Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren

Born: June 22, 1948
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Todd Harry Rundgren (born June 22, 1948) is an American multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, and record producer who has performed a diverse range of styles as a solo artist and as a member of the band Utopia. He is known for his sophisticated and often unorthodox music, his occasionally lavish stage shows, and his later experiments with interactive entertainment. He also produced music videos and was an early adopter and promoter of various computer technologies, such as using the Internet as a means of music distribution in the late 1990s.

A native of Philadelphia, Rundgren began his professional career in the mid 1960s, forming the psychedelic band Nazz in 1967. Two years later, he left Nazz to pursue a solo career and immediately scored his first US top 40 hit with "We Gotta Get You a Woman" (1970). His best-known songs include "Hello It's Me" and "I Saw the Light" from Something/Anything? (1972), which get frequent air time on classic rock radio stations, and the 1983 single "Bang the Drum All Day", which is featured in many sports arenas, commercials, and movie trailers. Although lesser known, "Couldn't I Just Tell You" (1972) was influential to many artists in the power pop genre. His 1973 album A Wizard, a True Star remains an influence on later generations of bedroom musicians.

Rundgren is considered a pioneer in the fields of electronic music, progressive rock, music videos, computer software, and Internet music delivery. He organized the first interactive television concert in 1978, designed the first color graphics tablet in 1980, and created the first interactive album, No World Order, in 1994.[1][5] Additionally, he was one of the first acts to be prominent as both an artist and producer. His notable production credits include Badfinger's Straight Up (1971), Grand Funk Railroad's We're an American Band (1973), the New York Dolls' New York Dolls (1973), Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell (1977) and XTC's Skylarking (1986).

Movies for Todd Rundgren...

Sigma Sound: The Sound Heard 'Round the World
Title: Sigma Sound: The Sound Heard 'Round the World
Released: September 23, 2023
Type: Movie
In the 1960s, while America was in the throes of race riots, five people from diverse backgrounds came together in Philadelphia to create a new sound: Philly Soul. Its home, Sigma Sound Studio, was a place that drew Chubby Checker, The O'Jays, Stevie Wonder and many more. This film tells its amazing story.
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Todd Rundgren: The Individualist Live
Title: Todd Rundgren: The Individualist Live
Released: February 3, 2023
Type: Movie
Todd Rundgren's THE INDIVIDUALIST LIVE concert was filmed and recorded live during the summer of 2019 at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe, PA. Together with long time band members Jesse Gress, Greg Hawkes, Prairie Prince, Bobby Strickland and Kasim Sulton, Todd mesmerizes his audience for over 2 hours covering his illustrious career of hit songs much to the delight of his adoring fans!
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2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Title: 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Character: Self
Released: November 20, 2021
Type: Movie
Filmed at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, the 2021 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony honors inductees: Tina Turner, Carole King, The Go-Go's, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters, and Todd Rundgren; along with Kraftwerk, Charley Patton and Gil Scott-Heron; LL Cool J, Billy Preston and Randy Rhoads; Clarence Avant for the Ahmet Ertegun Award. The special music event also features a host of all-star presenters, performers, and special guests, including Angela Bassett, Christina Aguilera, Mickey Guyton, H.E.R., Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Hudson, Drew Barrymore, Paul McCartney, Lionel Richie, and many others.
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The Sparks Brothers
Title: The Sparks Brothers
Character: Self
Released: June 18, 2021
Type: Movie
Take a musical odyssey through five weird and wonderful decades with brothers Ron & Russell Mael, celebrating the inspiring legacy of Sparks: your favorite band’s favorite band.
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Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Title: Monty Python's Best Bits Celebrated
Character: Self
Released: June 5, 2021
Type: Movie
Monty Python’s influence on comedy has been compared to the Beatles’ influence on music, a pivotal moment in the evolution of television humor. Celebrating the cultural legacy and influence of the troupe, this special pairs their original material with new and entertaining commentary from celebrities who consider Monty Python hugely significant, both personally and to the history of screen satire. Celebrity humorists discuss, laugh, and reminisce about various Python segments and bring a fresh perspective to the material, connecting Monty Python’s work to today’s most successful television humor. In a time when a few moments of escape and laughter couldn’t be more sought after, this special reminds viewers of Python’s cultural impact, and that PBS introduced them to American viewers.
