PatroNet was intended to be a world apart from what the Internet has become, where creative people can get support from and commune with their most avid supporters. Maybe the most important aspect about it is the ability to create an atmosphere where the most common pollutants of the Internet can't find their way in, while still using the ubiquitous connectivity that it now represents.
But something like PatroNet is not easy to maintain when you have gigantic and mischievous corporations like Microsoft undercutting your every move by releasing junk software like Vista, which breaks all previous conventions. Just trying to keep up with those boneheads required more technical support than we could muster. That doesn't mean we might not tempt fate and try again at some point, though.
MT: Are there any new or current producers or artists that you're particularly impressed with or interested in?
Rundgren: Likely there would be if I could find them! I don't do as much musical mining as I probably should. But the mainstream of music is as crappy as it's ever been.
Todd Rundgren plays at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 2, on the New Center Council Main Stage in the Fisher Building parking lot as part of Comerica Cityfest.
Thanks to Lee Lodyga and Marc Nathan.
Hello, it's Todd
The producer and rock star talks his Wizard, the New York Dolls and evils of Microsoft
Rundgren: "The mainstream of music is as crappy as it's ever been."
BY BILL HOLDSHIP
We came up our own theme for Cityfest this year — namely, second acts or second chances. F. Scott Fitzgerald once said there are no second acts in American lives … but Fitzgerald was a bad drunk and never met Kwame Kilpatrick. So what the hell did he know? Actually, the theme came up due to a whole day's worth of Cityfest artists — De La Soul, among them — getting a second chance to play this year after being rained out during a torrential downpour in 2008. So we got several local artists on the bill this year to list some of their favorite "seconds" or things having to do with "twos" following this feature. Yeah, it's kinda corny — but, hey, it works.
The ageless and timeless Todd Rundgren is one of the biggest names playing the festival this summer. And 2009 is definitely a time of "second chances" for him, what with the artist reconstructing his classic A Wizard, A True Star album for live presentations during the next several months, as well as recently producing the second album for the reconstructed New York Dolls. Rundgren, of course, produced the protopunk icons' debut LP in 1973 — just another notch in a storied production career that includes work behind the boards for such acts as Patti Smith, XTC, Meat Loaf, the Tubes, Cheap Trick, the Band, Bad Religion and Michigan's own Grand Funk Railroad, among others.
Always a true musical and technological innovator (and a one-man recording powerhouse when Prince was still in diapers), Rundgren recently took time out of his busy schedule to share with MT what he's been up to. Put this guy in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now!
Metro Times: I'm very curious about the upcoming live performances of your A Wizard, A True Star album in Akron and the UK later this year. Is the intent to play the album as originally recorded or will there be some new arrangements? How different is it doing it with a band as opposed to as a solo venture?
Todd Rundgren: The idea to re-create A Wizard, A True Star came out of England, where I am enjoying something of renaissance among young electronica musicians. When word got out that I was considering this, someone in the U.S. decided to test the local waters and discovered interest was high enough here that we could make this a reality.
While I haven't locked my approach down yet, I think it's likely that the running order may be different than the original. A Wizard, A True Star was made when all long-players had to be split into sides, and I think the concept may actually be improved a bit with a little reordering.
I've picked the band and instrumentation with an ear toward recreating most of the signature sounds. I think audience expectation will be that we stay pretty true to the original, but everyone realizes that there are certain challenges that may require creative solutions. We certainly can't travel with a pack of dogs just for one little interlude!
MT: Are you planning a live album or document of the event?
Rundgren: We do plan on capturing the event for posterity, likely in hi-def video. We finish up touring [his latest] Arena [album] on July 4 — two days after the Detroit show — and from there, we'll begin the preparations for A Wizard, A True Star in Akron.
MT: Are there any other albums you'd like to revisit in this way? Any that you're particularly proud or fond of in retrospect?
Rundgren: A Wizard, A True Star Live has been driven by events and personalities outside of my control — it's not the kind of idea I would have come up with on my own. I'm not a nostalgic musician and I always have a greater interest in exploring new projects rather than pandering to the "good old days."
MT: Have you ever considered doing something along the lines of Neil Young's Archives project with unreleased material and demos from your vaults?
Rundgren: Well, while we do have an archive of recordings and video of live performances dating back to the '70s, most of it has already been licensed to music distributors for plundering. I don't have a trove of unreleased studio material. I rarely complete things that don't get released.
MT: You reunited with the New York Dolls this year to produce their excellent new album, 'Cause I Sez So. How was it working with David [Johansen] and Syl [Sylvain] again after all these years? Did you use any of the same techniques for the new album that you did the first time out?
Rundgren: Well, David and Syl were the original workhorses of the Dolls. The other guys were more interested in experimenting with their body chemistry than knuckling down for serious work. That attitude probably permeated the first record and may be why it's considered such an important document of the times. But the results of this dichotomy are obvious today: Syl and David are still making music and the others are pushing up daisies. It was always obvious to me how much more important David's contribution was than Johnny Thunders' was, even though the latter is more often associated with "the sound."
Fortunately for me, the re-created band had already released an album, so we were free to move ahead instead of bearing the burden of history. The new record was a lot more fun for me [than the original 1973 debut LP], since I didn't have to deal with a zoo of journalists and groupies, let alone drug-addled and snotty guitarists this time.
MT: Are there any other artists — such as Patti Smith, etc. — you'd like to revisit working with again?
Rundgren: Well, as for the future of such reunions, I never drive these things. Whether or not I have any past experience of the artist, my approach will be the same: Show me the songs. The material always dictates when it's time to make a record.
MT: You were one of the pioneers of using the Internet for networking with your fans and bypassing the record labels, etc. Are you gratified that you were one of the leaders in this trend? Do you think this method has now peaked? Or do you foresee any new interesting directions it could take? And are there any plans to revive your PatroNet site, which hasn't been accepting subscribers for a while now?
Rundgren: You know the old saw about pioneers and arrows. I discovered the Internet at a time when it was still the domain of universities and research facilities. Now it's a realm of pop-up windows, e-mail scams and psychotic invective!
PatroNet was intended to be a world apart from what the Internet has become, where creative people can get support from and commune with their most avid supporters. Maybe the most important aspect about it is the ability to create an atmosphere where the most common pollutants of the Internet can't find their way in, while still using the ubiquitous connectivity that it now represents.
