Todd and Willie wrote it together. Oops is the last Utopia album with seperate credits, and Todd has a hand in all but one track (Windows, by Powell).
btw I'm totally on board with Todd skipping the crowd pleasers but I do think he should have played "Bang on the Drum All Day" when he did his shows in Wisconsin - if you don't know, that's been the Packers touchdown song for a long, long time, most people have no clue it's Rundgren, including I'd imagine many people in the audience.
I have to dig it up, but there is an interview with Liv where she mentioned this long email she got from Todd talking about her work in The Fellowship of the Ring, describing every one of her scenes. Also, she used to be married to a musician named Royston Langdon, whom Todd had open on a tour. There is no doubt that he's a proud father and is as involved in the lives of Liv and his grandson Milo as possible.
I figured he meant the song from Phantom of the Opera. In which case Todd should certainly have played it if requested.
Just got back from SXSW festival in Austin TX, where I had my first experience with Todd's music (outside of the hits and a few tracks from White Knight). I attended the Songwriter's Panel that featured Todd and a trio of other talented musicians. Later that night, I saw Todd live at the Elysium, a 500-capacity nightclub. I didn't know any of the songs but I was amazed by the lyrics and musicianship. After these experiences, I have no doubt that Todd is a genius and I look forward to exploring his music more. Btw, here's the video of Chris Price and Todd singing an impromptu "Bleeding" at the SXSW panel.
Thoughts on the reissue of the Utopia Bearsville catalog on CD? Looks like they have the bonus tracks put on the UK titles and released in Japan. I realize it isn't released yet but I'm curious. I'm surprised that Friday was able to license these.
My wife interviewed Todd about a year ago. He said something to the effect that the greater your popularity, the more shallow your popularity is likely to be. He thinks that his fan base is as rabid as it is in part because he never attained that superstar level. He also said that after the two hit singles from Something/Anything, he was concerned that he would be pigeonholed as a male Carol King, and so he deliberately started throwing listeners for a loop with Wizard. I don't think there were any singles from that album.
Alright! Sounds like I've found some big fans of Todd just in time. So where do I start? Let's go 5 and 5--5 of his own albums and 5 from his production work! I'm ready to dive in
Chris, since you mentioned Todd's kids... Randy Rundgren is coaching baseball in the Cleveland area. My sister-in-law's boyfriend coaches with him. (I smell tickets! ) Story here: Welcome to our Website
I think the real answer to the question thst started this thread is: Todd isn't more famous because he has consistently undermined his chances of being famous by making so many drastic shifts in his career. Because his goal is to follow his own weord, not to become more famous. I fully believe he could have followed up Something/Anything with several more consecutive albums of such catchy material and become huge if he wanted to. Instead he followed up with the oddball AWATS (my fav of his albums) and Todd and the instrumental freak outs of TR'S Utopia. Similarly, he tours in one oddball format after another and often when he deigns to play his hits he does them nothing like the hit versions. I love all these things about him, but the millions needed to make records hits do not.
Power-pop Utopia circa 1982. A tight band playing nearly (there's 2 Todd solo songs) an entire concert of catchy Utopia songs that more people should have heard.
Todd is the poster boy for independent music which offers more control than mainstream. Sometimes 80% of a grape (indie) works better than 20% of an elephant (corporate) if one needs their artistic freedom & sovereignty.
5 albums from TR... Something/Anything - Rock/Pop, commercial stuff and a few bits of wackiness. A Wizard, A True Star - Far out, full of ideas, dense and varied. Healing - Synths, spacey relaxing and uplifting. Oops! Wrong Planet by Utopia - Rock and power pop. Nearly Human - Soul, pop, commercial. 5 Productions... The Tubes - Love Bomb - Forward thinking and very Toddish. XTC - Skylarking - A masterpiece, also Toddish. The Pursuit of Happiness - Love Junk - Power pop and rock with a sense of humour. Very Todd influenced. Shaun Cassidy - Wasp - Middle of the road but has a very TR/Utopia sound and a couple of cracking TR originals. Cheap Trick - Next Position Please - More Power Pop, includes a great TR penned track. That should get you started, mostly more accessible stuff with Wizard being the 'far outest'.
Deface the Music was 2 years prior to this show. Regardless, I was speaking to the volume of well-crafted, catchy song Utopia could wield in concert by 1982. One would think something might have imprinted on the public consciousness.
I'd recommend scrapping Shaun Cassidy and adding either Tom RObinson's "TRB 2" (great songwriting and a classic track in "Bully for You") or Steve Hillage's "L" (if you like cosmic but accessible Utopia).
Tough call. What do you like? "Safe" for the uninitiated: Runt the Ballad of Todd Rundgren (the song "Bleeding" you posted is from this album) Hermit of Mink Hollow Faithful (1st side covers 2nd side originals) Something/Anything Todd New York Dolls (1st lp) Grand Funk Railroad -- We're an American Band Patti Smith Group -- Wave Meatloaf -- Bat out of Hell Bad Religion -- The new America
