The "almost" official blog for everything Todd Rundgren Related........................................................................................................................................................................... Please visit the sister facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ma4utopia?ref=hl
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Todd Rundgren To Perform With The Akron Symphony Orchestra For Two Nights In Akron Ohio in September
Todd Rundgren To Perform With The Akron Symphony Orchestra For Two Nights In Akron Ohio in September
The concerts are being held at the Akron Civic Theatre on September 5th and 6th of 2015 which is Labor Day weekend. Both concerts are being presented by RundgrenRadio.com.
Todd Rundgren photo by Jim Snyder
The set lists will feature some of the songs Todd has performed with orchestras in the past and some new additions. Fans that attend both concerts will get to see Todd perform a total of 14 songs he has never performed with an orchestra. A few of the songs from past orchestra concerts with Todd include hits like "Hello it's Me", "We Gotta Get You a Woman", and "Can We Still Be Friends" as well as fan favorites like "Fade Away, "Another Life", and "Second Wind".
Melinda Cain of Rundgren Radio said, "We don't want to be setlist spoilers so we're keeping the list of new songs a secret but I will share that the list is mixed with some more hits and classics and some songs Todd hasn't performed live in decades or ever. There's also a few songs from Utopia on the list and Todd has never performed any Utopia songs with an orchestra in the past." (Editor's note: "Another Life" is a Todd Rundgren's Utopia song, not Utopia).
Special guest performers with Todd and the orchestra include Kevin Ellman of Todd Rundgren's Utopia (drums), Jesse Gress (guitar), Greg Hawkes of The Cars (keyboards), Kasim Sulton of Utopia (bass and background vocals), Michele Rundgren (background vocals), and Mary Lou Arnold (background vocals).
In June of 2012, Todd performed two concerts with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra in Rockford, IL. In September of 2013, Todd performed a concert with the Akron Youth Symphony and Akron Symphony Orchestra in Akron, OH. All of the Todd Rundgren symphonic concerts in North America were presented by RundgrenRadio.com.
The idea of Todd performing with a full orchestra was the brainchild of Netherlands radio DJ and music connoisseur Co de Kloet. His idea came to life in September of 2011 when Todd performed two concerts in the Netherlands backed by the Dutch Metropole Orchestra. Todd returned to Amsterdam in November of 2012 and performed again with the Dutch Metropole Orchestra in front of a sold out crowd at the famous Paradiso venue.
On February 19th of 2016, Todd will perform his album "Up Against It" as well as some additional songs with the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra in Groningen (The Netherlands)
TODD RUNDGREN
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Todd Rundgren began playing guitar as a teenager, going on to front The Nazz, the quintessential 60s psychedelic pop group. In 1969, he left the band to pursue a solo career, recording his debut album “Runt”, but it was 1972's seminal “Something / Anything?” (on which he played all the instruments, sang all the vocal parts, and acted as his own producer) that catapulted Todd into the limelight, prompting the media to dub him "Rock's New Wunderkind."
As a songwriter, video pioneer, producer, recording artist, computer software developer, conceptualist, and interactive artist, Todd Rundgren has made a lasting impact on both the form and content of popular music. Among his myriad of hits are "Hello It's Me", "I Saw the Light", "Can We Still be Friends", "We Gotta Get You A Woman", "Open My Eyes", and "Bang the Drum" (the latter a mainstay on ESPN and in television commercials)
Rundgren's prolific producer's discography includes such classics as Skylarking by XTC, We're an American Band by Grand Funk Railroad, War Babies by Hall & Oates, Wave by Patti Smith, and Meat Loaf's auspicious debut Bat Out of Hell (the fifth best selling album of all time with some 42 million sales). Sealing his reputation as rock's renaissance man, Rundgren composed all the music and lyrics for Joe Papp's 1989 Off- Broadway production of Joe Orton's “Up Against It” (the screenplay commissioned by The Beatles for what was meant to have been their third motion picture), as well as the score for “Dumb And Dumber” and a number of television series, including “Pee Wee's Playhouse” and “Crime Story”. He is also internationally acknowledged as the Godfather of the marriage of music and multimedia.
