Todd Rundgren & Utopia - Initiation

[dbacksmark]

Became a Todd fan on May 1, 1972 when he performed at the Pittsburgh Civic Arena backed by the Hello People, opening for Joe Cocker. Saw him play an encore with the Tubes in July 1980 at Wolman Ice Rink in Central Park. They played Baba O'reilly. Todd produced two Tubes records around that time, probably their best thanks to the great Todd Rundgren. Utopia was something else.

[koroba01]

Easily the most under-rated group in rock history...their album "Ra" was beyond belief. Purely genius...

[togue777]

A lot of people don't realize what a great Prog band these guys were in the day. I like this and RA.

[futsal1958]

Dressed for a Star Trek episode but playing like gods!

[bakshay]

Moogy!! Rock on Forever Klingman!

[jflinn210]

An all-out, seven-minute jam.

[debrafadely]

i love TODD...

[micktheMaag]

DAMN... and what a show that was.. transgretion of such insane energy of early Utopia to this form of Utopia was awesome to witness.. truly loved this line up and still do.. but for Todd and company to share these songs with us those years with these guys was awesome to witness.... and of course i saw this show at THE AKRON CIVIC THEATRE.... in 77 thanks Todd... and at the richfield Coloseum in 78 (cleveland) i think those wre the years...lol

[straybeat]

@micktheMaag I was at the Akron Civic too. Remember when he stopped in the middle of the one song and said, "If the sound men could get their shit together, I'd like to finish the song for you all!" The sound guys were my friends who spent the week bragging they were doing Todd's show. LOL

[samsmumable]

what's not to like! fab xx

[202Hollywood]

TR...THE BEST THERE EVER WAS!!!!!!!

[OrisLover]

Really very cool...very progressive. Prince must have been and admirer of Todd. Amazing.

[schubben100]

I remember this concert, dankzij de WDR kwam ik in de jaren 70 nog een beetje aan m'n trekken.

[OneMetaphysician]

I saw this tour also... I'm STILL BLOWN AWAY watching and listening to this!!!

[oregonbobv]

I had 5th row seats at Asbury Park, NJ for this tour. wow!!!

[ardnity]

I think that is what makes this so appealing, is that they are right on the edge of holding it together. Gives it a raw energy. What a great composition!

[StratsRgreat]

Prince must have seen Todd's guitar...

[steinar123]

I agree with Yellowbison, that this version is terrible. They really struggIe holding it together, but it has nothing to do with lack of musicianship. I believe this is the German television broadcast Roger Powell said in an interview was his worst concert experience ever. There were all sorts of technical problems, so at times they couldn't hear themselves through the monitor etc. When taking this into account, it's an accomplishment that it isn't worse. It's a really complicated song.

[Marco33185]

Ça sonne YES première époque ! :o)

[LukasFin]

I forgot my comment. Guys were in some serious bizz, cause acttng like that? OK! In this mood I really loved that. They are brilliant musicians! Aren't?

[toddrunt]

This is BROADWAY!

[TheYellowbison]

This is horrible - seriously

[MuttDeCustard2010]

@TheYellowbison I feel for your lack of jazz/rock fusion appreciation, but I beg strongly to differ. Four virtuostic players/singers making some of the most creative stuff I've ever heard. Just in my opinion.

[TheYellowbison]

@MuttDeCustard2010 I really just meant this performance. There is a lot of off key stuff here. I saw Todd in '85 and it was great.

[beatleswithwords]

This is a freakin jam. rock it.

[epohhope1234]

Marvelous!!!



[splankhoon]

Together with Zappa, the greatest musician of our time : TR ! What a band! What a song!

[MuttDeCustard2010]

@splankhoon Couldn't agree more! Great musical taste

[yesshows100]

I saw this tour in 1977 at Doak Campbell Stadium at Fla. State University, Tallahasse, Fla. It was awsome. But YES 1971 -1979 blows them away. Yes was one of the most revolutionary and innovative bands ever.

[bzzshht]

This is fantastic, thank you.

[MaryJoMuser]

awesomeness in it's entirety!

[perromanchado]

phenomenal

[Progrose]

Man ....these guys are sooooooo good! Oh my, you mean to tell me that Todd was never seriously considered as a top notch guitar great?! Thank goodness that I took the time to really listen to his work....of course his in my favorites now, c'mon what are you kidding?

