Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 9:00pm - Monday, January 17, 2011 at 12:00am
Bitter End
147 Bleeker Street Greenwich Village, NYC
UTOPIA REUNION
featuring Kevin Ellman, Ralph Schuckett, John Siegler and Moogy Klingman
It's going to be a big night with Peter Yarrow (of Peter, Paul and Mary) and David Amram doing sets as well as a reunion of the King Bees with Danny "Kooch" Kotchmar and Dickie Frank.
The show starts at 9 pm and Utopia will be going on at 11 pm sharp.
We will be performing The Utopia Theme, Freak Parade, Conquering of the West and other Utopia 70’s progressive rock hits.
The "almost" official blog for everything Todd Rundgren Related........................................................................................................................................................................... Please visit the sister facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ma4utopia?ref=hl
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
Crawdaddy review of Paul Myers Book A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio
http://www.crawdaddy.com/index.php/2010/12/03/book-review-a-wizard-a-true-star-todd-rundgren-in-the-studio/
Book Review: A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio
Ric Hickey
A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio
By Paul Myers
(Jaw Bone Press, 2010)
Paul Myers has penned the definitive Todd Rundgren biography. Dispensing with the typically invasive biographical method of delving into a subject’s personal life, Myers here instead sticks to the real meat of the matter: The artist’s work. Dedicated solely to Rundgren’s music and production, the book is a much more intriguing and respectful biography than one could ever pen in the more traditional vein. Forgoing the need to supplant the text with salacious anecdotes and insidious speculation, Myers’ respectful approach is best exemplified by his decision to dedicate no more than a single paragraph to Rundgren’s tumultuous break-up with Bebe Buell.
Though Rundgren’s tongue had already taken up permanent residence in his cheek by the time he named his 1973 magnum opus A Wizard, A True Star, time has proven this moniker to be apt, accurate, and certainly suitable for this book’s title as well. A willing participant in the interview process for this manuscript, Rundgren’s every contribution is insightful, revealing, acerbic, and often funny as hell. From the first few pages his quotes are brutally honest, including very frank discussions about his experimentation with drugs.
Young Rundgren’s high school band experience morphed into the psychedelic garage act Nazz and subsequent recording contract as a solo artist. First establishing himself as a hit-maker as early as 1972, he was soon tapped to produce other artists as well. With “Hello It’s Me” topping the charts, he was busily constructing his first studio in a friend’s loft apartment on 13th street in New York City. Making it up and learning the ropes as he went along, Rundgren mastered the rules of performance and production as he simultaneously went about breaking them to suit the needs of his impeccable ear. In retrospect, it’s amazing how the first fruits of his improvised construction of a recording studio from the ground up resulted in the psychedelic masterpiece A Wizard, A True Star. This was just one of what would be a string of wildly diverse and endlessly inventive self-produced solo LPs.
In the early ‘70s, Rundgren settled comfortably into the producer’s chair and helped birth two hard-rock classics of the era: The New York Dolls’ self-titled debut album and what would turn out to be Grand Funk’s biggest selling LP, We’re An American Band. Rundgren’s production resume reads like a who’s who from almost every imaginable subgenre of rock music, from prog to punk. The list of enthusiastic contributors to this book includes Patti Smith, David Sanborn, Hall & Oates, Steve Hillage, Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf, Flo & Eddie, as well as members of the Psychedelic Furs, Badfinger, the Tubes, Cheap Trick, the New York Dolls, XTC, and Utopia.
Though the band members seemed to grasp that Utopia was not a top priority to Rundgren or his label, he did keep them busy as hired hands whenever possible. Sidemen on countless projects, Kasim Sulton and Prairie Prince were employed numerous times, including the sessions for the first LP by ‘70s teen pop idol Shaun Cassidy.
No one in the music business was busier or in higher demand in the 1970s than Todd Rundgren. He produced a staggering number of hit records around this time, including Meat Loaf’s seminal Bat Out Of Hell LP. Though the torrid and complicated back history of that legendary album is well known by now, it is curious to contemplate how the backing band assembled for those sessions was one half Utopia and one half Springsteen’s E Street Band.
