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
The "almost" official blog for everything Todd Rundgren Related........................................................................................................................................................................... Please visit the sister facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ma4utopia?ref=hl
Saturday, June 6, 2009
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
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
new tour date
TR plays Tralf Music Hall in Buffalo, NY on Wed. July 1 at 8PM. Tickets are now on sale.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Todd playing 1 show in Oslo Norway june 13th 2009
Todd is going to Oslo on June 13th to play a festival, these are the details
Date: Saturday 13th June 2009
Event: Norwegian Wood
Venue: Frognerbadet
Location: Vigeland Park, Oslo, Norway
I bet summer in Norway is beautiful!
Date: Saturday 13th June 2009
Event: Norwegian Wood
Venue: Frognerbadet
Location: Vigeland Park, Oslo, Norway
I bet summer in Norway is beautiful!
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