But something like PatroNet is not easy to maintain when you have gigantic and mischievous corporations like Microsoft undercutting your every move by releasing junk software like Vista, which breaks all previous conventions. Just trying to keep up with those boneheads required more technical support than we could muster. That doesn't mean we might not tempt fate and try again at some point, though.
MT: Are there any new or current producers or artists that you're particularly impressed with or interested in?
Rundgren: Likely there would be if I could find them! I don't do as much musical mining as I probably should. But the mainstream of music is as crappy as it's ever been.
Todd Rundgren plays at 9 p.m. Thursday, July 2, on the New Center Council Main Stage in the Fisher Building parking lot as part of Comerica Cityfest.
Thanks to Lee Lodyga and Marc Nathan.
Monday, June 29, 2009
tickets on sale today for second AWATS show in Akron
Don't forget today's the day! Tickets on sale for AWATS AKRON II at 11amET at http://rundgrenradio.tix.com/ or Ticketmaster! Show is set for 9/7/09 and begins at 7pm. The Sunday show is 8pm but we moved Monday's to 7pm so folks could get more sleep to make work easier on Tuesday :-).
Thursday, June 25, 2009
2 different versions of UMBRELLA MAN kasim and todds
thanks to Lin S "rednoise" for putting these up
version one is a demo version todd on vocals
http://home.comcast.net/~toddstuff/temp/UmbrellaMan-Todd.mp3
and version two is Kasim
http://home.comcast.net/~toddstuff/temp/UmbrellaMan-Kas.mp3
version one is a demo version todd on vocals
http://home.comcast.net/~toddstuff/temp/UmbrellaMan-Todd.mp3
and version two is Kasim
http://home.comcast.net/~toddstuff/temp/UmbrellaMan-Kas.mp3
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
VIDEO : UTOPIA / I'm Looking At You & Only Human
upped on youtube by imharpo
Filmed in 1982 at the "Country Club" in Reseda, California
I'm Looking At You
UTOPIA had great harmonies....
only human
Filmed in 1982 at the "Country Club" in Reseda, California
I'm Looking At You
UTOPIA had great harmonies....
only human
2ND AWATS GIG IN THE USA ANNOUNCED
2nd AWATS gig in Akron NOW OFFICIAL! Monday Sept. 7th, 2009 at 7pm (one hour earlier than Sunday gig)!!! Tickets on sale MONDAY if all goes as planned. Check www.AWATSlive.com on Thursday for an update!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
RundgrenRadio: Bourgeois Tag tonight and special announcement..
Special announcements followed by Bourgeois Tagg. BOTH of them! Show starts at 8:30pm ET as always. Chat room will be open. Listeners can call in and ask questions. You know the drill -- just BE THERE alright :-)!
www.RundgrenRadio.com
www.RundgrenRadio.com
Monday, June 22, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Michele Rundgrens play to debut soon...
North Shore's Rundgren to debut comedy play
Comedienne and North Shore resident Michele Rundgren will debut her new comedy play "What Was I Thinking? Bad Boyfriend Stories" based on a book of the same name on Kaua'i June 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. at the Wailapa Road Outdoor Amphitheater.
"It's a girls night out that the guys will finally be able to attend — if they're brave enough," Rundgren said.
Twelve Kaua'i women will join Rundgren performing skits, monologues and readings, written by well-known actresses and writers, that range from hilarious to pathetic, Rundgren said. "They all describe the moment when logic, common sense, and simple self respect finally take hold and we know it's over!"
Afterward, audience members can share their opinions about the play with Rundgren, who plans to eventually take the show on the road, followed by dancing under the stars.
Rundgren reminds everyone that material is for adult audiences only, akin to an NC-17 movie rating.
Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 on the day of the show; available at North Shore Pharmacy, Kilauea Video, Paradise Music in Princeville, Hanalei Surf Co., Backdoor or online at www.michelerundgren.com. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnic dinner and beverage of your choice. For more information, call 828-0074.
http://kauai.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090617/COMPUB0801/906170306
---
ticket info and poster at:
http://www.michelerundgren.com/
Comedienne and North Shore resident Michele Rundgren will debut her new comedy play "What Was I Thinking? Bad Boyfriend Stories" based on a book of the same name on Kaua'i June 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. at the Wailapa Road Outdoor Amphitheater.
"It's a girls night out that the guys will finally be able to attend — if they're brave enough," Rundgren said.
Twelve Kaua'i women will join Rundgren performing skits, monologues and readings, written by well-known actresses and writers, that range from hilarious to pathetic, Rundgren said. "They all describe the moment when logic, common sense, and simple self respect finally take hold and we know it's over!"
Afterward, audience members can share their opinions about the play with Rundgren, who plans to eventually take the show on the road, followed by dancing under the stars.
Rundgren reminds everyone that material is for adult audiences only, akin to an NC-17 movie rating.
Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 on the day of the show; available at North Shore Pharmacy, Kilauea Video, Paradise Music in Princeville, Hanalei Surf Co., Backdoor or online at www.michelerundgren.com. Bring blankets, lawn chairs, picnic dinner and beverage of your choice. For more information, call 828-0074.
http://kauai.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090617/COMPUB0801/906170306
---
ticket info and poster at:
http://www.michelerundgren.com/
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
new information about future stuff
this is brought to us via LYNN on Todds myspace page
Various interesting information
Todd is on the road again! I hear the Oslo show was great. It was filmed for Norway television. you can watch it ..... check out link a few posts below.
Tonight is the first show of a short US run. We have Paul Freeman opening. Paul will be calling into Rundgren Radio after soundcheck to have a chit-chat with Mel and Doug. listen in @ RundgrenRadio.
Our agent is diligently working on creating additional AWATS shows for early Sept. There are a few irons in the fire so to speak. I will let everyone know when I can.
The HDNet DVD is so close to being ready to roll. Just working out the details of the cover art which shouldnt be too much longer. I will give the release info as soon as I have it.
Lets see---I think thats all I have atm. Do you all have any questions?
xoxo
lynn
Various interesting information
Todd is on the road again! I hear the Oslo show was great. It was filmed for Norway television. you can watch it ..... check out link a few posts below.
Tonight is the first show of a short US run. We have Paul Freeman opening. Paul will be calling into Rundgren Radio after soundcheck to have a chit-chat with Mel and Doug. listen in @ RundgrenRadio.