In the ‘80s, Rundgren’s already busy production schedule kicked into high gear with a steady stream of artists passing through his studio. At this time, he kept himself busier than ever in order to keep his ill-fated video production studio afloat. In addition to his reputation as an audio production genius, he was an early proponent of video and computer technology. He often found himself way ahead of the curve with these emerging technologies, and many of his experiments failed to generate much notice or sales. The advent of the personal computer marked a major turning point for Rundgren and opened him up to a world of possibilities. He continues to explore new technologies today.
Over the course of literally hundreds of sessions with dozens of artists displaying varying temperaments, there were bound to be clashes in the studio between hardheaded artists and their sarcastic, self-assured, and sometimes condescending producer. In the long run and in spite of their strong differences at the time, many found that Rundgren was almost always right in his convictions. In addition to his role as producer, he is also a multi-instrumentalist who contributed mightily to hundreds of these recordings.
Seemingly, every artist that has worked with him over the years has nothing but good things to say about him. Many credit Rundgren with making them better musicians and songwriters. Others say he broadened their horizons, and in numerous cases his efforts propelled them to greater fame. Today he looms like a mischievous guardian angel over the careers of countless recording artists, and this tome about his life and works pays a great and important homage to his legacy.
Purchase: A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio [at amazon.com]
Book Review: A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio
Ric Hickey
A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio
By Paul Myers
(Jaw Bone Press, 2010)
Paul Myers has penned the definitive Todd Rundgren biography. Dispensing with the typically invasive biographical method of delving into a subject’s personal life, Myers here instead sticks to the real meat of the matter: The artist’s work. Dedicated solely to Rundgren’s music and production, the book is a much more intriguing and respectful biography than one could ever pen in the more traditional vein. Forgoing the need to supplant the text with salacious anecdotes and insidious speculation, Myers’ respectful approach is best exemplified by his decision to dedicate no more than a single paragraph to Rundgren’s tumultuous break-up with Bebe Buell.
Though Rundgren’s tongue had already taken up permanent residence in his cheek by the time he named his 1973 magnum opus A Wizard, A True Star, time has proven this moniker to be apt, accurate, and certainly suitable for this book’s title as well. A willing participant in the interview process for this manuscript, Rundgren’s every contribution is insightful, revealing, acerbic, and often funny as hell. From the first few pages his quotes are brutally honest, including very frank discussions about his experimentation with drugs.
Young Rundgren’s high school band experience morphed into the psychedelic garage act Nazz and subsequent recording contract as a solo artist. First establishing himself as a hit-maker as early as 1972, he was soon tapped to produce other artists as well. With “Hello It’s Me” topping the charts, he was busily constructing his first studio in a friend’s loft apartment on 13th street in New York City. Making it up and learning the ropes as he went along, Rundgren mastered the rules of performance and production as he simultaneously went about breaking them to suit the needs of his impeccable ear. In retrospect, it’s amazing how the first fruits of his improvised construction of a recording studio from the ground up resulted in the psychedelic masterpiece A Wizard, A True Star. This was just one of what would be a string of wildly diverse and endlessly inventive self-produced solo LPs.
In the early ‘70s, Rundgren settled comfortably into the producer’s chair and helped birth two hard-rock classics of the era: The New York Dolls’ self-titled debut album and what would turn out to be Grand Funk’s biggest selling LP, We’re An American Band. Rundgren’s production resume reads like a who’s who from almost every imaginable subgenre of rock music, from prog to punk. The list of enthusiastic contributors to this book includes Patti Smith, David Sanborn, Hall & Oates, Steve Hillage, Jim Steinman, Meat Loaf, Flo & Eddie, as well as members of the Psychedelic Furs, Badfinger, the Tubes, Cheap Trick, the New York Dolls, XTC, and Utopia.
Though the band members seemed to grasp that Utopia was not a top priority to Rundgren or his label, he did keep them busy as hired hands whenever possible. Sidemen on countless projects, Kasim Sulton and Prairie Prince were employed numerous times, including the sessions for the first LP by ‘70s teen pop idol Shaun Cassidy.