Few artists have been as fearless and groundbreaking - nor possess such an expansive and exceptional body of work - as Todd Rundgren has throughout his career.
AKRON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Widely recognized for musical excellence and performance versatility, the Akron Symphony Orchestra is committed to enhancing the quality of life of their community through educational and musical excellence.
The Akron Symphony Orchestra is operated by the Greater Akron Musical Association (GAMA). GAMA’s vision is to be embraced and sustained as a community treasure that provides a welcoming environment for all people to experience great music. This vision is realized by operating the Akron Symphony Orchestra, Akron Youth Orchestras, Akron Symphony Chorus and the Gospel Meets Symphony Choir, along with numerous special outreach and educational programs.
AKRON CIVIC THEATRE
The Akron Civic Theatre has provided the Akron community with a venue for quality entertainment and live performances for over seventy years. During that time, hundreds of thousands of people have been thrilled by various theatrical presentations, both on stage and on screen.
Long recognized among the community’s cultural landmarks, the Akron Civic Theatre has a rich and spectacular history including the first ever Todd Rundgren "A Wizard, A True Star" album live concert as well as his "Todd + Healing" albums live concerts.
The theater was built in 1929 by Marcus Loew and designed by famed theater architect, John Eberson. The interior structure was fashioned after a Moorish castle featuring Mediterranean decor, including medieval carvings, authentic European antiques and Italian alabaster sculptures.
Among facilities of its size, the Civic is one of only five remaining atmospheric theaters in the country where patrons experience a twinkling star-lit sky and intermittent clouds moving across the horizon, all while sitting inside the auditorium.
RUNDGREN RADIO
Rundgren Radio is an online talk radio show for Todd Rundgren and music fans that was founded in 2007. Since 2008, the hosts Doug and CruiserMel, have also promoted multiple fan parties and numerous Todd Rundgren concerts including several first-ever shows.
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
NY and Reno dates added to tour
Huntington NY and Reno NV have just been added to TR's tour dates. Pre-sale for both is tomorrow at 10AM via tickemaster
| May 26, Tue | New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues |
| May 27, Wed | Dallas, TX - The Prophet Bar |
| May 28, Thu | Houston, TX - House Of Blues |
| May 30, Sat | Las Vegas, NV - Vinyl - Hard Rock Hotel and Casino |
| May 31, Sun | Tucson, AZ - Fox Theater |
| June 2, Tue | Solana Beach, CA - Belly Up |
| June 3, Wed | Hollywood, CA - The Roxy |
| June 4, Thu | Hollywood, CA - The Roxy |
| June 5, Fri | Los Angeles, CA - Grove Barnes and Noble - In Store Appearance |
| June 6, Sat | San Juan Capistrano, CA - The Coach House |
| June 9, Tue | Napa Valley, CA - City Winery |
| June 10, Wed | San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore |
| June 12, Fri | Portland, OR - Wonder Ballroom |
| June 13, Sat | Seattle, WA - The Crocodile |
| July 25, Sat | Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-cho, Niigata Pref., Japan - Fuji Rock Festival |
| July 29, Wed | Grass Valley, CA - Center For The Arts |
| July 30, Thu | Napa Valley, CA - City Winery (second show added) |
| July 31, Fri | Reno, NV - Harrah's Reno Convention Center |
| August 2, Sun | Denver, CO - The Bluebird |
| August 5, Wed | Chicago, IL - Thalia Hall (recent venue change) |
| August 6, Thu | Oshkosh, WI - Waterfest |
| August 8, Sat | Peoria, IL - Limelight Eventplex |
| August 9, Sun | Ferndale, MI - The Magic Bag |
| August 11, Tue | Kent, OH - Kent Stage |
| August 12, Wed | Lorain, OH - Lorain Palace Theater |
| August 14, Fri | Englewood, NJ - Bergen Performing Arts Center |
| August 15, Sat | Tarrytown, NY - Tarrytown Music Hall |
| August 16, Sun | Salisbury, MA - Blue Ocean Music Hall |
| August 18, Tue | Huntington, NY - The Paramount |
| August 19, Wed | Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live |
| August 20, Thu | Richmond, VA - The National |
| August 22, Sat | Englewood, FL - Englewood Event Center |
| August 23, Sun | Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live |
| August 27, Thu | San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theater |
| August 29, Sat | Jackson, MS - Duling Hall |
| Sept 2, Wed | Louisville, KY - Mercury Lounge |
Saturday, May 23, 2015
Happy 8th Birthday Rundgren Radio...