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Fanny: The Right to Rock
Title: Fanny: The Right to Rock
Character: Self
Released: April 29, 2021
Type: Movie
The untold story of a Filipina American founded, California garage band that morphed into the ferocious rock group Fanny, the first all female band to release an LP with a major label. Adored by David Bowie, the band's groundbreaking impact in music has been lost in the mists of time... until now. Fifty years later, bandmates reunite with a new record deal and a second chance to right the wrongs of history.
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Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Live At The Chicago Theatre
Title: Todd Rundgren's Utopia - Live At The Chicago Theatre
Character: Producer Sing and Songwriter
Released: May 22, 2018
Type: Movie
After a thirty-year-plus hiatus, Todd Rundgren's Utopia graced the Chicago Theater stage, with the hopes of promising fans an extraordinary, other-worldly concert experience. In the 1990s Todd retired Utopia and reverted to making his own music, with varying degrees of success, and then last year came the announcement of the long-awaited U.S. reunion tour, where the album in review here originates. Recorded in Chicago on 22nd May 2018, the music reflects a run through many of the finer moments of the Utopia back catalogue. Todd is joined by fellow original members Willie Wilcox (drums) and Kasim Sultan (bass), alongside replacement keyboard player Gil Assayas who covered at short notice for an indisposed Ralph Shuckett. The original 70's-formed band established a stellar reputation for stretching the prog rock/pop. MUSICIANS Todd Rundgren – Guitar, Lead Vocals Kasim Sultan – Bass, Guitars, Lead Vocals Willie Wilcox – Drums Gil Assayas – Keyboards, Backing Vocals
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Decker: Mindwipe
Title: Decker: Mindwipe
Character: Ambassador Zultan(voice)
Released: July 16, 2017
Type: Movie
Special Agent Jack Decker has been left with an empty mind after all of his memories have been erased. Master codebreaker Jonathan Kington is one of Decker's close friends and colleagues who attempt to help him regain his memories. Kington and others recount fascinating stories from Decker's past in hopes that they can help him regain his identity and once again become the man he once was. Show creators Tim Heidecker and Gregg Turkington star as Decker and Kington, respectively.
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Todd Rundgren An Evening With Todd Rundgren Live At The Ridgefield
Title: Todd Rundgren An Evening With Todd Rundgren Live At The Ridgefield
Released: September 1, 2016
Type: Movie
Includes some of Todd’s best known songs including “Hello It’s Me” and “Bang On The Drum” PLUS fan favorites that haven’t been performed live in decades! Recorded at The Ridgefield Playhouse in Ridgefield, Pennsylvania, Rundgren's new live album is the one that better paints the most faithful portrait of one of the most original artists ever. This live concert, recorded at the end of 2015, incorporates the highlights and, at the same time, some of the less known songs of Rundgren's incredible career. Bass, Vocals – Kasim Sulton Drums – Prairie Prince Executive Producer – Eric Gardner Guitar, Vocals – Jesse Gress Guitar, Vocals, Producer [Music], Mixed By [Music] – Todd Rundgren Keyboards, Vocals – John Ferenzik Producer – Chris Andersen
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Todd Who?
Title: Todd Who?
Character: Himself
Released: July 9, 2016
Type: Movie
Todd Who? is a passionate, quirky 'rockumentary' that chronicles a fan’s 30 year obsession with criminally underrated rock musician Todd Rundgren.
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Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell
Title: Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell
Character: Self - Producer, Bat Out of Hell
Released: January 9, 2015
Type: Movie
Documentary featuring an intimate profile of American rock legend Meat Loaf, spanning from his childhood of domestic violence, through a decade of rejection by record companies to global fame, bust-ups and a major comeback.
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Title: Decker
Character: Ambassador Zultan (voice)
Released: July 17, 2014
Type: TV
The free world is in danger, and only one man can help. Jack Decker has sworn to defend America from foreign terrorists regardless of which spineless president is in charge. This is Decker: The Series.
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Title: Japanology Plus
Character: Self - Guest
Released: April 3, 2014
Type: TV
Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.
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Ringo at the Ryman
Title: Ringo at the Ryman
Character: himself
Released: March 22, 2013
Type: Movie
An exceptional concert by Ringo Starr and the All Star Band performed at the Ryman Theater celebrating his birthday, July 7, 2012.