No one in the music business was busier or in higher demand in the 1970s than Todd Rundgren. He produced a staggering number of hit records around this time, including Meat Loaf’s seminal Bat Out Of Hell LP. Though the torrid and complicated back history of that legendary album is well known by now, it is curious to contemplate how the backing band assembled for those sessions was one half Utopia and one half Springsteen’s E Street Band.
In the ‘80s, Rundgren’s already busy production schedule kicked into high gear with a steady stream of artists passing through his studio. At this time, he kept himself busier than ever in order to keep his ill-fated video production studio afloat. In addition to his reputation as an audio production genius, he was an early proponent of video and computer technology. He often found himself way ahead of the curve with these emerging technologies, and many of his experiments failed to generate much notice or sales. The advent of the personal computer marked a major turning point for Rundgren and opened him up to a world of possibilities. He continues to explore new technologies today.
Over the course of literally hundreds of sessions with dozens of artists displaying varying temperaments, there were bound to be clashes in the studio between hardheaded artists and their sarcastic, self-assured, and sometimes condescending producer. In the long run and in spite of their strong differences at the time, many found that Rundgren was almost always right in his convictions. In addition to his role as producer, he is also a multi-instrumentalist who contributed mightily to hundreds of these recordings.
Seemingly, every artist that has worked with him over the years has nothing but good things to say about him. Many credit Rundgren with making them better musicians and songwriters. Others say he broadened their horizons, and in numerous cases his efforts propelled them to greater fame. Today he looms like a mischievous guardian angel over the careers of countless recording artists, and this tome about his life and works pays a great and important homage to his legacy.
Purchase: A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio [at amazon.com]
Thursday, December 2, 2010
TODD's next album song details
http://www.sacbee.com/2010/12/01/3224112/todd-rundgren-and-fans-get-in.html#storylink=fblike
Todd Rundgren and Fans Get in Studio for myRecordFantasy
Fans to Audition and Perform on New Album During January Event
Share
By Gigatone Entertainment
Published: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 - 5:06 am
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 1, 2010 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Gigatone Entertainment, a next-generation entertainment company has announced details of its latest album and myRecordFantasy project with Rock superstar Todd Rundgren. Rundgren, whose innovation as a producer and recording artist has spawned one of pop music's most devout followings, will return to the studio January 17-19, 2011 for Gigatone's myRecordFantasy event for his album project, "(re)Production."
myRecordFantasy, held at Gigatone's headquarters at the Track Shack Studios in Sacramento, will feature Rundgren's fans from around the world vying for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of auditioning to perform on the Rundgren's new album. In addition, fans will be attending and participating in nightly jam sessions with Rundgren and special guests. myRecordFantasy with Todd Rundgren is the third such event in the myRecordFantasy series, the previous two featuring Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz and Starship frontman Mickey Thomas.
Rundgren's production techniques have exacted watershed efforts from artists such as Meat Loaf ("Bat Out of Hell"), Badfinger ("Straight Up"), XTC ("Skylarking"), The Psychedelic Furs ("Forever Now"), and Grand Funk Railroad ("We're An American Band").
(re)Production features Rundgren performing selections he's produced for others. It includes such hits as the Psychedelic Furs' "Love My Way," Meat Loaf's "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad," Grand Funk Railroad's "Walk Like A Man," XTC's "Dear God," Cheap Trick's "I Can't Take It," as well as songs by The Tubes, Hall and Oates, The New York Dolls, Rick Derringer, Patti Smith, Badfinger and Bourgeois Tagg, among others.
Todd broke onto the music scene in the late 60s fronting Nazz, with the psychedelic power pop hit "Open My Eyes". Upon the release of Rundgren's third solo album, the 1972 masterwork Something/Anything? and its melodic hit singles "I Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me", the rock press promptly dubbed him "Rock's Wunderkind Renaissance Man", and forever solidified his status as a gifted pop craftsman. His follow-up, A Wizard, A True Star, was a sonic kaleidoscope of progressive rock, serving notice that Rundgren was not going to walk a straight pop line. The universally acknowledged godfather of the marriage of music and multimedia, his production, recording, touring, technological trailblazing throughout his solo career has taken him through a broad swath of creative stylings.
