The "almost" official blog for everything Todd Rundgren Related........................................................................................................................................................................... Please visit the sister facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Ma4utopia?ref=hl
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
CD: ANT-BEE CD Feat. Moogy.. By BIlly James author of two Todd books
Music Pioneer ANT-BEE Releases New CD Featuring Rock and Prog Legends – Former Yes, Focus, Gong, Zappa, Capt. Beefheart, Utopia, Alice Cooper Members
Featuring guest appearances by Jan Akkerman (Focus), Peter Banks (Yes/Flash), Daevid Allen & Gilli Smyth (Gong), Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper), Napoleon Murphy Brock (Zappa), Zoot Horn Rollo & Rockette Morton (Capt. Beefheart's Magic Band), Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner, Motorhead and Jimmy Carl Black (Mothers of Invention), Moogy Klingman (Todd Rundgren's Utopia)
Release date February 28, 2011
3/3/2011 - Asheville, NC - After a 12 year gap between albums, and fans holding their breaths, avant-garde music pioneer ANT-BEE, best known for recording ex-members of the Mothers of Invention and Alice Cooper Group together on the critically acclaimed 1998 release 'Lunar Muzik', has finally released what could be considered the artist's masterpiece. Possibly the most unique and innovative album to be recorded in decades, ANT-BEE 'Electronic Church Muzik' is an exploration into the spirituality of man (and woman) in a steam-of-consciousness psychedelic trip. Featuring legends of progressive rock and classic rock, ANT-BEE's new opus boasts guest appearances by by Jan Akkerman (Focus), Peter Banks (Yes/Flash), Daevid Allen & Gilli Smyth (Gong), Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper), Napoleon Murphy Brock (Zappa), Zoot Horn Rollo & Rockette Morton (Capt. Beefheart's Magic Band), Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner, Motorhead and Jimmy Carl Black (Mothers of Invention), Moogy Klingman (Todd Rundgren's Utopia).
Ant-Bee is the brainchild of one Billy James. Formed through a series of musical experimentations in the recording studio back in 1987 in Los Angeles. In 1988, Ant-Bee were signed to Los Angeles record company Voxx/Bomp Records. The first Ant-Bee album was 'Pure Electric Honey', and received rave reviews worldwide. Ant-Bee became an overnight legend in the European underground. The album also featured guest performances by Bob Harris (Frank Zappa) and Rick Snyder ( Captain Beefheart ). In 1990 the live Ant-Bee ensemble was assembled and gigged throughout Los Angeles to the astonishment of most audiences. Also at this time, while recording new material, the first Ant-Bee video was filmed "Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree" which viewed in L.A and Canada. During this period a cover version of the unreleased Beach Boys song "Do You Like Worms?" was recorded. Oddly through a bizarre turn of events this Ant-Bee version of the song was mistakenly played on a Beach Boys radio show as a rare Beach Boys demo!! It eventually surfaced on several elaborate European bootlegs as an unreleased Beach Boys studio outtake from 1966!!!! In 2004, ANT-BEE was mentioned in Brian Wilson's 'Smile' tour program, proclaiming the artist was the first to cover the 'Worms' track in question.
In 1992 the second Ant-Bee video was filmed "The Girl With The Stars In Her Hair", a much more elaborate production. It was broadcasted worldwide to much critical acclaim. At this point Ant-Bee left Voxx records. An EP of new music was released in Germany and several magazines and European labels released rare Ant-Bee tracks. Also during this period Billy James/Ant-Bee began a long (and current) relationship with the original ex-Mothers Of Invention (Frank Zappa's first group). Thus began a series of recordings, filmings and gigs with these legendary artists (Bunk Gardner, Don Preston, Jimmy Carl Black, Motorhead and Roy Estrada). The Ant-Bee was the first in over 25 years to record most of the original Mothers (sans Frank Zappa) together on CD!!! From this unique collaboration came the second Ant-Bee album 'With My Favorite Vegetables & Other Bizarre Muzik' (released Divine Records UK 1994). It also sold very well and received massive press and airplay worldwide!! For obvious reasons it especially appealed to Frank Zappa fans.