Our agent is diligently working on creating additional AWATS shows for early Sept. There are a few irons in the fire so to speak. I will let everyone know when I can.
The HDNet DVD is so close to being ready to roll. Just working out the details of the cover art which shouldnt be too much longer. I will give the release info as soon as I have it.
Lets see---I think thats all I have atm. Do you all have any questions?
xoxo
lynn
PICTURES: OLSO show taken by Bart V
CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY BART VERSTEEG.. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THESE GREAT SHOTS..!!
CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY BART VERSTEEG.. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THESE GREAT SHOTS..!!
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY BART VERSTEEG.. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THESE GREAT SHOTS..!!
CLICK ON IMAGES TO SEE FULL SIZE
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN BY BART VERSTEEG.. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THESE GREAT SHOTS..!!
Roger Powell signs music deal with Unicorn Digital and releases Solo CD
Keyboard Legend Roger Powell Signs with Unicorn Digital and Releases Solo
Piano
Blue Note Ridge
6/16/2009 - Montreal, Qc, Canada - Unicorn Digital is proud to announce
that legendary keyboardist Roger Powell (Utopia, David Bowie, Meat Loaf) has
signed a deal with the label to release Blue Note Ridge, a collection of
improvisations that embrace classical melody, contemporary harmony and
impressionist forms on this debut solo piano album.
A stream of consciousness merging styles and eras, Blue Note Ridge is
pure, elegant and honest. In the 70’s and 80’s Roger Powell’s groundbreaking
electronic synthesizer albums Cosmic Furnace (Atlantic) and Air Pocket
(Bearsville) were hailed as masterworks. Best known for his work with pioneering
musical ensemble Utopia (featuring Todd Rundgren), as well as inventing the
'Probe' keyboard, Powell has always been held in high esteem by his peers.
“Even among the keyboard titans of the progrock Seventies, Roger Powell
always stood out.” (Future Music U.S. Ed.- June 2006).
2006 signaled a welcome return of Roger Powell with the retrofuturistic,
groove oriented, Fossil Poets (Inner Knot CD/Vinyl LP). The critically
acclaimed release was produced by award winning producer Gary Tanin who, along with
Powell, produced the 2009 solo piano offering Blue Note Ridge. "For many
years, I have wanted to release a solo piano recording, as the piano is my
main instrument from high school days onward," Roger explains. "There were a
few piano segments and pieces on my other albums, as well as on Utopia
recordings, but I had never done a full album of solo piano."
Here's what the music press have been saying about Blue Note Ridge:
"Although he's best known to rock fans as a synth/keyboard wizard, Roger
Powell is also one fine piano player, as evidenced throughout his 2009 solo
release, Blue Note Ridge. Working once more with producer Gary Tanin, a good
representation of the album would be such standouts as the album opening
"Path to the River", as well as "Take To The Sky", the latter of which was
adapted from the George Gershwin classic "Summertime". Once and for all, Blue
Note Ridge proves that there is not a musical style that Roger Powell isn't
comfortable tickling the ivories to." - Greg Prato, All Music Guide
"This 36-minute collection of 14 solo piano pieces is not the kind of
album listeners might expect, especially after 2006's Fossil Poets. The warm
elegant pieces on Blue Note Ridge are flecked with melancholy and create a
musical stream of consciousness. Some pieces border on New Age, but the music
here provides audio tranquility as serene as the album's title." - Michael
Popke, Goldmine Magazine
"With serenity always on the horizon, the pieces gathered on "Blue Note
Ridge" are tastefully jagged like the sparkingly sparse "Flint Hill" or the
opener "Path To The River" which has a nicely poised swing to it. Elsewhere
"Take To The Sky" pays a tribute to George Gershwin's "Summertime", and there's
Chopin-like majesty in "First Light" where the blues-skewed dissonance
plays a mind game. When the droplets of "Watershed" awash the ears, all these
improvisations leave so much to imagination that a new spin of the disc feels
necessary to have something fresh revealed every time." -
Dmitry Epstien - DDME.NET
"The inspiration behind the album was my desire to record some music in a
very direct and simple setting: just me and the piano, no synthesizers,
electronics or complex mixing," says Roger. "All the tracks were completely
improvised, spontaneously composed. I would just sit down at the piano, turn on
the stereo recorder and play. From several hours worth of raw material, we
selected a set of pieces that express the overall mood of introspection and
exploration."
Blue Note Ridge will be available on July 14, 2009. For more information
visit Roger Powell's official website:
www.fossilpoets.com
www.myspace.com/fossilpoets
www.unicornrecords.com/rogerpowell
Gary Tanin/Daystorm Music
PH: 414-321-9956
daystormusic@garytanin.com
Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@cs.com
Piano
Blue Note Ridge
6/16/2009 - Montreal, Qc, Canada - Unicorn Digital is proud to announce
that legendary keyboardist Roger Powell (Utopia, David Bowie, Meat Loaf) has
signed a deal with the label to release Blue Note Ridge, a collection of
improvisations that embrace classical melody, contemporary harmony and
impressionist forms on this debut solo piano album.
A stream of consciousness merging styles and eras, Blue Note Ridge is
pure, elegant and honest. In the 70’s and 80’s Roger Powell’s groundbreaking
electronic synthesizer albums Cosmic Furnace (Atlantic) and Air Pocket
(Bearsville) were hailed as masterworks. Best known for his work with pioneering
musical ensemble Utopia (featuring Todd Rundgren), as well as inventing the
'Probe' keyboard, Powell has always been held in high esteem by his peers.
“Even among the keyboard titans of the progrock Seventies, Roger Powell
always stood out.” (Future Music U.S. Ed.- June 2006).
2006 signaled a welcome return of Roger Powell with the retrofuturistic,
groove oriented, Fossil Poets (Inner Knot CD/Vinyl LP). The critically
acclaimed release was produced by award winning producer Gary Tanin who, along with
Powell, produced the 2009 solo piano offering Blue Note Ridge. "For many
years, I have wanted to release a solo piano recording, as the piano is my
main instrument from high school days onward," Roger explains. "There were a
few piano segments and pieces on my other albums, as well as on Utopia
recordings, but I had never done a full album of solo piano."
