Wednesday, September 22, 2010

A who's who of Kiwi music talent flocked to Auckland to take guitar lessons from actress Liv Tyler's stepfather

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/4157941/Rundgren-shares-his-guitar-tricks-with-Kiwi-musicians

A who's who of Kiwi music talent flocked to Auckland to take guitar lessons from actress Liv Tyler's stepfather.

Todd Rundgren, 62, is in New Zealand to perform two shows – in Auckland tomorrow and at the San Francisco Bath House in Wellington on Sunday.

While here he also held a guitar masterclass. Among his students were Eddie Rayner of Split Enz, Andy Lynch of the Feelers, Nigel Gavin of Nairobi Trio, Jeremy Toy of Opensouls and music critic Nick Bollinger.

Rundgren produced Meatloaf's Bat Out of Hell, and has worked with an eclectic lineup of stars from Patti Smith to Cheap Trick, Hall and Oates, Grand Funk Railroad and Psychedelic Furs. His publicity claims he has been "shaping the musical and multimedia membrane for almost 40 years".

He is known for being able to mimic a multitude of everyday sounds on his guitar, including a Harley Davidson motorbike, which he demonstrated to those attending his class.

Rikki Morris, who in 1988 had a No1 song, Nobody Else, and won an APRA Silver Scroll, said he was awestruck at the chance to meet Rundgren. "He's probably my favourite male singer of all time.

"I've been a Todd Rundgren fan for over 30-odd years, so to not only get to see him perform but to come and hear him talk and get to meet him is a huge thing for me."

Rundgren said people came to the workshop not necessarily to learn from him but to hear his perspective on music.

"I don't consider myself a maestro on the guitar, but I do know some things that are adventurous to other guitarists."

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