|
| ||||
|
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Friday, May 15, 2015
Todd Rundgren builds different kind of career
http://www.news-record.com/go_triad/todd-rundgren-builds-different-kind-of-career/article_6b26b39e-6dcc-5dc9-94db-dee3d669d561.html
Todd Rundgren builds different kind of career
Todd Rundgren will perform at Cone Denim Entertainment Center in Greensboro.
Posted: Thursday, May 14, 2015 5:00 am
Early in Todd Rundgren’s career, he decided essentially that being unique musically was more important and satisfying than being popular.
“I came to a point where I realized it was fruitless for me to make music that other people could make just as well,” Rundgren said during a recent phone interview. “I had to make music that other people weren’t making in order to justify my musical existence. It’s kind of been that way ever since.”
Rundgren has followed that philosophy since the early 1970s, when his third solo effort, the landmark 1972 double album “Something/Anything?” put him on the cusp of stardom. Songs such as the hit singles “Hello It’s Me” and “I Saw The Light,” as well as “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference” and “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” reaffirmed Rundgren’s gift for writing concise and indelible pop gems.
Rundgren, who released his 25th solo album, “Global,” on April 7, realized in the wake of that initial success that he could continue in the vein of “Something/Anything?” and very possibly become one of the biggest stars of that era. But he had a different kind of career in mind, which dovetailed with his natural tendency to explore and reinvent himself musically.
“(Sticking to a successful musical blueprint) will build you an audience of a certain kind, but I don’t know if it builds the loyalty that being a little bit more bold does,” Rundgren said.
“What happened was it looked like I was building up a giant, but wide, but shallow fan base through ‘Something/Anything?’ and the hit singles on the radio. And then when I pull a stunt like ‘A Wizard, A True Star’ after that, it essentially culls out all of the shallowest part of the audience and leaves you with the really committed listener. And so all of my fans, a lot of them, have been following what I’ve done for decades. It’s the reason why I still have a career.”
“A Wizard, A True Star” indeed was a radical departure from “Something/Anything?” Rundgren turned away from the three-minute pop song format and created an album that stylistically was all over the pop/psychedelic map, and at times eccentric and sonically dense enough that it took multiple listens to absorb.
Rundgren has made more accessible albums since, but he has remained a relentlessly adventurous and frequently innovative artist.
“Global” finds Rundgren continuing to explore an electronic music vein that he first tapped with the 1993 interactive release, “New World Order” and has featured on several subsequent albums, including “Liars” (2004) and “State” (2013). Guitars are almost entirely absent on “Global,” as Rundgren uses synthesizers, sequencers, computers and programmed rhythms to create the musical backdrop for what, ironically enough, might feel like a collection of fairly conventional and equally appealing pop songs in a guitar/bass/drums setting.
As on many recent albums, Rundgren plays all the instruments on “Global,” and he’s found that the tools of electronic dance music suit his methods as well as his music.
“It’s partly because you have broader control over sonic palate,” Rundgren said, explaining his attraction to a synthesized sound. “It’s kind of satisfying. In the old days, we used to kind of struggle to achieve some of the sounds that you kind of imagined hearing. Now, it’s kind of a riot of possibilities out there.”