Here's what the music press have been saying about Blue Note Ridge:
"Although he's best known to rock fans as a synth/keyboard wizard, Roger
Powell is also one fine piano player, as evidenced throughout his 2009 solo
release, Blue Note Ridge. Working once more with producer Gary Tanin, a good
representation of the album would be such standouts as the album opening
"Path to the River", as well as "Take To The Sky", the latter of which was
adapted from the George Gershwin classic "Summertime". Once and for all, Blue
Note Ridge proves that there is not a musical style that Roger Powell isn't
comfortable tickling the ivories to." - Greg Prato, All Music Guide
"This 36-minute collection of 14 solo piano pieces is not the kind of
album listeners might expect, especially after 2006's Fossil Poets. The warm
elegant pieces on Blue Note Ridge are flecked with melancholy and create a
musical stream of consciousness. Some pieces border on New Age, but the music
here provides audio tranquility as serene as the album's title." - Michael
Popke, Goldmine Magazine
"With serenity always on the horizon, the pieces gathered on "Blue Note
Ridge" are tastefully jagged like the sparkingly sparse "Flint Hill" or the
opener "Path To The River" which has a nicely poised swing to it. Elsewhere
"Take To The Sky" pays a tribute to George Gershwin's "Summertime", and there's
Chopin-like majesty in "First Light" where the blues-skewed dissonance
plays a mind game. When the droplets of "Watershed" awash the ears, all these
improvisations leave so much to imagination that a new spin of the disc feels
necessary to have something fresh revealed every time." -
Dmitry Epstien - DDME.NET
"The inspiration behind the album was my desire to record some music in a
very direct and simple setting: just me and the piano, no synthesizers,
electronics or complex mixing," says Roger. "All the tracks were completely
improvised, spontaneously composed. I would just sit down at the piano, turn on
the stereo recorder and play. From several hours worth of raw material, we
selected a set of pieces that express the overall mood of introspection and
exploration."
Blue Note Ridge will be available on July 14, 2009. For more information
visit Roger Powell's official website:
www.fossilpoets.com
www.myspace.com/fossilpoets
www.unicornrecords.com/rogerpowell
Gary Tanin/Daystorm Music
PH: 414-321-9956
daystormusic@garytanin.com
Press inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@cs.com
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
pictures / articles from OSLO show last night
Friday, June 12, 2009
word on the street. must read...
More AWATS shows!
Hey European fans. The Paradiso AWATS show in Amsterdam goes on sale today
Monday 8 February 2010
Paradiso, Amsterdam
http://www.paradiso.nl
Word on the street is that there will be more US AWATS shows booked just following the Akron show.
Hey European fans. The Paradiso AWATS show in Amsterdam goes on sale today
Monday 8 February 2010
Paradiso, Amsterdam
http://www.paradiso.nl
Word on the street is that there will be more US AWATS shows booked just following the Akron show.
TODD live from Oslo .. possible broadcast ?
You might see Todd live on the internet, check it out tomorrow.... concert starts 19:00 GMT
http://www.nrk.no/festival/
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/377243
this was brought to my attention by long time utopian Bart V
http://www.nrk.no/festival/
http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/klipp/377243
this was brought to my attention by long time utopian Bart V
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Roger Powell sees reuniting with fellow Utopia band members as a great opportunity
Roger Powell sees reuniting with fellow Utopia band members as a great opportunity
Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. Keyboardist Roger Powell will be a member of the AWATS band for the Akron gig.
Akron Civic Theatre, Akron OH. Todd Rundgren will perform AWATS here on 9/6/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 10, 2009 – Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. Roger Powell will be a member of the band along with Jesse Gress, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, & Greg Hawkes. Todd, Kasim, and Roger were all part of the popular 70's band Utopia whose last concert together was 17 years ago billed as a reunion titled "Redux".
Powell played keyboards and synthesizers for Utopia from 1974 until its disbanding in 1985, playing, writing, and singing on ten of the band's eleven albums. For its live shows, Powell created the Powell Probe; the first remote, hand-held polyphonic synthesizer controller, which featured a custom-made shell used to access a complex stack of sequencers and other peripherals offstage. He was also the protege of Robert Moog (who created the Moog synthesizer), the composer and player of several solo albums, a touring musician with David Bowie and others, and an author who wrote a Keyboard Magazine column on synthesizer technique.
When recently asked on an online Blog Talk Radio program about reuniting with some fellow Utopians, Roger said he thought it was a great opportunity. "I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be fun to see everybody again - - - to see not only the guys in the band but also the loyal and true and dedicated fans who have stuck with Todd and our music over the years."
The AWATS in Akron concert is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com. Ticket prices start at $50 and are available at http://www.AWATSlive.com and http://www.Ticketmaster.com. Additional information can be found at http://www.AWATSlive.com. Todd and his band will perform other songs from his vast catalog before embarking on the full album presentation.
Over 85% of the tickets have already been sold for this Todd Rundgren "A Wizard, A True Star" theme concert in Akron and a sellout is expected by the end of June. Hundreds of fans from all over the USA will be visiting Akron to attend this "A Wizard, A True Star" gig. Some Todd Rundgren fans from 4 other countries - - - Japan, United Kingdom, Scotland, and Canada - - - will also be in attendance.
Todd will also be performing "A Wizard, A True Star" in London (Hammersmith Odeon) and Amsterdam (Pardiso) in 2010.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was Todd’s follow up to his most commercially successful album, “Something /Anything?” which included popular hits like “I Saw The Light” and “Hello It’s Me”. Instead of going with a similar sound Todd Rundgren went in a completely different direction with his electrical psychedelic album "A Wizard, A True Star". Rundgren chose to abandon stardom and, with it, conventional pop music. He began a course through uncharted musical territory, becoming a pioneer not only in electronic music and prog rock, but in music video, computer software, and Internet music delivery as well.
Although the album wasn’t a big hit with critics and didn’t reach near the sales as Todd’s previous album, it’s the clear cut favorite of Todd’s most avid fans and is considered a very influential album to thousands of musicians. Todd’s manager, Eric Gardner of Panacea Entertainment, said, “It was Todd’s 180 degree turn after 'Something/Anything?' much to the dismay of the record company and much to the dismay of radio. Back then they were hoping for a follow up of 'Something/Anything?' something in the same vein. 'A Wizard, A True Star' is actually a record that’s near and dear to Todd’s heart because it was so contrary”.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was listed in the 2006 musical reference book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. In 2003, British music critic Barney Hoskyns wrote in MOJO magazine, "Rundgren’s 'A Wizard, A True Star' is simply the greatest album ever made”.
