The Todd Rundgren Connection

The Todd Rundgren Connection contains information about the musician Todd Rundgren.

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Spirit of Harmony Foundation

A section/article that has been updated in the last two weeks.

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Runt

A collection of collectibles.

The Ballad of Todd Rundgren

Todd's bio and historical information.

Something/Anything?

Looking for Something/Anything about Todd? Chances are, you'll find it here.

A Wizard, A True Star

A review of Todd's technical accomplishments.

Todd's Awards and Recognitions

Todd

Your guide to other external and Todd-related information.

Initiation

Just starting out on the Road to Utopia? Stop here first.

Faithful

Todd's fans speak.

Hermit of Mink Hollow

Check out Todd's early and continuing experiments in video and keep up with his TV appearances.

Back To The Bars

Concert & release information and reviews, playlists, photos and schedules. Be sure to check out the fan review project.

Healing

The Spiritual side to Todd's work.

The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect

Interviews and other articles with the wizard.

A Cappella

Lyrics, lyric parodies, guitar tabs and MIDI of Todd's songs.

Anthology

A look back

Great TR Web Sites of the Past

Nearly Human

A Collection of TR noises for your computer.

Utopian System Beeps

2nd Wind

Outside projects and productions and the continuing evolution of Todd's career.

No World Order

Some studio tricks, flubs, interactivity and that International Feel.

the Individualist

Information on Todd's first enhanced CD recording

"The Individualist"

With A Twist

Information on Todd's Bosa Nova release, ... and a bit of humor

One Long Year

Important Dates in Todd History

Reconstructed

Todd and the Covers plus, favorite series from Utopia Times and Black and White

Liars

Information on "Liars" plus more lies and the lyin' liars that tell them.

Arena

Goin' Social

Section: Todd

Book News

Paul Myers - A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio

Paul Myers' comprehensive book of Todd in the studio A Wizard, A True Star: Todd Rundgren in the Studio is available for pre-order at Amazon.com. It's due out October 1, 2010. Paul is blogging parts of the book during the month of September. See his blog The Pulmyears Music Blog.

Second Installment of Todd Rundgren Biography To Be Published

12/10/2009 - Asheville, NC - After a seven year gap, much to the anticipation of Todd Rundgren fans worldwide, A Dream Goes On Forever - The Continuing Story of Todd Rundgren vol. 2 is to be published by Golden Treasures Publishing on December 15. 2009. There is no more consumate musician than Todd Rundgren. There is no more complete collected account of his sonic accomplishments than A Dream Goes on Forever. This second volume of the biographic series tracks his history from the triumphant mid-'70s atop the golden pyramid to the challenging mid-'80s when he faced the demise of Utopia. Follow the album-by-album coverage from Todd's landmark 1977 production of Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell through to the persistence of vision which allowed him to continue creating music after the end of his video studio, record label and band. From Utopia to Oblivion and beyond.

No account of Todd Rundgren's second decade of creativity would be complete without extensive coverage of his pioneering efforts in music video. From his first forays into live TV to the founding of his state-of-the-art $2 million studio, Todd poured as much energy, money and talent into the advancement of music video as he did for his audio adventures. Relish the highs such as when "Time Heals" becomes the second video ever played on MTV, or Utopia presides over the channel's first birthday celebration with Nina Blackwood. Be there as Martha Quinn and Todd announce results of a Basement Tapes session, and when the band produces award-winning videography for "Feets Don't Fail Me Now". Follow along on the rollercoaster ride as Utopia's TV show plans get foiled by lost RCA satellites, and the studio ultimately and tragically goes up in flames.

Learn how, despite it all, Todd continues to forge ahead producing his own landmark solo albums along with pop gems like Skylarking by XTC and Forever Now by the Psychedelic Furs. It's all here, disc by disc, frame by frame, covering all the developments in unparalled detail. It's the continuing story of the one - the only - Todd Rundgren marching boldly through the Utopia years.

A Dream Goes On Forever vol. 2, featuring a foreword by Utopia member Kasim Sulton, is available through Amazon as well as directly through Golden Treasures Publishing (who, along with publishing the first volume of the Todd Rundgren biographic series, has released Beyond & Before - The Early Years of YES by Peter Banks).