As with previous myRecordFantasy events, the entire event is filmed in high definition, with episodes airing on Gigatone's Channel Page on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/gigatonerecords.
Gigatone Entertainment is a next generation entertainment company based in Sacramento and Hollywood founded by Music and digital entertainment pundit and Grammy Governor Mitchell Koulouris. Guest artists appearing with Rundgren at myRecordFantasy will be announced by Gigatone in the weeks preceding the event.
More Information Pricing and Details:
www.gigatone.net
www.myRecordFantasy.com
Press Contact:
Mike Martis/Gigatone Entertainment
Phone: 916 281-4275
eMail: mike@gigatone.net
SOURCE Gigatone Entertainment
Todd Rundgren and Fans Get in Studio for myRecordFantasy
Fans to Audition and Perform on New Album During January Event
Share
By Gigatone Entertainment
Published: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010 - 5:06 am
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Dec. 1, 2010 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Gigatone Entertainment, a next-generation entertainment company has announced details of its latest album and myRecordFantasy project with Rock superstar Todd Rundgren. Rundgren, whose innovation as a producer and recording artist has spawned one of pop music's most devout followings, will return to the studio January 17-19, 2011 for Gigatone's myRecordFantasy event for his album project, "(re)Production."
myRecordFantasy, held at Gigatone's headquarters at the Track Shack Studios in Sacramento, will feature Rundgren's fans from around the world vying for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of auditioning to perform on the Rundgren's new album. In addition, fans will be attending and participating in nightly jam sessions with Rundgren and special guests. myRecordFantasy with Todd Rundgren is the third such event in the myRecordFantasy series, the previous two featuring Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz and Starship frontman Mickey Thomas.
Rundgren's production techniques have exacted watershed efforts from artists such as Meat Loaf ("Bat Out of Hell"), Badfinger ("Straight Up"), XTC ("Skylarking"), The Psychedelic Furs ("Forever Now"), and Grand Funk Railroad ("We're An American Band").
(re)Production features Rundgren performing selections he's produced for others. It includes such hits as the Psychedelic Furs' "Love My Way," Meat Loaf's "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad," Grand Funk Railroad's "Walk Like A Man," XTC's "Dear God," Cheap Trick's "I Can't Take It," as well as songs by The Tubes, Hall and Oates, The New York Dolls, Rick Derringer, Patti Smith, Badfinger and Bourgeois Tagg, among others.
Todd broke onto the music scene in the late 60s fronting Nazz, with the psychedelic power pop hit "Open My Eyes". Upon the release of Rundgren's third solo album, the 1972 masterwork Something/Anything? and its melodic hit singles "I Saw the Light" and "Hello It's Me", the rock press promptly dubbed him "Rock's Wunderkind Renaissance Man", and forever solidified his status as a gifted pop craftsman. His follow-up, A Wizard, A True Star, was a sonic kaleidoscope of progressive rock, serving notice that Rundgren was not going to walk a straight pop line. The universally acknowledged godfather of the marriage of music and multimedia, his production, recording, touring, technological trailblazing throughout his solo career has taken him through a broad swath of creative stylings.
As with previous myRecordFantasy events, the entire event is filmed in high definition, with episodes airing on Gigatone's Channel Page on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/gigatonerecords.
Gigatone Entertainment is a next generation entertainment company based in Sacramento and Hollywood founded by Music and digital entertainment pundit and Grammy Governor Mitchell Koulouris. Guest artists appearing with Rundgren at myRecordFantasy will be announced by Gigatone in the weeks preceding the event.
More Information Pricing and Details:
www.gigatone.net
www.myRecordFantasy.com
Press Contact:
Mike Martis/Gigatone Entertainment
Phone: 916 281-4275
eMail: mike@gigatone.net
SOURCE Gigatone Entertainment
professor todd
http://blogs.music.indiana.edu/recording-arts/2010/11/28/professor-rundgren/
Professor Rundgren
11.28.2010 | Konrad Strauss
Todd Rundgren was in residence at IU for two weeks as a professor for the Wells Scholars program. In addition to teaching a seminar for Wells and Hutton scholars, he gave a masterclass and Q & A session for Recording Arts students, and performed a recital in Auer Hall entitled Cluster: The Birth of the T-Chord.