In 1994 Billy James relocated to the east coast to record the third Ant-Bee album 'Lunar Muzik'. Now in an elaborate 24 track facility, the third album soon become a true Ant-Bee masterpiece. Again the original Mothers make guest appearances along with the legendary Daevid Allen of Gong/Soft Machine, Harvey Bainbridge of Hawkwind and the original members of the Alice Cooper Group (namely Michael Bruce, Neal Smith) making 'Lunar Muzik' the most ambitious and pioneering project of the '90s!!! Also to promote the release of this album was the filming of the psychedelic video 'Child Of The Moon'. After a tour of the east coast with Michael Bruce, the Ant-Bee began work recording the fourth album 'Electronic Church Muzik' which promised to be an even bigger extravaganza then the previous album. Possibly the most adventurous album of the decade, after 12 years the new ANT-BEE album 'Electronic Church Muzik' is now available!
ANT-BEE 'Electronic Church Muzik' is available from www.BarkingMoondog.com and soon available through CDBaby and iTunes.
For more information: www.ANT-BEE.com
Watch "Child of the Moon" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji1A-9Lw7mA
Watch "The Girl With The Stars In Her Hair" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INWtzDAA19o
Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com
Featuring guest appearances by Jan Akkerman (Focus), Peter Banks (Yes/Flash), Daevid Allen & Gilli Smyth (Gong), Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper), Napoleon Murphy Brock (Zappa), Zoot Horn Rollo & Rockette Morton (Capt. Beefheart's Magic Band), Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner, Motorhead and Jimmy Carl Black (Mothers of Invention), Moogy Klingman (Todd Rundgren's Utopia)
Release date February 28, 2011
3/3/2011 - Asheville, NC - After a 12 year gap between albums, and fans holding their breaths, avant-garde music pioneer ANT-BEE, best known for recording ex-members of the Mothers of Invention and Alice Cooper Group together on the critically acclaimed 1998 release 'Lunar Muzik', has finally released what could be considered the artist's masterpiece. Possibly the most unique and innovative album to be recorded in decades, ANT-BEE 'Electronic Church Muzik' is an exploration into the spirituality of man (and woman) in a steam-of-consciousness psychedelic trip. Featuring legends of progressive rock and classic rock, ANT-BEE's new opus boasts guest appearances by by Jan Akkerman (Focus), Peter Banks (Yes/Flash), Daevid Allen & Gilli Smyth (Gong), Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper), Napoleon Murphy Brock (Zappa), Zoot Horn Rollo & Rockette Morton (Capt. Beefheart's Magic Band), Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Buzz Gardner, Motorhead and Jimmy Carl Black (Mothers of Invention), Moogy Klingman (Todd Rundgren's Utopia).
Ant-Bee is the brainchild of one Billy James. Formed through a series of musical experimentations in the recording studio back in 1987 in Los Angeles. In 1988, Ant-Bee were signed to Los Angeles record company Voxx/Bomp Records. The first Ant-Bee album was 'Pure Electric Honey', and received rave reviews worldwide. Ant-Bee became an overnight legend in the European underground. The album also featured guest performances by Bob Harris (Frank Zappa) and Rick Snyder ( Captain Beefheart ). In 1990 the live Ant-Bee ensemble was assembled and gigged throughout Los Angeles to the astonishment of most audiences. Also at this time, while recording new material, the first Ant-Bee video was filmed "Here We Go Round The Lemon Tree" which viewed in L.A and Canada. During this period a cover version of the unreleased Beach Boys song "Do You Like Worms?" was recorded. Oddly through a bizarre turn of events this Ant-Bee version of the song was mistakenly played on a Beach Boys radio show as a rare Beach Boys demo!! It eventually surfaced on several elaborate European bootlegs as an unreleased Beach Boys studio outtake from 1966!!!! In 2004, ANT-BEE was mentioned in Brian Wilson's 'Smile' tour program, proclaiming the artist was the first to cover the 'Worms' track in question.