For more information:
www.goldtrespub.gemm.com
www.ant-bee.com

Press Inquiries:
Glass Onyon PR
glassonyonpr@cs.com

A review is at Musoscribe.com

Chris Epting writes:

Wanted to make you aware that in my new book (out May 1, 2005) called Elvis Presley Passed Here... Even MORE Locations of Pop Culture Landmarks from Santa Monica Press, in the Music Chapter I include a visit to the former loft where The Secret Sound was located in NYC. This to me is a very relevant pop culture landmark given the incredible music that was created there. A very strange experience taking the elevator ride up to the top floor to the old loft. It looks to be configured pretty much the same as back then, except now a candy company occupies the space. Where once Utopian amps, keyboards and guitars were arranged, where Wizard, Todd and War Babies were recorded, there are now boxes of chocolate stacked up. Current owners had no real idea of the place's history. Anyway, that's one of about 700 other places included in the book, which you can see on amazon here
or at my author's site: www.chrisepting.com

Dave Stainton has taken part in the National Novel Writing Month competition during November 2004 which basically set the challenge of writing a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days. He completed his novel on 29th November, and it's entitled "The Lucky Guy", which as you will guess was suggested by Todd's song of the nearly same name. The main character is also a big Toddhead and he managed to cram as many references in as he could. The novel has been blogged and available at www.the-lucky-guy.blogspot.com.

Todd is featured in a section of "Ragged Glories: City Lights, Country Funk, American Music" by Barney Hoskins. Published in the UK in August, 2003, it's been reviewed by The Observer.

An interview with Todd Rundgren is featured in the new book "Behind The Muse: Pop and Rock's Greatest Songwriters Talk About Their Work and Inspiration" by Bill DeMain. In addition to the interview with Todd, conducted in 1997, the book features interviews with over 40 successful and respected songwriters (including Smokey Robinson, Billy Joel, Brian Wilson, David Byrne, Andy Partridge, Suzanne Vega, and others). More details on the book, and ordering information, can be found at the website of the publisher, Tiny Ripple Books (www.tinyripple.com). The book can also be ordered through the amazon.com and Barnes & Noble (bn.com) websites.

Bebe Buell's new tell-all book, Rebel Heart : An American Rock 'N' Roll Journey, includes quite a bit about her relationship with Todd. It's available at Amazon.com

A Dream Goes On Forever - The Continuing Story of Todd Rundgren

Update 4/11/2003 - The most recent issue of MOJO (A rock mag in the UK) has a review of the book

Update 2/9/2003 - Fans who wish to submit a review can send it it . Reviews collected so far are found at A Dream Goes On Forever.

On a side note, I just finished the book yesterday, and would not hesitate to recommend it to any TR fan.

Update 1/21/2003 - The book "A Dream Goes On Forever - The Continuing Story Of Todd Rundgren vol. 1" is now available and shipping.

The book is approximately 500 pages with 16 page color section, and tons of photos throughout. Volume 1 chronicles TR's life from birth to 1976 (right after John Siegler quits Utopia).

Please tell the world Utopia Is Here!!!!

Update 11/3/2002 - The book now looks on target for a December release. The book changed typesetters about 2 months ago and Calvin Shenkle, the guy who did most of Zappa's cool covers in the 70s (Grand Wazoo, Overnite Sensation - many others..) is doing the whole thing - looks like he's almost done - this should put volume 2 close behind.

Update - Due to printer delays, the book is now scheduled for a September release. Now available for pre-order! $29.95 soft cover, $39.95 hard cover. 500 pages with a 16 page color middle photo section. Billy James has written a book on TR, which is scheduled for release though Golden Treasures Publishing in September 2002. The forward for volume 1 was written by Roger Powell.