Rundgren advised students not to be afraid of technology, ‘just dive in and try to break it! That’s how you learn to use it to it’s full potential’ But he cautioned that technology is not a end unto itself, it has to serve the music. So if the song isn’t working, rearrange it or rewrite it. Don’t try to fix it ‘Tools. Rundgren also spoke about how to build a career. He pointed out that the traditional opportunities, such as working your way up through the studio system are no longer available, instead he advised students to become entrepreneurs and ‘create your own reality’.
Rundgren is optimistic about the future of the music industry. He described how in the early 90s he approached several major labels about creating an online subscription music service, and was turned down. The very next year Napster went online and the decline of the music industry establishment began. Now, he said, the internet allows artists to reach their fans directly without the label being in the way, and this will lead to a renaissance of new music.
Professor Rundgren
11.28.2010 | Konrad Strauss
Todd Rundgren was in residence at IU for two weeks as a professor for the Wells Scholars program. In addition to teaching a seminar for Wells and Hutton scholars, he gave a masterclass and Q & A session for Recording Arts students, and performed a recital in Auer Hall entitled Cluster: The Birth of the T-Chord.
Rundgren advised students not to be afraid of technology, ‘just dive in and try to break it! That’s how you learn to use it to it’s full potential’ But he cautioned that technology is not a end unto itself, it has to serve the music. So if the song isn’t working, rearrange it or rewrite it. Don’t try to fix it ‘Tools. Rundgren also spoke about how to build a career. He pointed out that the traditional opportunities, such as working your way up through the studio system are no longer available, instead he advised students to become entrepreneurs and ‘create your own reality’.
Rundgren is optimistic about the future of the music industry. He described how in the early 90s he approached several major labels about creating an online subscription music service, and was turned down. The very next year Napster went online and the decline of the music industry establishment began. Now, he said, the internet allows artists to reach their fans directly without the label being in the way, and this will lead to a renaissance of new music.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Sunday, November 28, 2010
cyber monday sale for some todd "stuff"
go to this site for some great deals on todd merch..
http://trbazaar.com/cybermondayspecials.htm
http://trbazaar.com/cybermondayspecials.htm
Friday, November 26, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
rare poster
click on image to see full size..
im a poster collector and i came across this one recently. its a pretty rare one.!!
im a poster collector and i came across this one recently. its a pretty rare one.!!
Cool Moogy Klingman show
Moogy Klingman Benefit Concert 1/16/11 at New Yawk's famous Bitter End venue! Band will include some great musicians including some of Utopia Mark II -- Ralph Schuckett, Kevin Ellman, & John Siegler!
Rundgren Radio announced last night something "BIG"
Doug and Mel hinted that something "BIG" Might happen in the month of May . Keep your eyes and ears open for an announcement.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Rundgrenradio tonight moogy klingman
Moogy returns to RR and once again he's sending us some rare music to play!
Mark "Moogy" Klingman (born 7 September 1950, in New York City, New York, USA), was a founding member of Todd Rundgren's musical team Utopia and later became a solo recording artist and songwriter.
Klingman has released several solo albums containing songs that went on to be recorded by people like Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler,... Todd Rundgren and others. He wrote the song "Dust in the Wind" (not to be confused with the hit song of the same name by Kansas), which Todd Rundgren recorded on his Something/Anything? album and Guns N' Roses have occasionally performed live in concert. Klingman collaborated with William "Buzzy" Linhart on the authorship and composition of the selection (You Got To Have) Friends, which soon became Bette Midler's de facto theme song.
Klingman has played, recorded and/or had his songs covered by many rock legends, including Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Luther Vandross, Bob Dylan, Bo Diddley, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Allan Woody and Warren Haynes from the Allman Brothers & Gov't Mule. Klingman has also worked with great female rockers like Carly Simon, Cindy Lauper, Shawn Colvin, Irene Cara, and Thelma Houston.
Klingman also played in the "Moogy/Woody Band" with Allman Brothers alumni Allan Woody, and Warren Haynes.