In 1992 the second Ant-Bee video was filmed "The Girl With The Stars In Her Hair", a much more elaborate production. It was broadcasted worldwide to much critical acclaim. At this point Ant-Bee left Voxx records. An EP of new music was released in Germany and several magazines and European labels released rare Ant-Bee tracks. Also during this period Billy James/Ant-Bee began a long (and current) relationship with the original ex-Mothers Of Invention (Frank Zappa's first group). Thus began a series of recordings, filmings and gigs with these legendary artists (Bunk Gardner, Don Preston, Jimmy Carl Black, Motorhead and Roy Estrada). The Ant-Bee was the first in over 25 years to record most of the original Mothers (sans Frank Zappa) together on CD!!! From this unique collaboration came the second Ant-Bee album 'With My Favorite Vegetables & Other Bizarre Muzik' (released Divine Records UK 1994). It also sold very well and received massive press and airplay worldwide!! For obvious reasons it especially appealed to Frank Zappa fans.
In 1994 Billy James relocated to the east coast to record the third Ant-Bee album 'Lunar Muzik'. Now in an elaborate 24 track facility, the third album soon become a true Ant-Bee masterpiece. Again the original Mothers make guest appearances along with the legendary Daevid Allen of Gong/Soft Machine, Harvey Bainbridge of Hawkwind and the original members of the Alice Cooper Group (namely Michael Bruce, Neal Smith) making 'Lunar Muzik' the most ambitious and pioneering project of the '90s!!! Also to promote the release of this album was the filming of the psychedelic video 'Child Of The Moon'. After a tour of the east coast with Michael Bruce, the Ant-Bee began work recording the fourth album 'Electronic Church Muzik' which promised to be an even bigger extravaganza then the previous album. Possibly the most adventurous album of the decade, after 12 years the new ANT-BEE album 'Electronic Church Muzik' is now available!
ANT-BEE 'Electronic Church Muzik' is available from www.BarkingMoondog.com and soon available through CDBaby and iTunes.
For more information: www.ANT-BEE.com
Watch "Child of the Moon" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji1A-9Lw7mA
Watch "The Girl With The Stars In Her Hair" video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INWtzDAA19o
Press Inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@cs.com
Thursday, March 3, 2011
reProductions cd release party info
Location Ramalama Records
3151 West Central Avenue
Toledo, OH
Created By Todd Rundgren RundgrenRadio.com,
More Info TODD RUNDGREN will be in attendance and will be autographing purchased reProductions CDs for as long as he can take it :-)!
Gigatone Records is providing us with the first set of reProductions CDs for this CD Launch Party on March 30th in Toledo OH. This new CD is not expected to be released until this summer so event attendees are going to be a step ahead of other fans by several months! Hear the new music FIRST as Ramalama plays it over their speaker system while you wait to meet TR!
There will be a VIP line for fans that bring their concert ticket or will call confirmation.
We hope to see YOU there!
3151 West Central Avenue
Toledo, OH
Created By Todd Rundgren RundgrenRadio.com,
More Info TODD RUNDGREN will be in attendance and will be autographing purchased reProductions CDs for as long as he can take it :-)!
Gigatone Records is providing us with the first set of reProductions CDs for this CD Launch Party on March 30th in Toledo OH. This new CD is not expected to be released until this summer so event attendees are going to be a step ahead of other fans by several months! Hear the new music FIRST as Ramalama plays it over their speaker system while you wait to meet TR!
There will be a VIP line for fans that bring their concert ticket or will call confirmation.