Todd Rundgren has released over 30 albums either as a solo artist or with his bands Nazz, Utopia, and The New Cars while producing acclaimed, successful records for artists as diverse as Badfinger, Meat Loaf, Grand Funk Railroad, the New York Dolls, and XTC. Despite Todd's incredible accomplishments and influence on the music industry, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee - - - in Akron's neighboring town of Cleveland - - - has failed to induct him. Ironically, one of the reasons Ohio was chosen as the place to host this concert was because of the strong Todd fan base in Cleveland.
# # #
Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. Keyboardist Roger Powell will be a member of the AWATS band for the Akron gig.
Akron Civic Theatre, Akron OH. Todd Rundgren will perform AWATS here on 9/6/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – Jun 10, 2009 – Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio. Roger Powell will be a member of the band along with Jesse Gress, Kasim Sulton, Prairie Prince, & Greg Hawkes. Todd, Kasim, and Roger were all part of the popular 70's band Utopia whose last concert together was 17 years ago billed as a reunion titled "Redux".
Powell played keyboards and synthesizers for Utopia from 1974 until its disbanding in 1985, playing, writing, and singing on ten of the band's eleven albums. For its live shows, Powell created the Powell Probe; the first remote, hand-held polyphonic synthesizer controller, which featured a custom-made shell used to access a complex stack of sequencers and other peripherals offstage. He was also the protege of Robert Moog (who created the Moog synthesizer), the composer and player of several solo albums, a touring musician with David Bowie and others, and an author who wrote a Keyboard Magazine column on synthesizer technique.
When recently asked on an online Blog Talk Radio program about reuniting with some fellow Utopians, Roger said he thought it was a great opportunity. "I'm really looking forward to it. It's going to be fun to see everybody again - - - to see not only the guys in the band but also the loyal and true and dedicated fans who have stuck with Todd and our music over the years."
The AWATS in Akron concert is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com. Ticket prices start at $50 and are available at http://www.AWATSlive.com and http://www.Ticketmaster.com. Additional information can be found at http://www.AWATSlive.com. Todd and his band will perform other songs from his vast catalog before embarking on the full album presentation.
Over 85% of the tickets have already been sold for this Todd Rundgren "A Wizard, A True Star" theme concert in Akron and a sellout is expected by the end of June. Hundreds of fans from all over the USA will be visiting Akron to attend this "A Wizard, A True Star" gig. Some Todd Rundgren fans from 4 other countries - - - Japan, United Kingdom, Scotland, and Canada - - - will also be in attendance.
Todd will also be performing "A Wizard, A True Star" in London (Hammersmith Odeon) and Amsterdam (Pardiso) in 2010.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was Todd’s follow up to his most commercially successful album, “Something /Anything?” which included popular hits like “I Saw The Light” and “Hello It’s Me”. Instead of going with a similar sound Todd Rundgren went in a completely different direction with his electrical psychedelic album "A Wizard, A True Star". Rundgren chose to abandon stardom and, with it, conventional pop music. He began a course through uncharted musical territory, becoming a pioneer not only in electronic music and prog rock, but in music video, computer software, and Internet music delivery as well.
Although the album wasn’t a big hit with critics and didn’t reach near the sales as Todd’s previous album, it’s the clear cut favorite of Todd’s most avid fans and is considered a very influential album to thousands of musicians. Todd’s manager, Eric Gardner of Panacea Entertainment, said, “It was Todd’s 180 degree turn after 'Something/Anything?' much to the dismay of the record company and much to the dismay of radio. Back then they were hoping for a follow up of 'Something/Anything?' something in the same vein. 'A Wizard, A True Star' is actually a record that’s near and dear to Todd’s heart because it was so contrary”.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was listed in the 2006 musical reference book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. In 2003, British music critic Barney Hoskyns wrote in MOJO magazine, "Rundgren’s 'A Wizard, A True Star' is simply the greatest album ever made”.
Todd Rundgren has released over 30 albums either as a solo artist or with his bands Nazz, Utopia, and The New Cars while producing acclaimed, successful records for artists as diverse as Badfinger, Meat Loaf, Grand Funk Railroad, the New York Dolls, and XTC. Despite Todd's incredible accomplishments and influence on the music industry, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee - - - in Akron's neighboring town of Cleveland - - - has failed to induct him. Ironically, one of the reasons Ohio was chosen as the place to host this concert was because of the strong Todd fan base in Cleveland.
# # #
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
AWATS AKRON SHOW ALMOST SOLD OUT
Only 19 seats left for AWATS Akron on the www.rundgrenradio.tix.com site! Ticketmaster needs to step it up a notch but they only have 300 or so left. Packed house like it should be for the Toddster!
Monday, June 8, 2009
MORE AWATS TALK.....
some of the information below is incorrect. but its a hopeful suggestion that more USA shows will appear in time. THE USA AKRON SHOW IS WHAT LEAD TO THE EUROPE DATES!! Doug im watching your back for you while your on vacation.. !!!-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`A Wizard, A True Star' Coming In September
Posted on Monday June 8, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Three weeks after announcing a 2010 London date where he'll perform his 1973 album "A Wizard, A True Star" in its entirety, Todd Rundgren expands the concept to the U.S.A.
Rundgren is planning about a week's worth of September dates to bring A Wizard… to the stage. The album, which features virtually no dead space between tracks with each song beginning as soon as the previous tune ends, showcased Rundgren's various musical muses and resulted in cover versions of "Cool Jerk," "Ooh, Baby Baby," "La La La Means I Love You," and "I'm So Proud." The album also included tracks that would become Rundgren standards, such as "Sometimes I Don't Know How To Feel," "Just Another Onionhead" and "Just One Victory."
The September shows will also include two members of the Utopia lineup from the late 1970s: Kasim Sulton on vocals and bass and Roger Powell on keyboards and vocals.
Securing Powell's appearance at the September gigs proved to be a little difficult mainly because he just started working for game designer Electronic Arts. In fact, the reason for Rundgren doing only a week's worth of A Wizard … shows in September is because Powell has only a week off from work.
Right now, only the first date for the September run is nailed down – Sept. 6 at the Akron Civic Center in Akron, Ohio. The date is promoted by the two fans who run RundgrenRadio.com and has already sold more than 2,000 tickets.
