Hello It's Me, Todd Rundgren: A Digital Chat With a Wizard, a True Star
Todd is God.
Sure, Eric Clapton may have been God first, but growing up in New Jersey in the Seventies, I somehow decided to buy American when it came to guitar gods. And so I began to worship Todd Rundgren, the brilliantly talented singer-songwriter-guitarist-producer-arranger and part-time cult superstar who remains to this day a musical force with which to be reckoned.
Todd Rundgren's wildly eclectic career is such that even his devoted fans may only know part of what the man has achieved over the years, from his days with the Nazz, to producing everyone from the New York Dolls to Grand Funk Railroad to Meatloaf to Patti Smith to XTC, to blowing lots of progressive minds with the group Utopia, to foreseeing massive technological changes in the music business before just about anyone else. In his spare time, Todd has always been one of the great vocalists, musicians and guitar gods on earth. And as a dad myself now, I can't help but admire how Todd was also a way cool father figure to Liv Tyler during that long stretch when Steven Tyler was out to an extended chemical lunch.
One thing that Todd Rundgren hasn't ever done is make things particularly easy on himself. Todd's latest challenge is a characteristically wild and challenging one. He's bringing one of his finest and most completely trippy album A Wizard, A True Star to theatrical life for an ambitious series of shows that will find him performing it in its entirety starting on September 6th at the Akron Civic Theater, with further dates already set in Stamford, Connecticut, Bethesda, Maryland, Chicago and Minneapolis. Toddheads not in those neighborhoods will be able to eventually see the Stamford show on DVD and hear it on CD next year, or perhaps more in keeping with Todd's forward-thinking view of the world, they can watch that show live on the web on Pay Per View -- you can find details here.
In my excitement at hearing this non-Fox bit of news, I decided to pimp this exciting occasion to hit Todd up with a few questions about this upcoming theatrical endeavor, about the state of the music business and about his own unique and still-evolving place in living music history.
So all of you Huffington Post-ers, please honk if you too love Todd Rundgren -- whose work appears regularly on the playlists I post here. And if you you're your own questions for the Wizard, write in and maybe God -- I mean Todd -- will answer some of your questions too.
And if Todd doesn't, don't worry. Like the man says, "A Dream Goes On Forever."
Todd, I know why I love A Wizard, A True Star, but why did you choose this album for special live treatment over something/anything else, like for, instance, Something/Anything?
Like a high-priced prostitute, I have my specialties, but I am not above entertaining a bizarre request from the client. My first thought was "...well, it's been a very long time. I'm not sure if my knees are up to it." Then it occurred that there might be something in it for me -- perhaps a settlement of unfinished business. Like somebody Dexter forgot to kill and then he had a lucky chance opportunity to off them in Emmy-winning style.
I saw the production of your Up Against It twice at the Public Theater, so I'm a fan of your theatrical side. How theatrical will this tour get? Will you be channeling your inner Tommy Tune?
You presume I have an inner TT. Unless Tommy can trot out a convincing Soupy Shuffle, I may have to draw my terpsichorial influence elsewhere. There will be quite a few costume changes, some involving originals from the 70s. In such instances, I will be calling on my inner tapeworm so as to fit into them. And let us not forget the Cool Jerk in 7/4. Take that, Tommy!
You foresaw a sea change coming in the music business a long, long time ago -- way ahead of the pack. How do you view the increasing importance of live performance over music sales today: as an encouraging reaffirmation of the meaning of music or an exhausting pain in the ass?
At the expense of tooting my own prognosticational horn, totally covered this years ago. It's amazing how people think you are being revelatory if you can simply bring yourself to accept the facts. Before there were any sort of 'recordings' there was performance. If we are devolved back to the Stone Age tomorrow there will be performance.
More to the point, successful record sales result not in gigantic windfalls of cash for the artist unless they opt to demonstrate their ability to reproduce such performances before witnesses and collect the commensurate rewards therefrom... that being a greater than 50% slice of ticket prices plus merch sales vs. 20 or less percent of record royalties. 'Twas ever thus. The Road Rules.
Even with all your success and influence and a masterful and eclectic body of work, you've been called an undervalued genius, by me at least. Do you feel more undervalued or more genius?
I've been ruminating on this genius thing, and if the cinema is any indication, being misunderstood and undervalued is the true mark of genius. If bearing a reputation as a weirdo is all it takes to be a genius, I'm a shoo-in. Come to think of it, half the people I know are geniuses, the other half peculiarly enough, idiots.
Follow David Wild on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Wildaboutmusic
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As a 49 year old, my first Todd Rundgren album was "A Wizard A True Star" back in 1973 (when I was all of 13 years old). Since then, I was inspired by Todd to become a multi-inst
Consquetly, for me to name one favorite TR album (or song) is all but impossible
Although it is nice that the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame Museum is finally showcasing Todd Rundgren in a new display (which opened earlier this month), let's face it, Todd Rundgren should be inducted into the hall once and for all. It is long overdue...