We hope to see YOU there!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
New Video clip from Chris Eptings article on the Pyramid
http://www.aolnews.com/2011/02/07/todd-rundrens-utopia-found-the-great-pyramid-of-massachusetts/
at the end of this article is a fresh new video talking about the RA pyramid. inteviews with dan harple and todd rundgren
at the end of this article is a fresh new video talking about the RA pyramid. inteviews with dan harple and todd rundgren
Hotel group rates for upcoming shows.
Columbus group rate will be ready tomorrow and the info posted on SonsOf1984.com. Hyatt on Capitol Square. $109. It's $164 on hotels.com FYI. 1/2 mile or so from the venue. PLEASE do not call now -- they are not ready yet.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
RundgrenRadio tonight choir members special
www.rundgrenradio.com
We'll have special guests from choir members of both the upcoming Todd+Healing concerts as well as the previous tour in September!
Our first guests will be a few of the choir members from the Keswick show in September -- Barbara Ingram School of the Arts choir.
The Keswick concert choir guests will be followed by George Hertzel. Since 1988, he has had the privilege of being the opening act for Todd 3 times. He will be joining Todd again, along with a vocal ensemble consisting of his music students, for the upcoming Toledo and Columbus "Todd" + "Healing" Albums Live concerts so we'll be discussing how that's going. He will also be sharing with us some stories about his experiences with Todd, Michele and Mary Lou and how he landed these gigs over the past 20+ years
We'll have special guests from choir members of both the upcoming Todd+Healing concerts as well as the previous tour in September!
Our first guests will be a few of the choir members from the Keswick show in September -- Barbara Ingram School of the Arts choir.
The Keswick concert choir guests will be followed by George Hertzel. Since 1988, he has had the privilege of being the opening act for Todd 3 times. He will be joining Todd again, along with a vocal ensemble consisting of his music students, for the upcoming Toledo and Columbus "Todd" + "Healing" Albums Live concerts so we'll be discussing how that's going. He will also be sharing with us some stories about his experiences with Todd, Michele and Mary Lou and how he landed these gigs over the past 20+ years
Monday, February 28, 2011
Japan show announced
http://www.fujirockfestival.com/Artist/
the site is in Japanese but he is confirmed to play this festival
July 29(Fri), 30(Sat), 31(Sun), 2011
• PLACE
Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-machi, Niigata, JAPAN
the site is in Japanese but he is confirmed to play this festival
July 29(Fri), 30(Sat), 31(Sun), 2011
• PLACE
Naeba Ski Resort, Yuzawa-machi, Niigata, JAPAN
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Interview: Goldmine Magazine march 2011
pick up this months edition of goldmine to read the interview
Todd Rundgren Tribute band The Hermits of Mink Halloween and Road to Utopia
this band will be playing a special show along with another band called road to utopia on Saturday, March 26, 2011
The night before the Todd Rundgren Todd + Healing Albums Live Concert at Berklee Performance Center.
road to utopia
The night before the Todd Rundgren Todd + Healing Albums Live Concert at Berklee Performance Center.
road to utopia
Todd Rundgren w/ The Hocking College Vocal Ensemble todd/healing shows in ohio
Todd Rundgren w/ The Hocking College Vocal Ensemble
Event Details.Time: April 1, 2011 from 7:30pm to 11pm
Location: The Southern Theatre
Street: 21 East Main Street Columbus, OH
City/Town: Columbus, OH
Website or Map: http://www.capa.com/venues/so…
Phone: (614) 340-1896
Organized By: Professor George Hertzel
Event Details.Time: April 1, 2011 from 7:30pm to 11pm
Location: The Southern Theatre
Street: 21 East Main Street Columbus, OH
City/Town: Columbus, OH
Website or Map: http://www.capa.com/venues/so…
Phone: (614) 340-1896
Organized By: Professor George Hertzel
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
CD release party News .. tolendo ohio
It's official!! RundgrenRadio to throw a Todd Rundgren reProductions CD Launch Party!