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Todd Rundgren Todd
Title: Todd Rundgren Todd
Character: Himself
Released: September 13, 2010
Type: Movie
Todd Rundgren performed Todd live in its entirety for the first time ever, as part a special limited six-date sold-out tour (the Healing album was also performed, which will be a subsequent stand-alone live DVD/CD release). The September 14 date at Philadelphia’s Keswick Theater, in Rundgren’s hometown, was videotaped and is being released as both a live DVD by S’More Entertainment and a live audio CD by sibling RockBeat Records. Joining him onstage were Utopia’s Kasim Sulton (bass), The Cars’ Greg Hawkes (keyboards), The Tubes’ Prairie Prince (drums), Guitar Player Magazine’s editor Jesse Gress (guitar), Bobby Strickland (sax) and a full choir.
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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1978
Title: The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1978
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 2007
Type: Movie
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The Harry Smith Project Live
Title: The Harry Smith Project Live
Character: Self
Released: November 7, 2006
Type: Movie
Hal Willner's Harry Smith Project concerts in London, New York and Los Angeles celebrated the eccentric collector genius and his influential Anthology of American Folk Music. Instrumental in inspiring the urban folk revival of the 1960s, the Anthology's continuing impact on modern music is incalculable. Drawing on this legacy, these landmark shows brought together a remarkable roster of artists performing their own unique interpretations of these classic songs.
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Utopia: Live in Boston 1982
Title: Utopia: Live in Boston 1982
Character: Producer Sing and Songwriter
Released: January 1, 2004
Type: Movie
This video features experimental rockers Utopia performing live in Boston in 1982. Todd Rundgren, Kasim Sulton, Roger Powell and Willie Wilcox show off the group's unique blend of progressive rock, electronica and new wave that made them standouts in the 1970s and '80s. The band performs more than 23 classics, including "Libertine," "Feet Don't Fail Me Now" and "Hammer in My Heart." A documentary features interviews with each band member.
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Utopia Live in Columbus, Ohio 1980
Title: Utopia Live in Columbus, Ohio 1980
Character: Producer Sing and Songwriter
Released: August 19, 2003
Type: Movie
Todd Rundgren founded Utopia in order to play prog-rock, but the band became a more mainstream rock group as the '70s progressed. This DVD captures them performing before an avid crowd in Columbus, Ohio on a 19890 tour. The band plays over two-dozen songs over the course of the show including "Hello It's Me," "Love In Action," "Set Me Free," and "Love Is the Answer."
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Todd Rundgren - Live in San Francisco
Title: Todd Rundgren - Live in San Francisco
Released: October 7, 2002
Type: Movie
Rock's original Renaissance man brings his vast array of musical styles to the stage in this raucous live concert at Maritime Hall in San Francisco, California. Producer extraordinaire, writer of such hits as "I Saw the Light," "Hello, It's Me" and "Bang the Drum All Day," founder of the band Utopia and general music maverick, Todd Rundgren performs many of his greatest hits and a wealth of new tunes in this video capturing his live stage show. Songs: I Hate My Frickin ISP, Yer Fast, Black and White, Number 1 Lowest Common Denominator, Open My Eyes, Trapped, Love in Action, Bang the Drum All Day, Temporary Insanity, Medley: Mystified/Broke Down and Busted, Buffalo Grass, One World, The Ikon, Hammer in My Heart, World Wide Epiphany.
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Todd Rundgren: Live in Japan
Title: Todd Rundgren: Live in Japan
Character: Self
Released: August 22, 2002
Type: Movie
Rock's original Renaissance man, Todd Rundgren -- who's also a producer, writer, founder of the band Utopia and general music maverick -- rocks the house in this live show. Recorded at the Tokyo Sun Plaza Hall and featuring a remastered soundtrack, this dynamic performance includes the songs "Real Man," "Unloved Children," "Parallel Lines," "Can't Stop Running," "Compassion," "Secret Society," "Love of the Common Man" and more.
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Classic Albums: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell
Title: Classic Albums: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell
Character: Self - Record Producer and Musician
Released: January 1, 1999
Type: Movie
Never one for understatement, the aptly named singer known as Meat Loaf (aka Marvin Lee Aday) teamed with operatically-minded pianist-composer Jim Steinman to produce a bombastic slab of 1970s classic rock that has become one of the biggest selling albums of all time. Fueled by Steinman's epic compositions, Todd Rundgren's grandiose production, and Meat Loaf's own soaring vocals, the singer's 1977 debut BAT OUT OF HELL elevated the rock-opera genre to appropriately theatrical heights with its extravagant orchestration and a melodramatic narrative celebrating teenage rebellion. This episode of the CLASSIC ALBUMS series recounts the making of this monumental work through interviews, archival footage, and live performances of album tracks such as "You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth," "Two Out of Three Ain't Bad," and, of course, the adolescent opus "Paradise by the Dashboard Light."
