Basically it comes down to which Todd he wants to be at any given time. Back when he released Something/Anything many loved his pop genuis and SOUL. It often sounds like Motown on acid with Todd's swirling, panned keyboards and THAT SOUND, like on REAL MAN. Its like boyish love for a girl gone bad, grow, learn, Then Todd gets ahold of his original Utopia, that GIBSON SG or a Fender Mustang w/whammy bar, echoed synthd leads. God, its just SO MUCH TALENT TO ABSORB IN ONE LISTENING. .
OMG, I played the live Utopia Theme song from The Ikon (alternate live version is kinda not so great, sorry Todd) but THIS IS THE ONE. I have followed, and understood Todd in his MANY incarnations, and those who find him "difficult" to grasp, well, some just can't deal with Todd's SOARING, I AM GOING TO HEAVEN guitar solo on their Theme song, lengthy prog rock into REAL MAN which is a goose-bump inducing perfect pop psychedelic Christian-like song. HIS GUITAR PLAYING ON ANOTHER LIVE!!! OMG!!
great stuff, but truly awful stage clothes:) Actually they remind me of an outfit I wore as a Genie in a pmary school play - baggy trousers made out of a white bedsheet, and a spangly top found at a jumble sale ! Late 1960s styleee xx
@samsmumable standing next to Roger Powell is Ralph Schucket, and next to John Siegler is Moogy Klingman. On drums is the very wonderful Kevin Ellman. All are currently touring with Rundgren, however I believe Moogy is very ill these days and has made only a few appearances. Rundgren often played his guitar through one of the synthesizers, as you hear on 'Utopia Theme'
@samsmumable I think the legendary London Hammersmith show you refer to took place Oct 9th '75- the whole show is available on a decent bootleg, with Luther Vandross & Anthony Hinton on backing vocals of course. Klingman & Schuckett had left by then & left Roger Powell to quickly learn all the keyboard parts. Intro/Mr Triscuits is longer & better on this recording imo. The BBC Radio show with Utopia was at Oxford Polytechnic 25th Jan '77- I remember listening to this live
@RufusT9 yes, Luther Vandross! I remember it well . . I tried recording it with a portable cassette and a microphone held against the radio speaker, but of course, it sounded bad. I kept the cassette for ages though:) I never forgot the concert because i remember being overwhelmedy the soaring synthesizers (Intro/Mr Triscuits, I expect) and Todd 's guitar..and also his voice, which was wonderful. I am very pleased to hear it can be got on bootleg...where from?
Superb! Thanks! Brought back old memories. (I caught the Hello People & Utopia in an outdoor concert in Ohio around this time!) Fantastic! Todd is definitely one of the all time unsung heroes of a few generations! :~) A Wizard,A True Star!
This is freakin great!!!!! Close to the lineup I saw back in '75, but the Sales boys were in that one. I believe that was the original Utopia. I even hung onto my "program". Pyramid shaped with pics of the band & some short Bio's. Had Todd sign it about 5 years ago. He was surprised to see that bit of nostalgia thrust at him for an autograph! I treasure that piece of cardboard more than my diamond jewelry!
Thanks rundgrenfan for this little diddy. Great memories!!!
So glad I caught the Utopia reunion for Moogy's fund raiser in NYC a couple weeks ago. Show sould still be up on Utopiashow"dot"com ( running 30 days from show I believe)
This Is Wonderful and Yes Amazingly Clear for the time it was filmed !!! It Just Always Amazes Me that People Are Blind to the Fact That Todd ... IS .. Godd
This came on the night after my 15th birthday. I stayed up through Helen Reddy and Neil Sedaka, only to fall asleep before Todd came on. I was so pissed. I remember The Spinners playing, and i was thinking, "Freakin' FINALLY, now Todd is next." Then .... sleep.
Superior to the album version IMHO. So cool to see the long haired Roger Powell on keys (behind the drummer)... very different from his subsequent "look." Thanks so much for posting.
This is one of my favorite Rundgren songs. I have narrowed my "favorite" Todd songs down to 47 .... and this is definitely one of my 47-most-favorite Rundgren songs ever.
(I tried to narrow it down even more, but I just couldn't do it ... it's damned-near impossible ...)