[cantcel]

In Loving Memory of Don Leifert

[Strange1224]

The difficult made to look easy. Music with a arrangement. Great stuff

[RockCleric420]

Edgar "frankenstein" Winter blows sax on album! *--*

[johnnyriggsisdead]

I saw 2 shows on this tour. GREAT! Thanks for posting.

[bodhichita777]

TOO BAD!!!!!!

[smacksie47]

went to see tood at the palladium in dallas tx. never saw the show, got caught in the bathroom rolling a joint, got kicked out.

[grabngonuts]

smashing

[Hildy2E]

Todd is more than just "Hello it's me" and "Bang on my Drum". This is one of Todd's best. RA, RA, RA!!!

[bungalowmo]

Saw this "RA" tour twice! Unreal!!!!! Love ya TODD!

[Hildy2E]

@bungalowmo Me too. Blew me away!!! How about Singring?  Amazing, wasn't it?

[bungalowmo]

@Hildy2E "Smash it, smash it, smash it!!!!!!!!!!!" :-)

But the water, wind, fire & earth was just badass!

[PRTALL]

incredible

[garrybod]

Phew! This races along so fast it nearly drives off the cliff in places. Saw Todd on Saturday at AWATS, London - brilliant and funny - and he still gets all those high notes - you've gotta love him.

[jrm2fla]

- (comment continued) - BUT

- Yes has so many progressive dimensions - Steve Howe is SO imaginative, playful, beautiful, soaring... Wakeman creates landscapes - Chris Squire has the funkiest driving riffs - Yes is as rhythmically as interesting as Todd - just DIFFERENT - why does one have to be "better" than the other?

[musicfromhell]

I actually think Rick Wakeman's solo work offers a wider range of musical styles than Yes did. He's written for everything from a 5 piece rock band to a 100 piece orchestra. And there's no arguing that Yes were a better band musician-wise.

[jrm2fla]

pffft63 - Please - Todd is great, but Yes not innovative? IMHO both Todd and Yes transmit beautiful positive messages - Love is the Answer is one of my all time favorite songs - I also love Todd's "progressive" material - and his range of genres is arguably broader than Yes's

[12JoeB]

This is Todd R. and Utopia at their peak, delivering what I believe to be their signature piece of this era, captured live a year later on BTTB. The energy, vocals, lyrics, dueling solos and driving rhythm section have been masterfully fused into a blistering version of a very challenging song. Incredible performance!

[tonetubs]

Roger Powell is great, his solo on mister triscuits is un matched. right up there with Jon Hammer.

[jasonbass1962]

great music is always ahead of its time...and timeless.

[SnehanBorn]

....but this was 1975/76. I was there.

[lisakatplay]

This is so F#c#in cool..

[chelababy1]

Todd is such a MASTER & GENIUS.Overlooked Ignored, and Misunderstood.

Todd Rundgren needs our support RIGHT NOW More Than Ever! Not finacially secure after all he has accomplished in the Music World and Computer World. Please support shows buy merchandise & spread the word.

Also please click periodically on his myspace music page. Help HIM RISE 2 this OCCASION !!

ROCK LOVE,

CHERRY XOXO

I am on Twitter too supporting TODD using same Username Just Loving Fan

[fezzappa]

please....he needs help? i don't buy it....he may not be filthy rich but unless he made some bad investments he has to be set ....and if not,thats too bad....he still has talent,so why would we need to promote him and by his merchandise?...hey i will buy his new music....

[JonP1961]

Holy S***! Where the F*** did you find this?!!! ;)

Wow.

This was around the time I first caught him live as a teen.

Peak material.

[prutzworks]

wait another year utopi is here

a true star a wizard!

[MERCURHILLMANIAC]

im 45 ..first time i saw todd was in central park nyc ...i think it was 79...saw him alot of times thru the years ..havent seen him since about 2000...MAN IM JONESIN" YOU JUST GOTTA LOVE THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC ! BENJIE SANTINE

[blackcladlizard]

Does anyone know where to buy the Disco Jets album?

[blackcladlizard]

I got it as an mp3 too but the sound quality sucks. I got it along with the first album.

[scratchwhiplash]

some parts of this are reminiscent to the ikon.

[Cyclingmasterseller]

If you understand Todd then you will appreciate all that is Todd, if not, I can see folks being lost when it comes to appreciating his genre.

[MERCURHILLMANIAC]

@Cyclingmasterseller AND I NOTICED THROUGH THE YEARS THAT THEY ARE USUALLY LOST AT LIFE ALSO...