Youtube of Moogy playing piano and Todd singing "Never Never Land" during the 1978 Back To The Bars tour ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDJ9xYZmbU
Mark "Moogy" Klingman (born 7 September 1950, in New York City, New York, USA), was a founding member of Todd Rundgren's musical team Utopia and later became a solo recording artist and songwriter.
Klingman has released several solo albums containing songs that went on to be recorded by people like Johnny Winter, Eric Clapton, Barry Manilow, Bette Midler,... Todd Rundgren and others. He wrote the song "Dust in the Wind" (not to be confused with the hit song of the same name by Kansas), which Todd Rundgren recorded on his Something/Anything? album and Guns N' Roses have occasionally performed live in concert. Klingman collaborated with William "Buzzy" Linhart on the authorship and composition of the selection (You Got To Have) Friends, which soon became Bette Midler's de facto theme song.
Klingman has played, recorded and/or had his songs covered by many rock legends, including Jimi Hendrix, Chuck Berry, Luther Vandross, Bob Dylan, Bo Diddley, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Allan Woody and Warren Haynes from the Allman Brothers & Gov't Mule. Klingman has also worked with great female rockers like Carly Simon, Cindy Lauper, Shawn Colvin, Irene Cara, and Thelma Houston.
Klingman also played in the "Moogy/Woody Band" with Allman Brothers alumni Allan Woody, and Warren Haynes.
Youtube of Moogy playing piano and Todd singing "Never Never Land" during the 1978 Back To The Bars tour ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzDJ9xYZmbU
Monday, November 22, 2010
Rundgren’s stint as Wells professor a boffo performance
HeraldTimesOnline.com
Rundgren’s stint as Wells professor a boffo performance
By Mike Leonard 331-4368 | mleonard@heraldt.com
November 21, 2010
Three images from rock star Todd Rundgren’s stint as a Wells Professor at Indiana University last month remain etched in my mind.
One is Rundgren conducting the Marching Hundred at the IU-Northwestern football game in a far-too-brief rendition of “Bang the Drum All Day,” a crowd favorite at arenas across the country. The good-humored Rundgren donned a drum major style of hat, and had just started to go manic, when play on the football field resumed and the song had to be cut short.
The second is a beautiful sight, really — Rundgren at center stage at magnificent Auer Hall, his arms taut and his palms open, as he put his whole body into singing the beautiful “Pretending to Care” while Christopher Young accompanied him on the spectacular “Maidee” organ.
The third image still makes me laugh. It was during a last-night-in-town jam session at the Stone Age Institute northwest of Bloomington. I’ll explain it in the words of local musician Tim O’Malley: “I never thought I’d see the day I’d be jamming out on ‘Statesboro Blues’ with Todd Rundgren using a petrified whale penis bone as a slide on my guitar neck.”
Yes, really.
The jam session that night included a variety of players ranging from guitarists O’Malley, Dave Baas, Dave England, Rundgren and the institute’s co-founder Nick Toth, to rock and roll music professors Glenn Gass and Andy Hollinden, to the aforementioned Young, who proved he can play any organ with great facility. And, no, I didn’t intend to put “whale penis bone” and “organ” in successive paragraphs — it just happened.
Singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer also performed earlier in the evening, but she didn’t have anything to do with the more raucous activity described here.
Don’t get the wrong idea. Rundgren’s visit wasn’t all fun and games, and he performed admirably as a Wells professor, according to physics professor and director of the Wells Scholars Program, Tim Londergan.
“We were really very, very pleased with Todd, and it was really great,” Londergan said. “Glenn had told me that he was unusually articulate and thoughtful about his career and his experience in the music business, and he proved to be very much so.
“Here’s a guy who took off at age 18, left home as soon as he graduated from high school, and went on to have an amazing career. He’s a very smart guy,” Londergan said.
Gass nominated Rundgren to be a Wells professor after taking a sabbatical for a year in Hawaii and getting to know the musician and producer as a neighbor. Every year, Londergan gets hundreds of nominations, the list gets pared down to 50 and a committee selects the winner.
“He’s not the only one who has not had an academic pedigree,” Londergan said. “We try very hard to make sure whoever we select gives our students a legitimate educational experience.”
