Monday, October 24, 2011

Todd Rundgren returns to IU for homecoming parade






By Mike Leonard mleonard@heraldt.com
October 24, 2011

Rock star and musical impressario Todd Rundgren will return to the Indiana University campus Friday to serve as grand marshal of this year’s homecoming parade.

He’s more than a fitting choice, given this year’s homecoming theme: “Rocktoberfest.”

The acclaimed songwriter, musician and producer served at the ninth instructor in the Wells Scholars Program at IU last fall. He gave several lectures and question-and-answer sessions for IU classes and performed a free recital at Auer Hall.

Rundgren also joined the IU’s Marching Hundred at Memorial Stadium during last year’s football game against Northwestern, leading a brief rendition of his sports stadium favorite, “Bang the Drum All Day.”

As grand marshal, Rundgren will ride in a convertible during the parade, which starts a 7 p.m. at Third and Jordan and culminates at Sample Gates at Kirkwood and Indiana. This year’s event will feature the inaugural Homecoming Light Parade, in which entries in the parade and participants are encouraged to use lighting in a variety of ways such as holiday lights, glow sticks, flashlights, car flashers and more, according to Tricia Riveire, alumni programs officer.

After other remarks and activities in the pep rally at Sample Gates, Rundgren will lead the Marching Hundred in a full version of “Bang the Drum All Day,” a jaunty, popular song regularly played at sports arenas across the country