But if Rundgren uses a modern EDM musical palate on “Global,” he actually thinks the album has more in common with ’80s synth-pop acts such as Depeche Mode.
“If I had to characterize this record (“Global”), I’d say it’s almost like an ’80s record,” he said.
Rundgren will present his latest music on tour in a musical format that’s unconventional but also suits the music on “Global.”
“The last time I went out (on tour), I tried to sort of deejay for myself,” Rundgren said, providing context for the new tour. “I had drummer and guitar player to soften up the sound a bit. I tried to deejay myself. But the responsibilities of singing and fronting were kind of greater than I expected.
"So this time, I’m just taking a DJ, me and two background singers, and I’ll be essentially fronting the whole time. I won’t be attempting to run the music at all. We’re putting a big emphasis on the production as well. We’re taking a lot of lights and stuff. So it will be a very visual show, a lot of emphasis, of course, on the new record and the last record, but also we’ll be going back and digging up some material from the past to present in a somewhat modernized format.”
Alan Sculley writes for Last Word Features.
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
tour dates: Updated new shows added
May 12: Ridgefield CT at Ridgefield Playhouse
May 13 New Hope, PA at Havana New Hope
May 14: Alexandria VA at Birchmere Music Hall
May16 Wilmington, DE at World Cafe Live At The Queen
May 17: Annapolis MD at Maryland Hall
May 19: Greensboro, NC at Cone Denim Entertainment
May 20: Atlanta, GA at Center Stage
May 22 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
May 23: Ft. Lauderdale at Culture Room
May 24 : Ponte Vedra Beach, FL at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
May 26: New Orleans at House of Blues
May 27: Dallas at Prophet Bar
May 28 : Houston, TX at House Of Blues
May 30 : Las Vegas , NV at Vinyl - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hard Rock Hotel
May 31 Tucson AZ Fox Theater
Jun 2: Solana Beach CA at Belly Up
Jun 3: Los Angeles at The Roxy
June 4 : Los Angeles at The Roxy
June 5, Fri Los Angles, CA - Grove Barnes and Noble - In Store Appearance
Jun 6: San Juan Capistrano CA at Coach House
June 7th : Anaheim , CA at The House Of Blues
Jun 9: Napa at City Winery
June 10th : San Francisco at The Fillmore
Jun 12: Portland , OR at The Wonder Ballroom
June 13: Seattle, WA at The Crocodile
July 25th : Fuji Rock Festival - Japan
July 29th : Grass Valley , CA at The Center For The Arts
August 2nd - Denver , CO at The Bluebird
August 4 & 5 - Evanston, IL at SPACE
Aug. 9 - Ferndale, MI at The Magic Bag
August 11- Kent, OH at Kent Stage
Aug. 12. - Lorain, OH at Lorain Palace
Aug. 14 - Englewood, NJ- Bergen PAC
Aug. 15 - Tarrytown , NY - Music Hall
Aug. 20 - Richmond, VA at The National
August 23 - Orlando, FL at Plaza Live
August 24- Pensacola, FL- Vinyl Music Hall
August 27th- San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theater
May 13 New Hope, PA at Havana New Hope
May 14: Alexandria VA at Birchmere Music Hall
May16 Wilmington, DE at World Cafe Live At The Queen
May 17: Annapolis MD at Maryland Hall
May 19: Greensboro, NC at Cone Denim Entertainment
May 20: Atlanta, GA at Center Stage
May 22 Ponte Vedra Beach, FL at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
May 23: Ft. Lauderdale at Culture Room
May 24 : Ponte Vedra Beach, FL at Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
May 26: New Orleans at House of Blues
May 27: Dallas at Prophet Bar
May 28 : Houston, TX at House Of Blues
May 30 : Las Vegas , NV at Vinyl - Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hard Rock Hotel
May 31 Tucson AZ Fox Theater
Jun 2: Solana Beach CA at Belly Up
Jun 3: Los Angeles at The Roxy
June 4 : Los Angeles at The Roxy