[bearmare]

I've always thought that Utopia was the more accessible version of Yes. Yes is an impressive band, but they had this habit of getting into (lost) in some massive musical constructs that were just plain unmanageable. At least Tom understood that is any instance less is always more. If Yes did this song, it would go on for 35 minutes and have a dozen guitar and keyboard solos.

[Peatman]

If there is one thing that stands out from the old Utopia live clips (especially at Rockpalast) , it is the huge POSITIVE vibe that just radiates from the music and musicians...just awesome! It looks like they couldn't care less about the audience being half asleep, they're doing exactly what is in tune with the song.

Speaking of being in tune, these are some of the most impressive live backup vocals I have heard. Amazing! High vox like these, especially tricky to pull off while playing drums!

[Blaydrnnnr]

Todd is also credited in pioneering MANY innovations in recording/engineering and video broacasts of music. Something Anything.. every instrument, all engineered by him... still to this day, one of the longest lists of production work in the business. A great innovator as well as a genius in inventive music.

[JennaP46]

the glass guitar~~

[larkydozer]

Seems like he'd listened to the Yes album "Close to the Edge" and was inspired.

[pffft63]

Seems like you don't know anything about Todd recording intricate albums by himself. Production, engineering, all instruments, all vocals, etc. . I am guessing you are American, cuz they only let a few prog rock bands in. Yes were far from innovative. Very far.

[larkydozer]

You like to make comments that assume you possess knowledge that you could not possibly possess.

I have nearly all of Rundgren's releases and quite a few of those he's produced of other artists.

But then, why should I be responding to someone who can't back up what they say.

YES... "not innovative" ? Well, that's your opinion.

You're probably a Somali.

[wightlord]

y'know, Utopia was an American prog rock band

[4evertodd]

Keyboard player is Roger Powell. That guitar is Todd's ankh guitar ( the egyptian symbol of life) from his RA tour. Todd is God!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Khultan]

What I don't understand is this, and don't get me wrong, I totally love Todd Rundgren, especially since I knew very little about him until, of course, Youtube, but with this music: are you or not supposed to get up and dance to it?!?

[GreenSociety42O]

what the hell kind of guitar is that? oh and that keyboard player is amazing! holy shit. Todd is God.

[nathanisaksson]

Keyboardest is awesome indeed. Who is it? Moogy Klingman? I dunno. I've seen Todd live and it was damn cool. But this shit is out of control. What I wouldn't give to get in on this show!!!

[tokingreens]

I never forget what a great guitar player todd is --- or how incredible kasim is on bass or the mastery of roger on the keys...but sometime I do forget how tight and talented little willie is on those drums...

just one of the best bands ever live and on record...I have seen them since the mid 1970's and I feel blessed for being able to...

[decapitatespammers]

Further evidence of the most underrated lead guitarist in history. But I suppose that's how Todd wanted it. He was confident enough to just do it. And if the masses missed that - their loss.

[GianLuNicoGazNevada]

Love Todd since I was 16 y.o.!!! Now i'm 51 and it's the same... genius!!!

[E1D2D3C41234]

Todd is Godd !

[jflinn210]

Wow! They were absolutely JAMMING on that one! Holy CRAP!!! Gives new definition to the phrase, "Power Balled."

[seajaybird]

Wow. Love this song and always will. I just saw Todd's Arena concert (for the 4th time) in SF this week, and he was still flyin' high and baskin' in the light of the neon fire. Thanks, Todd--and happy birthday and anniversary on Monday!

[RockerBobK9]

whoops, meant a thumbs up!

[ReneeNme]

That's okay I think I fixed it to a negative RockerBobK9.

[DeLa4]

Man, they are playing this at Warp Speed! :-)

[zenarcher420]

probably ready to get away from those lame German concert goers

[solarflarescock]

Desire let me go - I would fly so high through the sky -Never to die.

[intuantu]

Willie won out in the costuming. That's the best shirt ever!

[paulwall1981]

I don't know the Keyboard player looks the part in this video with that snazzy little red all in one, don't you think.

[jdmars02]

Awe inspiring. Thank you. Thanks to Todd and Utopia for their fantastic music.

Gonna check out Arena. I think Todd's getting back to this sound...

[kwackerkit]

Yeah, I just got Arena last week. It's got lots of different decades of guitar rock feel to it. Don't love it yet, but I'm sure I will. ;)

[bungalowmo]

Swallow your pride

you don't need it no more

you don't need to hide

all I am is only one more

standing at the door

waiting for

the worlds initiation.....