1) TR will be in attendance
2) We have a commitment from Gigatone Records that they will provide us with the first set of reProductions CDs on March 30th in Toledo OH. Most likely this will be a CD autograph signing at a record store in Toledo.
...
3) We might do a party the night before -- more of a party atmosphere kind of thing. TBD.
1) TR will be in attendance
2) We have a commitment from Gigatone Records that they will provide us with the first set of reProductions CDs on March 30th in Toledo OH. Most likely this will be a CD autograph signing at a record store in Toledo.
...
3) We might do a party the night before -- more of a party atmosphere kind of thing. TBD.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Counselors for the Todd summer camp announced
Greg Hawkes
Musician Greg is the keyboard player from The Cars. He has recorded with Paul McCartney
and performs regularly with Flo & Eddie. He was a member of Todd's band for the recent
AWATS and Todd/Healing tours. He also plays the ukulele.
Janet Kirker
Copyright Expert For over 20 years, Janet has been spearheading projects for entertainment giants such as
Warner Bros, Disney & Fox. Since 2005 at EMI, she's become recognized as one of the
leading minds in copyright registration and the flow of rights worldwide.
Jesse Gress
Musician Jesse has been touring and recording with TR since 1991, as well as the Tony Levin Band,
Jim Weider and John Ferenzik. He is also a respected music educator and former music editor
of Guitar Player magazine, with 100s of transcriptions & 6 acclaimed reference books in print.
Kasim Sulton
Musician Singer/songwriter Kas is well known for his work with Todd Rundgren and Utopia,
Meat Loaf, Joan Jett, The New Cars and a host of others. He was Musical Director for
Meat Loafʼs live performances and produced his VH-1 Storytellers special.
Lynn Robnett
Artist-Fan Liason Since 2007 Lynn has been handling day-to-day duties for Panacea Entertainment's
elite client roster, including Paul Shaffer, Richard Belzer, Donny Osmond, and TR.
Her passion is developing artist-fan connections via Myspace/Facebook/Twitter et al.
Michele Rundgren
Entrepeneur Michele lives for the stage (Broadway, The Tubes, TR) and is bringing her experience
to a new crop of artists as Creative Director for DS Vocology developing apps for singers
and musiciansa as well as performance coaching. In July 2011, she opens "LiberTIKI" in LA.
Prairie Prince
Musician Prairie, best known for his drumming with The Tubes, Jeffersons Starship and Todd is also
an accomplished graphic and album cover artist, and along with his creative partner Michael
Cotten, has created set designs for the likes of Billy Joel, Bette Midler & N'Sync.
Rachel Culp
Clothing Designer The daughter of actor Robert Culp, for 25 years Rachel has been creating custom outfits
for clients like The Tubes, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Starship, Blue Oyster Cult, Mr. Big,
Elvis Costello Band, and most recently Todd Rundgren's Todd-Healing tour.
Randy Brown
Stage Tech For the last 25 years Randy has been an all-around stage technician for artists such as
Roberta Flack, David Byrne, Bad company, Meat loaf, Blondie and Ted Nugent to name a few.
Randy's been a TR crewman since Liars and now stage manages AWATS & Todd/Healing.
Musician Greg is the keyboard player from The Cars. He has recorded with Paul McCartney
and performs regularly with Flo & Eddie. He was a member of Todd's band for the recent
AWATS and Todd/Healing tours. He also plays the ukulele.
Janet Kirker
Copyright Expert For over 20 years, Janet has been spearheading projects for entertainment giants such as
Warner Bros, Disney & Fox. Since 2005 at EMI, she's become recognized as one of the
leading minds in copyright registration and the flow of rights worldwide.
Jesse Gress
Musician Jesse has been touring and recording with TR since 1991, as well as the Tony Levin Band,
Jim Weider and John Ferenzik. He is also a respected music educator and former music editor
of Guitar Player magazine, with 100s of transcriptions & 6 acclaimed reference books in print.