Along with the U.S. gigs, Rundgren is also taking A Wizard, A True Star across the ocean in 2010 for a performance in London at the Apollo Hammersmith on Feb. 6, and a Feb. 8 show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.
If Rundgren likes how the U.S. shows are received, he may go back to his extensive catalog and pull out another album for the start-to-finish treatment.
Which brings us to the comment thread below. Which album do you think Rundgren should perform in its entirety after he completes the A Wizard, A True Star shows? Yes, he does have a lot of albums to his credit, including several under the Utopia moniker. But we think you can probably slim that list down to a few excellent choices. How about it?
--Jay Sm
POLLSTAR
http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2009/06/08/671353.aspx
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
`A Wizard, A True Star' Coming In September
Posted on Monday June 8, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Three weeks after announcing a 2010 London date where he'll perform his 1973 album "A Wizard, A True Star" in its entirety, Todd Rundgren expands the concept to the U.S.A.
Rundgren is planning about a week's worth of September dates to bring A Wizard… to the stage. The album, which features virtually no dead space between tracks with each song beginning as soon as the previous tune ends, showcased Rundgren's various musical muses and resulted in cover versions of "Cool Jerk," "Ooh, Baby Baby," "La La La Means I Love You," and "I'm So Proud." The album also included tracks that would become Rundgren standards, such as "Sometimes I Don't Know How To Feel," "Just Another Onionhead" and "Just One Victory."
The September shows will also include two members of the Utopia lineup from the late 1970s: Kasim Sulton on vocals and bass and Roger Powell on keyboards and vocals.
Securing Powell's appearance at the September gigs proved to be a little difficult mainly because he just started working for game designer Electronic Arts. In fact, the reason for Rundgren doing only a week's worth of A Wizard … shows in September is because Powell has only a week off from work.
Right now, only the first date for the September run is nailed down – Sept. 6 at the Akron Civic Center in Akron, Ohio. The date is promoted by the two fans who run RundgrenRadio.com and has already sold more than 2,000 tickets.
Along with the U.S. gigs, Rundgren is also taking A Wizard, A True Star across the ocean in 2010 for a performance in London at the Apollo Hammersmith on Feb. 6, and a Feb. 8 show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam.
If Rundgren likes how the U.S. shows are received, he may go back to his extensive catalog and pull out another album for the start-to-finish treatment.
Which brings us to the comment thread below. Which album do you think Rundgren should perform in its entirety after he completes the A Wizard, A True Star shows? Yes, he does have a lot of albums to his credit, including several under the Utopia moniker. But we think you can probably slim that list down to a few excellent choices. How about it?
--Jay Sm
POLLSTAR
http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2009/06/08/671353.aspx
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
roger powell article
An Interview with Roger Powell – Ex Utopia Keyboardist And VocalistPosted on June 5th, 2009 by Simon Barrett in Interview, Music Reviews, ReviewsRead 56 times.Roger Powell is a man that needs no introduction. His keyboarding skills are world famous. His time with Utopia should be enough to establish his Bone Fides. While Todd Rundgren may be the name most remember, it was Roger Powell that was the power behind the Synths.
In the 70’s the holy grail in the synth world was to create a polyphonic synth. Robert Moog had created a wonderful tool for musicians but it was limited to one not at a time. Roger Powell created his own multi note synth, but it was largely through some clever smoke and mirrors. He had six synths hidden off stage, and on stage he had a custom keyboard embedded into a guitar shell.
Apparently while touring someone stole the funky keyboard, but, and this could only happen in this internet age! 26 years after the theft Roger spotted it for sale on E-Bay. Slightly worse for wear it is now back in his possession. Alas the synths have long since fallen by the wayside, but this particular piece is a one of a kind.
Roger Powell is a smart cookie. not only did he create a polyphonic synth, but he went on to become a serious software developer. Maybe his greatest creation was an early Midi sequencer.
Utopia called it a day in 1985 and while Roger continued to play music he also explored the corporate world. A time with Silicone Graphics, ten years with Apple Computers, and for the past month he has been with Electronic Arts. EA is likely the best known computer game company in the world. While I could not quite pry out of Roger what super secret project he is involved, even though I assured him that our listeners would not spill the beans, our listeners know how to keep a secret! Well he would not divulge the exact nature of the project, but he did admit that it involves music.
You can catch the whole interview here, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Simon-Barrett/2009/06/05/Roger-Powell oh and you will have the opportunity to sample a couple of tracks from Blue Ridge Note.
Simon Barrett
In the 70’s the holy grail in the synth world was to create a polyphonic synth. Robert Moog had created a wonderful tool for musicians but it was limited to one not at a time. Roger Powell created his own multi note synth, but it was largely through some clever smoke and mirrors. He had six synths hidden off stage, and on stage he had a custom keyboard embedded into a guitar shell.
Apparently while touring someone stole the funky keyboard, but, and this could only happen in this internet age! 26 years after the theft Roger spotted it for sale on E-Bay. Slightly worse for wear it is now back in his possession. Alas the synths have long since fallen by the wayside, but this particular piece is a one of a kind.
Roger Powell is a smart cookie. not only did he create a polyphonic synth, but he went on to become a serious software developer. Maybe his greatest creation was an early Midi sequencer.
Utopia called it a day in 1985 and while Roger continued to play music he also explored the corporate world. A time with Silicone Graphics, ten years with Apple Computers, and for the past month he has been with Electronic Arts. EA is likely the best known computer game company in the world. While I could not quite pry out of Roger what super secret project he is involved, even though I assured him that our listeners would not spill the beans, our listeners know how to keep a secret! Well he would not divulge the exact nature of the project, but he did admit that it involves music.
You can catch the whole interview here, http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Simon-Barrett/2009/06/05/Roger-Powell oh and you will have the opportunity to sample a couple of tracks from Blue Ridge Note.