Update 1/28/2002 -

Multiple volumes are anticipated, two maybe three
The cover is a Lynn Goldsmith picture of Todd in the infamous peacock outfit from the Midnight Special
Billy now has almost every player from the Utopia bands participating
Volume one will cover Todd's early career up to the pre-Kasim Utopia era
U.K. Industry mag Mojo will likely run a promo about the time of the S/A? 30th anniversary

This is shaping up to be a superb document which will outdistance most all other bios in depth due to the number of people involved and the volume of material used. A book of this depth will probably only come along once in our lifetime.

Beatles Undercover

Kristofer Engelhardt has recently published "Beatles Undercover" which includes a chapter on Todd. It's available at a discount from Amazon.com.

Music for the Eye

Todd (with David Levine) has a book out from Ten-Speed Press in Berkeley CA. It's called Music for the Eye and lists at $19.95. It's a collection of images from FlowFazer and GrokGazer. It's on the bookstore shelves now.

Although it's currently out of print, Amazon.com offers a special notification service when it's once again available.

Here's the associated advert text:
'Often called a visionary, Todd Rundgren has continually been on the cutting edge of multimedia technology through the integration of his music and art in video. 'Music For The Eye' is a scintillating collection of electronically produced imagery, combining current 'cyber-punk' form with echoes of psychedelia.

Over 100 incredible and colorful images throughout the book are coupled with the musician's words and excerpted song lyrics.'

$19.95 paper, 96 pages, 8.5 x 11 - isbn 0-89087-752-1

Multimedia Sound and Music Studio

Apple has sponsored a book/CD series with Random House and New Media Magazine and the newest title features an interview with Todd and some clips from the "I" on the CD component. Entitled "Multimedia Sound and Music Studio" (The Definitive Guide for Creating Sound and Music on Macintosh and Windows Platforms) by Jeff Essex, it should be available in most large bookstore chains imminently. Priced at $45.00 U.S., the ISBN # is 0-679-76191-8. It also features interviews with other notable interactive music artists and industry insiders regarding actual production issues, trends, and other useful hands-on production information. It's available at Amazon.com for a discount as well.

Power Pop!

A book is out by Ken Sharp and Doug Sulpy called "Power Pop!" The 350 page book showcases 28 extensive and revelatory interviews with the following:

SMALL FACES	   THE MOVE	     THE NAZZ	        THE RASPBERRIES
BADFINGER	   BIG STAR	     EMMIT RHODES	THE FLAMIN' GROOVIES
CHEAP TRICK	   RICK SPRINGFIELD  SHOES		BAY CITY ROLLERS
DWIGHT TWILLEY	   HUDSON BROTHERS   SQUEEZE	        THE RUBINOOS
20/20		   THE KNACK	     THE BEAT	        THE PLIMSOULS
THE BANGLES	   THE GO GO'S	     MARSHALL CRENSHAW	THE RECORDS
THE THREE O'CLOCK  JELLYFISH	     THE POSIES 	ENUFF Z'NUFF

--The book also features an exclusive front cover painted by Cyril Jordan of The Flamin' Groovies

To order send a check or money order for $23 (postpaid) to:

poptomes
Box 1249
Willow Grove, Pa 19090

(Checks or money orders made payable to Ken Sharp/Doug Sulpy)

OVERSEAS ORDERS ADD $13

If you're a fan of power pop, this book is a must.

Any question please feel free to e-mail me at SHARPK@aol.com

Thanks!

RED ALERT FOR SEVENTIES FANS

A new book called "Night Moves: Pop Music in the Late '70s" (St. Martin's, NY, 2000) covers everything from pop to rock to punk to funk, including individual chapters on artists like Steely Dan, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Earth Wind & Fire, Elvis Costello and Fleetwood Mac. Foreword by Joe Jackson. Written by Don & Jeff Breithaupt, the book is a followup to 1996's "Precious and Few: Pop Music in the Early '70s", which received rave reviews: "Deftly chronicles the sounds of the seventies" (New York Post); "Put it in the eight-track and have a blast!" (Oakland Press); "Full of witty observations" (Louisville Courier-Journal); "An indispensable guide" (Toronto Sun). "Night Moves: Pop Music in the Late '70s" is available through major online retailers like amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and chapters.ca, as well as through your local bookseller. N.B. 5 Todd ref's in index!