Rundgren: No regrets over Meat Loaf cash-in

 

at 10:34am May 3 2013

Never looked back: Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren has never looked back after selling his production points on Meat Loaf’s classic album Bat Out Of Hell.
He admits he’s never made the same kind of money again in his career – but that cutting a deal with the singer and the record label set him up with a lifestyle he enjoys in Hawaii.
Rundgren tells The Guardian: “The actual number is contested, although it’s generally considered to be in the top five-selling albums of all time.
“I don’t actually collect royalties for it any more. I decided to opt out – I wanted to move to Kauai and get this particular piece of property. So I offered my points to Meat Loaf and Sony and said: ‘Just buy me out.’ They did, and that’s why I’m living in Kauai right now. And I’ve never regretted that decision.”
He recalls of manning the desk for the 1977 record: “I originally took the job on under duress. Meat Loaf dumped his record label on the eve of us going into the studio, and that meant I was the ultimate underwriter of the whole project. That’s why in the end I did so well – by some estimation better than Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman.”
Rundgren won’t put a figure on much he made, although he says it was less than tens of millions, and adds: “My very first royalty cheque was for three quarters of a million. I haven’t seen one like it since.”
His own new album, State, was released last month. He’ll tour the UK in June.

Todd Rundgren UK tour

Jun 6: Glasgow ABC
Jun 7: Edinburgh Picture House
Jun 9: Manchester Ritz
Jun 11: Gateshead Sage
Jun 12: Birmingham Academy
Jun 13: Bristol Academy
Jun 15: London Shepherds Bush Empire