Simon Barrett
Thursday, June 4, 2009
roger powell interview 6/5/09
Roger Powell will be interviewed live on the internet
tomorrow at 6:00 pm EST - here's the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Simon-Barrett/2009/06/05/Roger-Powell
They will be playing a couple tracks from his new CD.
tomorrow at 6:00 pm EST - here's the link:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Simon-Barrett/2009/06/05/Roger-Powell
They will be playing a couple tracks from his new CD.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
AWATS Akron poster
click on image to see full size poster might change when they get closer to actual production
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
drum roll................. band lineup for USA AWATS show
Jesse Gress, Prairie Prince, Kasim Sulton, Greg Hawkes, Roger Powell
muscians to be announced no tonights RundgrenRadio show
direct from RundgrenRadio facebook page
AWATS Akron band announcement tonight on RR!!! You're going to be more tripped out than TR was when he did the AWATS album :-)!
AWATS Akron band announcement tonight on RR!!! You're going to be more tripped out than TR was when he did the AWATS album :-)!
Monday, May 25, 2009
RundgrenRadio: John Oates
Rundgren Radio with John Oates
Rundgren Radio
Date / Time: 5/26/2009 8:30 PM
Category: Music
Call-in Number: (646) 716-9262
Special guest John Oates of the pop music duo Hall & Oates. The duo has recorded 21 albums which have sold over 80 million units worldwide, making them arguably the most successful duo in pop/rock history. They have scored 10 number one records, over 20 top 40 hits and have toured the world for decades. John also has two solo albums, "Phunk Shui" (2002) and "1000 Miles of Life" (2008). For more info, please visit: http://www.johnoates.com/ .
Rundgren Radio
Date / Time: 5/26/2009 8:30 PM
Category: Music
Call-in Number: (646) 716-9262
Special guest John Oates of the pop music duo Hall & Oates. The duo has recorded 21 albums which have sold over 80 million units worldwide, making them arguably the most successful duo in pop/rock history. They have scored 10 number one records, over 20 top 40 hits and have toured the world for decades. John also has two solo albums, "Phunk Shui" (2002) and "1000 Miles of Life" (2008). For more info, please visit: http://www.johnoates.com/ .
Saturday, May 23, 2009
press article: AWATS live show
http://www.prlog.org/10242335-todd-rundgren-to-perform-his-album-wizard-true-star-live-for-the-first-time-ever.html
Todd Rundgren to perform his album A Wizard, A True Star live for the first time ever
Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire “A Wizard, A True Star” album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre beginning at 8pm. The concert is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com.
Album cover of Todd Rundgren's "A Wizard, A True Star"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – May 22, 2009 – Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio beginning at 8pm. The concert is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com. Ticket prices start at $50 and are available at http://www.AWATSlive.com and http://www.Ticketmaster.com. Additional information can be found at http://www.AWATSlive.com. Todd will be performing with several musicians that have not been announced yet. Todd and his band will perform other songs from his vast catalog before embarking on the full album presentation.
Over 75% of the tickets have already been sold for this theme concert and a sellout is expected by the end of May. Hundreds of fans from all over the USA will be visiting Akron to attend this "A Wizard, A True Star" gig. Some Todd Rundgren fans from 4 other countries - - - Japan, United Kingdom, Scotland, and Canada - - - will also be in attendance.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was Todd’s follow up to his most commercially successful album, “Something /Anything?” which included popular hits like “I Saw The Light” and “Hello It’s Me”. Instead of going with a similar sound Todd Rundgren went in a completely different direction with his electrical psychedelic album "A Wizard, A True Star". Rundgren chose to abandon stardom and, with it, conventional pop music. He began a course through uncharted musical territory, becoming a pioneer not only in electronic music and prog rock, but in music video, computer software, and Internet music delivery as well.
Although the album wasn’t a big hit with critics and didn’t reach near the sales as Todd’s previous album, it’s the clear cut favorite of Todd’s most avid fans and is considered a very influential album to thousands of musicians. Todd’s manager, Eric Gardner of Panacea Entertainment, said, “It was Todd’s 180 degree turn after 'Something/Anything?' much to the dismay of the record company and much to the dismay of radio. Back then they were hoping for a follow up of 'Something/Anything?' something in the same vein. 'A Wizard, A True Star' is actually a record that’s near and dear to Todd’s heart because it was so contrary”.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was listed in the 2006 musical reference book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. In 2003, British music critic Barney Hoskyns wrote in MOJO magazine, "Rundgren’s 'A Wizard, A True Star' is simply the greatest album ever made”.
Todd Rundgren has released over 30 albums either as a solo artist or with his bands Nazz, Utopia, and The New Cars while producing acclaimed, successful records for artists as diverse as Badfinger, Meat Loaf, Grand Funk Railroad, the New York Dolls, and XTC. Despite Todd's incredible accomplishments and influence on the music industry, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee - - - in Akron's neighboring town of Cleveland - - - has failed to induct him. Ironically, one of the reasons Ohio was chosen as the place to host this concert was because of the strong Todd fan base in Cleveland.
# # #
Rundgren Radio is an online talk radio show for Todd Rundgren fans that airs Tuesday nights at 8:30pm Eastern time. The shows aren't all about Todd but he's the common theme among the guests as they all have some type of connection with him. Listeners can call-in to ask the guests questions during the show.
The shows are archived permanently online. Rundgren Radio has been mentioned in Guitar Player and Goldmine magazines recently and they are consistenly in the top 3 (currently #1) out of hundreds of music shows on BlogTalkRadio.
Some of the special guests they've had on their shows include ...
Kasim Sulton
Prairie Prince
Todd Rundgren
Michele Rundgren
Roger Powell
Michael Urbano
John Montagna
John Ferenzik
Tony Levin
Lyle Workman
Jesse Gress
Willie Wilcox
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory
Larry Tagg
Godfrey Townsend
Hunt & Tony Sales
Greg Hawkes
Brent Bourgeois
Rachel Haden
Colin Moulding
Jill Sobule
Ellen Foley
David Sanborn
Rick Derringer
John Oates
Todd Rundgren to perform his album A Wizard, A True Star live for the first time ever
Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire “A Wizard, A True Star” album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre beginning at 8pm. The concert is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com.
Album cover of Todd Rundgren's "A Wizard, A True Star"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRLog (Press Release) – May 22, 2009 – Musician Todd Rundgren will perform his entire "A Wizard, A True Star" album live for the first time ever on September 6th, 2009 at the Akron Civic Theatre in Akron, Ohio beginning at 8pm. The concert is being presented by RundgrenRadio.com. Ticket prices start at $50 and are available at http://www.AWATSlive.com and http://www.Ticketmaster.com. Additional information can be found at http://www.AWATSlive.com. Todd will be performing with several musicians that have not been announced yet. Todd and his band will perform other songs from his vast catalog before embarking on the full album presentation.