Rundgren had a handful of pop hits as a performer and broke new ground through the marriage of music and technology, most notably in his band Utopia. He was clearly THE top musical producer in the 1970s, putting his stamp on music from artists including The Band, the New York Dolls, Patti Smith, Meat Loaf, Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick and Badfinger.
In his recital at Auer Hall, he probably surprised a few people when he talked about his musical and theater influences growing up: Gilbert and Sullivan, Stephen Sondheim, Bertolt Brecht and his favorite composer, Maurice Ravel.
Londergan laughed when he recalled that many of the Wells scholars had never heard of Rundgren, and after being advised to “Ask your parents,” they rushed in to say their parents said, “Take the class!”
“Glenn (Gass) will tell anyone who will listen that this is a guy who for various reasons hasn’t gotten the credit and the sort of lasting reputation he deserves,” Londergan said. “The student response was very, very positive. They all said they learned a lot about a lot — things they didn’t know they’d find fascinating, like when they all went out to Echo Park Studios and Todd showed them what you can do in a recording studio.”
I had the opportunity to talk with Rundgren on a couple of occasions, including that final night at the Stone Age Institute, and he told he that he had a ball in Bloomington. He said he’d never spent so much time on a college campus and certainly never felt a part of the college scene. Until now. And he said probably nothing was more impressive than interacting with the Wells scholars. “They’re just so damn smart and articulate!” I remember him saying.
They had similar things to say about the 62-year-old music impresario, whose vitae now includes Wells professor, Indiana University.
Todd Rundgren performs Oct. 31 in Auer Hall on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. Mike Leonard | Herald-Times
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2010
Rundgren’s stint as Wells professor a boffo performance
By Mike Leonard 331-4368 | mleonard@heraldt.com
November 21, 2010
Three images from rock star Todd Rundgren’s stint as a Wells Professor at Indiana University last month remain etched in my mind.
One is Rundgren conducting the Marching Hundred at the IU-Northwestern football game in a far-too-brief rendition of “Bang the Drum All Day,” a crowd favorite at arenas across the country. The good-humored Rundgren donned a drum major style of hat, and had just started to go manic, when play on the football field resumed and the song had to be cut short.
The second is a beautiful sight, really — Rundgren at center stage at magnificent Auer Hall, his arms taut and his palms open, as he put his whole body into singing the beautiful “Pretending to Care” while Christopher Young accompanied him on the spectacular “Maidee” organ.
The third image still makes me laugh. It was during a last-night-in-town jam session at the Stone Age Institute northwest of Bloomington. I’ll explain it in the words of local musician Tim O’Malley: “I never thought I’d see the day I’d be jamming out on ‘Statesboro Blues’ with Todd Rundgren using a petrified whale penis bone as a slide on my guitar neck.”
Yes, really.
The jam session that night included a variety of players ranging from guitarists O’Malley, Dave Baas, Dave England, Rundgren and the institute’s co-founder Nick Toth, to rock and roll music professors Glenn Gass and Andy Hollinden, to the aforementioned Young, who proved he can play any organ with great facility. And, no, I didn’t intend to put “whale penis bone” and “organ” in successive paragraphs — it just happened.
Singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer also performed earlier in the evening, but she didn’t have anything to do with the more raucous activity described here.
Don’t get the wrong idea. Rundgren’s visit wasn’t all fun and games, and he performed admirably as a Wells professor, according to physics professor and director of the Wells Scholars Program, Tim Londergan.
“We were really very, very pleased with Todd, and it was really great,” Londergan said. “Glenn had told me that he was unusually articulate and thoughtful about his career and his experience in the music business, and he proved to be very much so.
“Here’s a guy who took off at age 18, left home as soon as he graduated from high school, and went on to have an amazing career. He’s a very smart guy,” Londergan said.
Gass nominated Rundgren to be a Wells professor after taking a sabbatical for a year in Hawaii and getting to know the musician and producer as a neighbor. Every year, Londergan gets hundreds of nominations, the list gets pared down to 50 and a committee selects the winner.
“He’s not the only one who has not had an academic pedigree,” Londergan said. “We try very hard to make sure whoever we select gives our students a legitimate educational experience.”