June 5, Fri Los Angles, CA - Grove Barnes and Noble - In Store Appearance
Jun 6: San Juan Capistrano CA at Coach House
June 7th : Anaheim , CA at The House Of Blues
Jun 9: Napa at City Winery
June 10th : San Francisco at The Fillmore
Jun 12: Portland , OR at The Wonder Ballroom
June 13: Seattle, WA at The Crocodile
July 25th : Fuji Rock Festival - Japan
July 29th : Grass Valley , CA at The Center For The Arts
August 2nd - Denver , CO at The Bluebird
August 4 & 5 - Evanston, IL at SPACE
Aug. 9 - Ferndale, MI at The Magic Bag
August 11- Kent, OH at Kent Stage
Aug. 12. - Lorain, OH at Lorain Palace
Aug. 14 - Englewood, NJ- Bergen PAC
Aug. 15 - Tarrytown , NY - Music Hall
Aug. 20 - Richmond, VA at The National
August 23 - Orlando, FL at Plaza Live
August 24- Pensacola, FL- Vinyl Music Hall
August 27th- San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theater
RundgrenRadio Airs Tonight : Birthday Bash Announcement
|
| ||||
|
Monday, May 11, 2015
Sunday, May 10, 2015
New Feature.: due to a huge amount of negative unnecessary comments..........
You now need to be a registered user to make comments. No more hiding behind a "Anonymous" name
I am adding this feature not to censor comments, but to make this a friendlier place to enjoy and comment on topics. I will never censor but this has gotten out of hand.
I am adding this feature not to censor comments, but to make this a friendlier place to enjoy and comment on topics. I will never censor but this has gotten out of hand.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Runddans Release party on Rundgren Radio tuesday 6pm est
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/runt/2015/05/05/runddans-release-party-on-rundgren-radio
The release of the first ever Runddans album, a collaboration between Todd Rundgren and Hans-Peter Lindstrom and Emil Nikolaisen.
We will be playing clips from each song on the album and talking with special guests Hans-Peter Lindstrom and Emil Nikolaisen!
The release of the first ever Runddans album, a collaboration between Todd Rundgren and Hans-Peter Lindstrom and Emil Nikolaisen.
We will be playing clips from each song on the album and talking with special guests Hans-Peter Lindstrom and Emil Nikolaisen!
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
VIP ticket available to Highline Ballroom May 5th
I have 1 VIP ticket to See TODD RUNDGREN @ the NYC Highline Ball Room May 5th show. These are seats with wait service and Early admission. NOT General Admission seating. Please message me if interested ma4utopia@aol.com
30 yrs of Todd on Letterman
thanks Wil Raasch for bringing this to my attention
The best compilation that can be made with what is on youtube. This is in honor of TR's 16th and final appearance Monday April 27th 2015. Here are all 9 previous musical guest performances + 5 sit ins with the CBS orchestra (This is missing the most recent 2013 salesmen rainbow suit occasion). Wish more of the sit ins were made available to us. Love in Action and Soul Brother are a bit quite. If your going to watch one go with Want of a Nail @ 11:11 - Enjoy
Lysistrata
Love in Action
Want of a Nail
The Waiting Game
Change Myself
Yer Fast
Hello its Me
Soul Brother
Strike
The best compilation that can be made with what is on youtube. This is in honor of TR's 16th and final appearance Monday April 27th 2015. Here are all 9 previous musical guest performances + 5 sit ins with the CBS orchestra (This is missing the most recent 2013 salesmen rainbow suit occasion). Wish more of the sit ins were made available to us. Love in Action and Soul Brother are a bit quite. If your going to watch one go with Want of a Nail @ 11:11 - Enjoy
Lysistrata
Love in Action
Want of a Nail
The Waiting Game
Change Myself
Yer Fast
Hello its Me
Soul Brother
Strike
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)