Oh baby, it doesn't get any better than that!!!

Saw this show 3 times!!!!!

[MUSICOBLISS]

Cool Toddy

[Hairbandssuck]

truly, one of the lamest, gayest hair bands ever

[whillop]

Hair bands are from the 80's & 90's you fucking idiot . In the 70's this was the style of the time , which makes you a clueless , douchenozzle .

[beavis11a]

What are you 12?

[jflinn210]

I remember Todd and Utopia at the 1978 World Series of Rock in Clevelenad, playing Eastern Intrigue, Initiation and Couldn't I Just Tell You back-to-back-to-back, and the crowd was just freakin' awestruck, mesmerized. They were there for the pop of Fleetwood Mac, and Todd was just blowing them away. I still remember doing a 360-look at the crowd, as Initiation reverberated through the stadium. A sight, sound and time I'll never forget. Ever.

[IndieMom6]

I wasn't there for fleetwood mac, I was there for Todd!

[teetosh]

What great vocals over a fusionistic bottom. Completely original!

[ReneeNme]

Watching all these clips of the gig with Utopia never gets old. Glad they exist.

On another note: There were only 3 of the Ankh guitars made one of which Todd is playing here. The other 2 died in a warehouse fire. I saw a relatively new NAMM video here on YT and lo' and behold there was Todd's Ankh guitar. He sold it I guess?

[ReneeNme]

Excuse me : Only " 2 " of the Ankh guitars were ever produced. " 1 ' of them died in a warehouse fire along with one other Valeno guitar.

[lfwpro]

angrysamoan666 get a life I bet you never saw Todd live, if you had you would realize that not only is Todd's singing key but his guitar playing is one of the best in the world. Eric Clapton was quoted in saying that Todd is one of the world's premier guitar player's.

[BlackCatChebs77]

No, no,... angrysamoan is very very funny!! PMSL so let's not stop the entertainement! Never turn down the opportunity for a LoL moment & angrysamoan is providing many... the username's class for starters!

[itmightbetime2012]

I'm jealous, he gets an ankh guitar and I don't.

[angrysamoan666]

I wish you had the ankh guitar not this jazz asshole

[angrysamoan666]

Fuck off, nobody could play that, imho

Anyway side 2 was all done on computer except 'The Fire or Spirit or Electric Fire' that was played

Get a life

[ReneeNme]

Yeah, it is a rather cool and original design itmightbetime2012.

[johnarthurknight]

Did they ever do any of the songs from side two of Intiation live?

[johnkirk4]

No. I would give one of my arms to hear Intro Prana live!

[crabshaw]

Whats all this about Rogers outfit? Don`t you know that Micky & Margaret make the clothes that we ware?

[davieblint]

This is absolutely a top notch performance by an amazing band. Brings back memories of the best Todd show I ever saw - Utopia live in San Diego, CA 1977. Mind blowing musical prowess, 4 lead singers, harmonies perfect - playing even better. ROARING INTENSITY AND POWER.

When the golden ray of the dawn signifies a new day...

INITIATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I miss this Todd. I'm glad he's back on track (or so I hear...).

[ithastobe]

Yes Todd is on tour - if you get a chance, catch him. He will be on David Letterman on 2/22 - new album 'Arena' is awsome.

[ithastobe]

Ooops I meant 12/22.. December.

[jbs428]

@davieblint Yep davieblint, lemme tell ya somethin - ANYONE who thinks they can play anything, by all means, give this little diddy a try...it's not hard for the sake of being hard. It is what it is. Sick thing is, computers havn't made us smarter...nobody gets it

[jflinn210]

@davieblint: I saw him play this at the World Series of Rock in 1978 in Cleveland, about mid-afternoon stage time. At one point in his set, he played "Freedom Fighters," "Eastern Intrigue" and then "Initiation," and he had the crowd of 80,000 simply mesmerized. There were a TON of Fleetwood Mac fans there (Mac was the headliner) that I KNOW had never heard Todd before; he simply overpowered them. If they didn't know him before that show, they haven't forgotten him since.

[MuttDeCustard2010]

@davieblint This is THE BEST TODD/UTOPIA BLAST I have EVER had!!!!! Thank you for sharing this!!! I haven't had the opportunity to ever see him live in person, but have always been a HUGE fan! That is one of the COOLEST GUITARS, EVER!!!!