Over 75% of the tickets have already been sold for this theme concert and a sellout is expected by the end of May. Hundreds of fans from all over the USA will be visiting Akron to attend this "A Wizard, A True Star" gig. Some Todd Rundgren fans from 4 other countries - - - Japan, United Kingdom, Scotland, and Canada - - - will also be in attendance.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was Todd’s follow up to his most commercially successful album, “Something /Anything?” which included popular hits like “I Saw The Light” and “Hello It’s Me”. Instead of going with a similar sound Todd Rundgren went in a completely different direction with his electrical psychedelic album "A Wizard, A True Star". Rundgren chose to abandon stardom and, with it, conventional pop music. He began a course through uncharted musical territory, becoming a pioneer not only in electronic music and prog rock, but in music video, computer software, and Internet music delivery as well.
Although the album wasn’t a big hit with critics and didn’t reach near the sales as Todd’s previous album, it’s the clear cut favorite of Todd’s most avid fans and is considered a very influential album to thousands of musicians. Todd’s manager, Eric Gardner of Panacea Entertainment, said, “It was Todd’s 180 degree turn after 'Something/Anything?' much to the dismay of the record company and much to the dismay of radio. Back then they were hoping for a follow up of 'Something/Anything?' something in the same vein. 'A Wizard, A True Star' is actually a record that’s near and dear to Todd’s heart because it was so contrary”.
"A Wizard, A True Star" was listed in the 2006 musical reference book, “1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die”. In 2003, British music critic Barney Hoskyns wrote in MOJO magazine, "Rundgren’s 'A Wizard, A True Star' is simply the greatest album ever made”.
Todd Rundgren has released over 30 albums either as a solo artist or with his bands Nazz, Utopia, and The New Cars while producing acclaimed, successful records for artists as diverse as Badfinger, Meat Loaf, Grand Funk Railroad, the New York Dolls, and XTC. Despite Todd's incredible accomplishments and influence on the music industry, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame committee - - - in Akron's neighboring town of Cleveland - - - has failed to induct him. Ironically, one of the reasons Ohio was chosen as the place to host this concert was because of the strong Todd fan base in Cleveland.
# # #
Rundgren Radio is an online talk radio show for Todd Rundgren fans that airs Tuesday nights at 8:30pm Eastern time. The shows aren't all about Todd but he's the common theme among the guests as they all have some type of connection with him. Listeners can call-in to ask the guests questions during the show.
The shows are archived permanently online. Rundgren Radio has been mentioned in Guitar Player and Goldmine magazines recently and they are consistenly in the top 3 (currently #1) out of hundreds of music shows on BlogTalkRadio.
Some of the special guests they've had on their shows include ...
Kasim Sulton
Prairie Prince
Todd Rundgren
Michele Rundgren
Roger Powell
Michael Urbano
John Montagna
John Ferenzik
Tony Levin
Lyle Workman
Jesse Gress
Willie Wilcox
Andy Partridge
Dave Gregory
Larry Tagg
Godfrey Townsend
Hunt & Tony Sales
Greg Hawkes
Brent Bourgeois
Rachel Haden
Colin Moulding
Jill Sobule
Ellen Foley
David Sanborn
Rick Derringer
John Oates
Thursday, May 21, 2009
AWATS seats are selling quick
the buzz is the Ohio AWATS show is over 75 % sold. Don't miss this opportunity to see a big band play A WIZARD A TRUE STAR lp from start to finish.
Europe AWATS show announced 2/6/2010
Todd Rundgren - rock'n'roll icon, guitarist, interactive progenitor, singer/songwriter and record producer, will perform his paradigm shifting 1973 album, A Wizard, a True Star in its entirety for the first time ever in Britain on Saturday 6th February 2010 at the London HMV Hammersmith Apollo. This marks Todd's only UK performance of the album which is hailed as an influential masterpiece by many of today's new bands, including Hot Chip.
Tickets for the concert go on sale at 9am on Wednesday May 27th. Tickets are priced £48.50, £45.00, £40.00, £32.00 (Agency and credit card bookings subject to a fee). Ticket Hotline: 08700 603 777, Book Online: www.seetickets.com.
For the official online press release, click here - http://www.noblepr.co.uk/Press_Releases/meanfiddler/Todd_Rundgren_wizard.htm
Although Rundgren's breakthrough 1972 album, Something/Anything? is considered by many to be his masterpiece, the psychedelic impact and bordering-on-disturbing innovation of the follow-up, A Wizard, A True Star is arguably Rundgren's most experimental and influential album and is regarded as one of the most pioneering progressive rock albums of all time.
This will be the first time in Britain that he will perform the whole record live onstage, from start to finish. The first half of the concert will feature a selection of Rundgren's songs throughout his career, while the second half will consist of the entirety of A Wizard, a True Star. Originally released in 1973, much of the album is an extended medley after the fashion of The Beatles' late recordings. The effect of the songs merging one into another was immediate, infectious and dazzling; the lyrical content was often at once both tongue in cheek and hallucinogenic
presale code for toronto show
A new Todd Rundgren presale password has been posted: this means that you can buy Todd Rundgren tickets before anyone else! The special free pre-sale password for Todd Rundgrens concert in Toronto unlocks tickets EARLY. This is your chance to see Todd Rundgren perform live! Here is the Todd Rundgren concert information:
Todd Rundgren
The Mod Club Theatre, Toronto, ON
Sunday, June 28 2009 at 8:00 PM
Livenation-Citi:
Thu, 05/21/09 10:00 AM EDT
Fri, 05/22/09 10:00 AM EDT
Todd Rundgren fanclub presale code: The Presale Password for this event is...
LIVE, 412800 or the first 6 digits of your CITIBANK card number
go to this link below to order and use code
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/408197/
Todd Rundgren
The Mod Club Theatre, Toronto, ON
Sunday, June 28 2009 at 8:00 PM
Livenation-Citi:
Thu, 05/21/09 10:00 AM EDT
Fri, 05/22/09 10:00 AM EDT
Todd Rundgren fanclub presale code: The Presale Password for this event is...
LIVE, 412800 or the first 6 digits of your CITIBANK card number
go to this link below to order and use code
http://www.livenation.com/edp/eventId/408197/
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
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