Kasim Sulton
Musician Singer/songwriter Kas is well known for his work with Todd Rundgren and Utopia,
Meat Loaf, Joan Jett, The New Cars and a host of others. He was Musical Director for
Meat Loafʼs live performances and produced his VH-1 Storytellers special.
Lynn Robnett
Artist-Fan Liason Since 2007 Lynn has been handling day-to-day duties for Panacea Entertainment's
elite client roster, including Paul Shaffer, Richard Belzer, Donny Osmond, and TR.
Her passion is developing artist-fan connections via Myspace/Facebook/Twitter et al.
Michele Rundgren
Entrepeneur Michele lives for the stage (Broadway, The Tubes, TR) and is bringing her experience
to a new crop of artists as Creative Director for DS Vocology developing apps for singers
and musiciansa as well as performance coaching. In July 2011, she opens "LiberTIKI" in LA.
Prairie Prince
Musician Prairie, best known for his drumming with The Tubes, Jeffersons Starship and Todd is also
an accomplished graphic and album cover artist, and along with his creative partner Michael
Cotten, has created set designs for the likes of Billy Joel, Bette Midler & N'Sync.
Rachel Culp
Clothing Designer The daughter of actor Robert Culp, for 25 years Rachel has been creating custom outfits
for clients like The Tubes, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Starship, Blue Oyster Cult, Mr. Big,
Elvis Costello Band, and most recently Todd Rundgren's Todd-Healing tour.
Randy Brown
Stage Tech For the last 25 years Randy has been an all-around stage technician for artists such as
Roberta Flack, David Byrne, Bad company, Meat loaf, Blondie and Ted Nugent to name a few.
Randy's been a TR crewman since Liars and now stage manages AWATS & Todd/Healing.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Article: Techical awards GRAMMY's roger linn by todd rundgren
http://www.grammy.com/news/technical-grammy-award-roger-linn-0
February 01, 2011 -- 9:49 am
By Todd Rundgren / GRAMMY.com
In addition to the GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy presents Special Merit Awards recognizing contributions of significance to the recording field, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical GRAMMY Award. Each year, The Academy invites friends and colleagues of Special Merit Awards recipients to pay tribute to the honorees' career accomplishments, while also adding colorful anecdotes and personal accounts. In the days leading up to the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, GRAMMY.com will present the tributes to the 12 Special Merit Awards recipients for 2011.
My first LinnDrum fascinated and frightened me. I had been pretty unimpressed with the state of programmed drums, the tinny analogue sounds that propelled the disco music that was glutting the airwaves in the late '70s. Yet, here was a device that, in the proper hands, could be a suitable replacement for a real drummer — that most troublesome of all instruments and instrumentalists!
What frightened me was the ease with which I and my contemporaries could perform such a substitution. Soon a recording would not be considered radio-worthy without the fat, precise sound that the LinnDrum provided. We were moving into a world where few could tell the difference between live and programmed performances.
Innovation was nothing new to Roger Linn. In 1979 he introduced the LM-1 Drum Computer, the world's first programmable sampled-sound drum machine. The drum sounds created by his machines were heard on countless recordings, including my own, and those by Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Peter Gabriel, to name a few.
He has since continued to develop cutting-edge products, including the Linn 9000 and more recently a tool for guitarists, AdrenaLinn. Appropriately, he is a fine guitarist and songwriter himself, having co-written songs for Eric Clapton and Mary Chapin Carpenter, and toured with Leon Russell. Based in Berkeley, Calif., he and his wife Ingrid operate Roger Linn Design out of their home and will no doubt continue to churn out high-tech products designed for musicians.
Of course, not telling the difference between a machine and a real person is moot today. The revolution started by Roger Linn and his rhythmical box is complete. Drummers have not disappeared, but you can't listen to the radio for five minutes without hearing a drummer who may not actually be a drummer.