Rundgren had a handful of pop hits as a performer and broke new ground through the marriage of music and technology, most notably in his band Utopia. He was clearly THE top musical producer in the 1970s, putting his stamp on music from artists including The Band, the New York Dolls, Patti Smith, Meat Loaf, Hall & Oates, Cheap Trick and Badfinger.
In his recital at Auer Hall, he probably surprised a few people when he talked about his musical and theater influences growing up: Gilbert and Sullivan, Stephen Sondheim, Bertolt Brecht and his favorite composer, Maurice Ravel.
Londergan laughed when he recalled that many of the Wells scholars had never heard of Rundgren, and after being advised to “Ask your parents,” they rushed in to say their parents said, “Take the class!”
“Glenn (Gass) will tell anyone who will listen that this is a guy who for various reasons hasn’t gotten the credit and the sort of lasting reputation he deserves,” Londergan said. “The student response was very, very positive. They all said they learned a lot about a lot — things they didn’t know they’d find fascinating, like when they all went out to Echo Park Studios and Todd showed them what you can do in a recording studio.”
I had the opportunity to talk with Rundgren on a couple of occasions, including that final night at the Stone Age Institute, and he told he that he had a ball in Bloomington. He said he’d never spent so much time on a college campus and certainly never felt a part of the college scene. Until now. And he said probably nothing was more impressive than interacting with the Wells scholars. “They’re just so damn smart and articulate!” I remember him saying.
They had similar things to say about the 62-year-old music impresario, whose vitae now includes Wells professor, Indiana University.
Todd Rundgren performs Oct. 31 in Auer Hall on the Indiana University campus in Bloomington. Mike Leonard | Herald-Times
Copyright: HeraldTimesOnline.com 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
les paul trio guitarist to unveil new guitar at TR show
Lou Pallo, the long time friend of Les Paul and leader of the infamous Les Paul trio, will perform with legendary musician Todd Rundgren on Monday, December 6, 2010 at New York’s Iridium Jazz Club at 8pm ET to unveil his first Gibson Lou Pallo Signature Les Paul model guitar. In a fitting tribute to Les Paul, who passed away in August of 2009, Pallo will perform on the very stage in which they played together for numerous years at the club. Rundgren will join Pallo for the special tribute performance and help unveil the very special new model from Gibson USA.
Singer, songwriter and producer, Todd Rundgren remains one of the music industry’s most recognized and respected musicians having produced a diverse range of music throughout his career including when he was with the band Utopia in the seventies and eighties. His best known songs include “Hello It’s Me” and “I Saw the Light.” Rundgren has remained very active as a producer and engineer on the recorded work of other musicians and continues to tour and record. One of his other hits, “Bang the Drum All Day,” continues to be featured in many sports arenas, commercials and movie trailers amongst other musical arrangements.
The new Gibson USA Lou Pallo Signature Les Paul guitar model features mahogany body with a cream bound maple top in black ebony finish. The neck is mahogany and the fingerboard is Rosewood with the signature inlay 12th fret/block inlays. The hardware is chrome with Tone Pro Kluson tuners and P-90 black cover electronics and Dirty Finger bridge pickups. The Gibson Lou Pallo Signature Les Paul guitar comes in a hard shell case and will be available December 3, 2010 worldwide. The MSRP is $4,699. www.gibson.com
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Friday, November 19, 2010
Rare Song: from the movie Dumb and Dumber 2 versions
Due to the fact that many folks do appreciate the "lost" part(s) of the "Dumb And Dumber" - Soundtrack, but aren't able to find it anywhere (because it isn't availabe anywhere ;-)), here it is. As you can hear, there are 2 versions of the track, slightly different.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
one of the few different RA programs
http://picasaweb.google.com/104249287848401644022/RAProgram#
click on my link above to view the program in full
RundgrenRadio tonight Choir members from last tour
Rundgren Radio airs tonight at 8:30pm ET!
CHOIR NIGHT! We'll have some choir members from the Todd/Healing tour checking in with us to give us their takes on the experience. Shine, shine, shine, shine, shine!
CHOIR NIGHT! We'll have some choir members from the Todd/Healing tour checking in with us to give us their takes on the experience. Shine, shine, shine, shine, shine!
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