Wow. I've been a fan of Todd's now for 30 years - And have seen him in concert 48 times now. So yep, in one word, I'm quite familiar with Todd and his career. David, if there is anything I want you to bug Todd about bigtime, keep after him to get Patronet off the ground again. Yeah, I know about the delays and such, but the state of movies and music is in such disarray, we NEED something like Patronet to save the day. Besides, Todd worked so damn hard on it for so long, I would hate for him to give it up. Anyways, look forward to more interviews
David,
I'll TOOT YOUR HORN anyday if it will result in more great articles about TR!
beep... beep....
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Thanks Nonesensely, that's the best digital offer I've had all day
HONK!
Lifelong TR digger via happenstance of teenage Philly osmosis. Getting further acquainted with more things Todd (which is what led me to this article/interview) since first live-and-in-person experience at Tarrytown on Arena tour (unless maybe TR was sitting in with American "I AIn't Searchin" Dream at a Philly street concert/block party back in ye olde day).
Current obsession/immersion has led to tix for AWATS double header, CT and MD.....HON
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Wow, have a great time in CT and MD.
Oops--neglected to thank you for writing/posting this article/interview. THANKS and re-HONK.
Being a Toddler since the beginning of his career, I am still in awe of what he does musically.
It's funny, back in an article in Rolling Stone magazine back in 1978 or 1979 Todd claimed that he was like DaVinci and he wouldn't be "discovered" until he was dead. Guess he still feels like that.... A Genius he is and the muse in many of our lives.....
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I think among his other qualities, he's very funny -- which can get lost in print.
Wow! I loved Todd Rundgren's stuff back when I was still too young to realize just how hip and talented he truly was! Thanks for the memories.
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Thank you aurora59!
David, thanks again for the story and those that posted their beind the scene's stories and how Todd has affected their lives. Hope to see a follow up soon.
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My pleasure, bluize
David, thank you so much for the article. I've been trying to explain my obsession with this upcoming tour since the day the tickets went on sale for the Minneapolis date. Hope some of my friends who are avid Huffington Post readers will now understand.
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There are far worse obsessions to have, Diane. Thank you for writing
DW
Holy Freak Parade Batman! David W., way to go! Shocking to see such a cool article on our favorite Runster, Healer, Glass Guitar Smasher, NazzMan, Mink Hollow Dweller, Son of 1984, and downright Real Man of the Artistic Universe. Thank You sir,TR is the MOST underrateed rocker of our time. I have spent waaay over 100 nights in his audience, starting back in the Egyptian Days of pyramids and fire breathing dragons,( in suburban Cleveland no less). Always a treat to see our Hero get a little press. The Wizard a True Star shows are a dream come true for all of the long, long time fans. A bell in your head will ring, indeed! Thanks and Just One Victory to you Mr. Wild.
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Wow, utopiarunt, the pleasure was all mine. Thanks.
David..you have connection
That summer a friend from london was visiting NY for the first time. How cool is that to not only sing but have your pic on the cover..Som
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I'm happy for you -- which is rare for me.
Love, love, love Todd! While I'm not crazy about some of his projects, I think he wrote/performed some of the most perfect songs ever. My can't-live-without list: We Gotta Get You A Woman, Hello It's Me, Couldn't I Just Tell You, I Saw The Light (In Your Eyes), Real Man, and A Dream Goes On Forever. I still feel such pleasure when I play these songs (loudly!) in my car, especially the "exploding stardust" (yes, it's weird, but that's how I think of it, LOL) guitar solo at the end of "Couldn't I Just Tell You". Todd always makes me feel like I'm in 14 again, riding my 10-speed bike until 9 PM because those summer days stayed light, bright and joyful so late into the evening. Thanks for the memories!
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For the record, recent albums like "Liars" and "Arena" have been wonderful too
I can crank "Freedom Fighters" up till my ears bleed, and I still want more.
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I feel your blessed pain, lsbartz!
Summer 1973 Wollman rink site of the old Schaeffer music concerts .Todd was recording a song to be on his new lp TODD.We had to sing the chorus of sons of 1984 over and over and over to be later mixed with a crowd from San Fran...bes
I was at Central Park as well. Name on the album sleeve and photo on the cover. Central Park had the greatest concerts at incredible prices back then. Led Zeppelin for $3, I believe, you know the memory. They played all night even after the facility shut down the electricity.
Kids today don't have any clue what concerts were like.
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"Couldn't I Just Tell You" is undeniable -- I seem to remember he and Eric Carmen of the Raspberries were sort of borrowing melodies at that time.
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How cool was it to find yourself on that cover?
Hey David. We met a year or so ago when you came to my office at Fox for a general meeting. So good to see an article on Rundgren, one of the true underrated pop musicians of all time. I started going to his shows in 1980 and have enjoyed all the strange and wonderful mutations in his music, career and persona. Sometimes he misses the mark (electronica experiments), but at least he's always evolving and experimenting, never boring. Thanks for putting out some news and I'm looking forward to hearing "International Feel" live and onstage. Todd Y.
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Hi Todd,
Nice to re-connect through that Other Todd.
Don't be a stranger,
DW
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