[pan68]

Awful Art-Rock abberation.

[grahamhowardlawton]

1975. Tripped out in London 10:30pm listening to this. On teaching practice next day in Newcastle/Tyne, overnight bus ahead, never the same since. Can't wait to see The Man again in Manchester on 6/11/08. I'd Vote for Him!!!

[farbrornix]

Awesome minimoog playing.

[ChasBeauregarde]

Roger Powell's outfit looks like the The Jolly Green Giant. Top notch playing regardless!

[bonniebonjour]

Jolly green Giant - Lol - that's pretty funny - okay they were F'n AWESOME MUSICIANS, just not the best fashion plates !

[kahaki]

his current tour is A W S O M E

[ajsz08]

i had a chance to see this tour and kick myself in the ass for not going still to this day

[spanishlake]

Damn that's awesome. I discovered Todd when I was around 15. My life was never the same. I hope there are some other 15-year-olds out there right now, just waiting to learn how cool this stuff is.

[broodyfour]

It won't be the same dude cause you can't get medical grade qualudes anymore. LOL

[chrisepting]

at 1:21 can you see the Grateful Dead poster??

[kissed61]

Yeah,I saw it too,Blues For Allah

[TopBrassFunk]

That's such hot pickin'! I never knew he could play guitar like that.

[wygakyl]

Sorry, but this lineup of Utopia just couldn't do it for me, after hearing these songs on the '75 tour with the 3 keyboards.Gosh, who keeps playing terrible mistakes?

[Minero61]

Did Todd sneak some goosestepping in at 6:00?

That stealthy bastard! :)

[alandhopewell]

Say what you will about Kasim, he's got a VOICE on him...wish "Eternal Love" was on YouTube.

[SexySouthernBelle]

He definitely has one of the BEST voices I have EVER heard!

He's pretty damn good lookin' too.

And luckily for me, I had the chance to meet him so on top of all that, he is a sweet genuine person! :)

[IndieMom6]

How did you meet him you lucky person? I have seen him 33 times but never got to meet him. What is the secret?

[peterm3964]

I think the audience is in a stunned trance .. Possibly thinkin 'How fuckin good is this shit???'... Zes decadent amerikans are zo good at everyzing ... no wonder zay beat us in ze vor..

[ladiezroom]

nono, ze decandent amerikans dont knou zat all ze harmoniez zat todd uze come from good old german classsical and romantic music--possibly zey don´t even knou in australia- to buzy hunting kanguruuz

[grdnzrnic]

playing the ankh guitar ... what a metaphor

[grdnzrnic]

pretty intense

[tbzeee]

and yeah, what's with the bored germans? check out stevie wonder's amazing mid-70s rockpalast appearance for more audience boredom. the performance is transcendently funky and THEY'RE JUST SITTING THERE! not even one toe a-tappin. i don't get it; i'd be dancing my ass off

[neorunt]

Zat iss ze vay vee R!!!

Svallo yoor pride.

[mysterysurf]

Yeah, that's always a problem with most of those Rockpalast clips -- the audience is usually pretty lethargic. I saw Todd & Utopia on the Ra tour twice, great shows -- though a little over the top (in retrospect) with the whole "climbing the pyramid" Singring deal.

[tbzeee]

not only could todd do anything, he was lucky enough to find other multi-faceted players to surround himself with; as seen right here, where the boys positively RIP into this one. whew! most bands who play "prog-rock" forget about the second half of that equation; not only should the music be complex, it should also ROCK! like utopia rocks.

[pittyone]

is there anything he can`t do?

[ReneeNme]

Man I still wish I could get a replica of Runts ankh guitar.Sooo cool.

[greuve]

Sigh ... watching this video certainly reminded me of my age but far more of the privilege of being part of that bit of history when "popular" music truly was art.

[thumperinflorida]

great analogy

[zenarcher420]

this hits the nail directly on the head.this is exactly what UTOPIA is and STANDS FOR.i have fashioned my life in and around this song.peace on earth;good will toward man..

[neorunt]

That's a nice comment zenarcher420. Todd moulded my entire way of thinking, especially this era. I'd spend hours in my bedroom as a youth in awe of not only the music but the concepts. I still feel the same.

[jamesrobertdobbs]

I was there too!!!

[alandhopewell]

Da Runt be KICKIN' here!

[skooooo]

I've been looking for a video of this song forever!!!! Finally!