(A singer/songwriter, musician and producer, Todd Rundgren's hits include "Hello It's Me," "I Saw The Light" and "Can We Still Be Friends?" With a career spanning more than four decades, Rundgren was also a member of Nazz, formed the progressive rock band Utopia, and produced for artists such as Badfinger, Grand Funk Railroad and the New York Dolls. He produced, arranged, engineered, and played on Meat Loaf's 1977 album, Bat Out Of Hell, which has sold more than 14 million copies.)
Presented by vote of The Recording Academy's National Trustees, the Technical GRAMMY Award recognizes individuals and companies that have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the field of recording. The Technical GRAMMY was first awarded in 1994. To view a complete list of Technical GRAMMY Award recipients, click here.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Julie Andrews, Roy Haynes, Juilliard String Quartet, The Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton, Ramones, George Beverly Shea
Trustees Award: Al Bell, Wilma Cozart Fine, Bruce Lundvall
Technical GRAMMY Award: Waves Audio Ltd.
February 01, 2011 -- 9:49 am
By Todd Rundgren / GRAMMY.com
In addition to the GRAMMY Awards, The Recording Academy presents Special Merit Awards recognizing contributions of significance to the recording field, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, Trustees Award and Technical GRAMMY Award. Each year, The Academy invites friends and colleagues of Special Merit Awards recipients to pay tribute to the honorees' career accomplishments, while also adding colorful anecdotes and personal accounts. In the days leading up to the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards, GRAMMY.com will present the tributes to the 12 Special Merit Awards recipients for 2011.
My first LinnDrum fascinated and frightened me. I had been pretty unimpressed with the state of programmed drums, the tinny analogue sounds that propelled the disco music that was glutting the airwaves in the late '70s. Yet, here was a device that, in the proper hands, could be a suitable replacement for a real drummer — that most troublesome of all instruments and instrumentalists!
What frightened me was the ease with which I and my contemporaries could perform such a substitution. Soon a recording would not be considered radio-worthy without the fat, precise sound that the LinnDrum provided. We were moving into a world where few could tell the difference between live and programmed performances.
Innovation was nothing new to Roger Linn. In 1979 he introduced the LM-1 Drum Computer, the world's first programmable sampled-sound drum machine. The drum sounds created by his machines were heard on countless recordings, including my own, and those by Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Peter Gabriel, to name a few.
He has since continued to develop cutting-edge products, including the Linn 9000 and more recently a tool for guitarists, AdrenaLinn. Appropriately, he is a fine guitarist and songwriter himself, having co-written songs for Eric Clapton and Mary Chapin Carpenter, and toured with Leon Russell. Based in Berkeley, Calif., he and his wife Ingrid operate Roger Linn Design out of their home and will no doubt continue to churn out high-tech products designed for musicians.
Of course, not telling the difference between a machine and a real person is moot today. The revolution started by Roger Linn and his rhythmical box is complete. Drummers have not disappeared, but you can't listen to the radio for five minutes without hearing a drummer who may not actually be a drummer.
(A singer/songwriter, musician and producer, Todd Rundgren's hits include "Hello It's Me," "I Saw The Light" and "Can We Still Be Friends?" With a career spanning more than four decades, Rundgren was also a member of Nazz, formed the progressive rock band Utopia, and produced for artists such as Badfinger, Grand Funk Railroad and the New York Dolls. He produced, arranged, engineered, and played on Meat Loaf's 1977 album, Bat Out Of Hell, which has sold more than 14 million copies.)
Presented by vote of The Recording Academy's National Trustees, the Technical GRAMMY Award recognizes individuals and companies that have made contributions of outstanding technical significance to the field of recording. The Technical GRAMMY was first awarded in 1994. To view a complete list of Technical GRAMMY Award recipients, click here.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Julie Andrews, Roy Haynes, Juilliard String Quartet, The Kingston Trio, Dolly Parton, Ramones, George Beverly Shea
Trustees Award: Al Bell, Wilma Cozart Fine, Bruce Lundvall
Technical GRAMMY Award: Waves Audio Ltd.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)