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Title: Behind the Music
Character: Self
Released: August 17, 1997
Type: TV
An intimate look into the personal lives of pop music's greatest and most influential artists.
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Title: Classic Albums
Character: Self - Record Producer and Musician
Released: April 14, 1997
Type: TV
A documentary series about pop and rock albums that are considered the best or most distinctive of a well-known band or musician or that exemplify a stage in the history of music.
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Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
Title: Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey
Character: Self – Musician and Producer
Released: August 24, 1995
Type: Movie
After escaping Russia's communist revolution, Léon Theremin travels to New York, where he pioneers the field of electronic music with his synthesizer. But at the height of his popularity, Soviet agents kidnap and force him to develop spy technology.
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The History of Rock 'n' Roll
Title: The History of Rock 'n' Roll
Character: Self
Released: March 6, 1995
Type: Movie
The history of rock n' roll and pop music are explored are explored via interviews and footage of well-known music stars.
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Title: Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Character: Self - Musical Guest
Released: September 13, 1993
Type: TV
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. The second incarnation of NBC's Late Night franchise, O'Brien's debuted in 1993 after David Letterman, who hosted the first incarnation of Late Night, moved to CBS to host Late Show opposite The Tonight Show. In 2004, as part of a deal to secure a new contract, NBC announced that O'Brien would leave Late Night in 2009 to succeed Jay Leno as the host of The Tonight Show. Jimmy Fallon began hosting his version of Late Night on March 2, 2009.
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Ringo Starr Going Home
Title: Ringo Starr Going Home
Character: Self - Guitar
Released: April 18, 1993
Type: Movie
Enjoy Ringo celebrate his 52nd birthday as he give a personalised tour through his hometown with his son Jason and his step-father, Harry Graves.
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Utopia: Redux '92: Live in Japan
Title: Utopia: Redux '92: Live in Japan
Released: January 1, 1992
Type: Movie
Founded by Todd Rundgren, the 1970s progressive-rock band Utopia reunited in 1992 for a concert at Tokyo's Gotanda Kani Hoken Hall. The group performs 11 hits, including "Fix Your Gaze," "Love in Action," "Princess of the Universe," "Back on the Street," "Just One Victory," "Love Is the Answer" and "Caravan." Front-man Rundgren shares the spotlight with bass player Kasim Sultan, drummer Willie Wilcox and keyboardist Roger Powell.
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The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
Title: The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect
Character: Self
Released: January 1, 1986
Type: Movie
The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect uses the interviewer/interviewee format in which Todd Rundgren answers numerous questions about his life, his music and his philosophy using his explanations spliced with large portions of his songs.
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Elvira's MTV Halloween Party
Title: Elvira's MTV Halloween Party
Released: October 31, 1984
Type: Movie
MTV Halloween special, hosted by Elvira, featuring skits and music videos.
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Todd Rundgren's Utopia - WDR Studio-L Köln 08.01.1977
Title: Todd Rundgren's Utopia - WDR Studio-L Köln 08.01.1977
Character: Producer Sing Song Writer
Released: January 8, 1977
Type: Movie
Todd Rundgren's Utopia Rockpalast WDR Studio-L Koln January 01, 1977 Pro-Shot Setlist: 01. Communion with the Sun 02. Sunset Blvd. / International Feel 03. Love of the Common Man 04. Sunburst Finish 05. Jealousy 06. Windows 07. Emergency Splashdown 08. The Verb "To Love" 09. Initiation 10. Singring and the Glass Guitar 11. Utopia Theme 12. Couldn't I Tell You 13. Just One Victory Musicians: Todd Rundgren - voc/g Kasim Sulton - b/voc Roger Powell - keyb/voc Willie Wilcox - dr/voc
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Title: Rock Concert
Character: Self
Released: September 27, 1973
Type: TV
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert is an American television music variety show that ran during the 1970s and early 1980s, created and produced by Don Kirshner and syndicated to television stations. It premiered on September 27, 1973, with a performance by The Rolling Stones; its last episode was in 1981.
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Title: Happening '68
Released: January 6, 1968
Type: TV
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Title: The Mike Douglas Show
Character: Self
Released: December 11, 1961
Type: TV
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
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The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1973
Title: The Midnight Special Legendary Performances: More 1973
Released: December 31, 1969
Type: Movie