@bei1016 yes! yes!!! i was talking about it to somebody else's youtube page ---it was brilliant and was played on Radio 1 (UK) twice, either once or both times in 1976. have you got a copy or do you know how to get one? you are one of my favourite people now, somebody else heard it too!! or saw it, even better XX
Superb composer , brilliant songwriter, pianist ,entertainer, lyricist ,poet ,artist rocker, jazzer ,humanist .....oh and a screeeeaaamin guitarist . WHY is this being here with the rest of us fallen angels
To guide us to the truth .
To show the way to enlightenment and peace .
This is just part of what I get from Todd Rundgrens' music .
So great and awesome! I like this song very much. The lyrics... "Clap your hands! Raise your voice! Some people will hide, they can't stand the noise. But we're freedom fighters and we've got no choice!" Simple, but strong! And this difficult but beatiful melody...
>>M.Frog's replacement Mr. Roger Powell!
M. Frog Labat looks like Roger Powell, but I'm sure that I see Labat in this video. But one voice in the harmony really sounds like Powell's... So who is this keyboards player? o_O
Not many people know this, but playing that guitar part while singing that vocal line is VERY HARD TO DO! The only person I've seen as good as Todd, is Sting.
just noticed...behind the drummer, M.Frog's replacement with the long hippie hair...lead singer of feet don't fail me now, Mr. Roger Powell! compare to 80s utopia vids for a good larf.
LOL! I too see Roger there!! I am also seeing, incredibly, the drummer here as being the same drummer in Jeff Beck's Bolero video, am I right, wrong, or drunk?
ah, the 70s...when a man could wear a kimono onstage and still be secure in his masculinity...well sorta (also see ozzy on black sab sabotage lp cover). thanx for all the runt...great stuff! todd is godd.
Trying to get to see The Midnight Special was almost impossible for me in 75 most of the time since my parents hogged the TV, even that late at night! I'm glad I finally got to see this one! Thanx again!
I believe that's the SG on the inside of the Something/Anything LP-not the famous painted beauty once owned by God (AKA Eric Clapton) He pulled that one out on the Ringo's All Stars tour a few years ago during a blazing version of Crossroads w/Jack Bruce on bass-TASTY!
Brilliant song and great performance with both Todd and the SG losing their rainbow shades but nonetheless psychedelic for it. That IS Kevin Ellman on drums. Look at 2'30. Samurai kimono.
Ralph Schuckett - Keyboards, Moogy Klingman - Keyboards, Roger Powell - synthesizers, John Siegler - Bass, Kevin Ellman - drums and Todd - Guitar. This is the group that recorded " Another Live " Nice one Rundgrenfan
Kevin is a finance wiz, he been on some of the money channels on cable. Kevin was one of Neil Peart's big influences. That's where Neil got his big fills!
I worked at Moog in Buffalo, NY in the late 70's... Emmerson had sticky labels over his settings on his Minimoog. "TARKUS" ... but could Emmerson play Trumpet??
i have "the ikon" and "utopia theme" both from 1974.problem is,anything over ten minutes needs splitting on youtube.will try and make some time this week and post one or the other.
Fuckin' a... So good.
JavaJoelRadio 1 week ago
Basically it comes down to which Todd he wants to be at any given time. Back when he released Something/Anything many loved his pop genuis and SOUL. It often sounds like Motown on acid with Todd's swirling, panned keyboards and THAT SOUND, like on REAL MAN. Its like boyish love for a girl gone bad, grow, learn, Then Todd gets ahold of his original Utopia, that GIBSON SG or a Fender Mustang w/whammy bar, echoed synthd leads. God, its just SO MUCH TALENT TO ABSORB IN ONE LISTENING. .
neutroniumamp 1 month ago
OMG, I played the live Utopia Theme song from The Ikon (alternate live version is kinda not so great, sorry Todd) but THIS IS THE ONE. I have followed, and understood Todd in his MANY incarnations, and those who find him "difficult" to grasp, well, some just can't deal with Todd's SOARING, I AM GOING TO HEAVEN guitar solo on their Theme song, lengthy prog rock into REAL MAN which is a goose-bump inducing perfect pop psychedelic Christian-like song. HIS GUITAR PLAYING ON ANOTHER LIVE!!! OMG!!
neutroniumamp 1 month ago
great stuff, but truly awful stage clothes:) Actually they remind me of an outfit I wore as a Genie in a pmary school play - baggy trousers made out of a white bedsheet, and a spangly top found at a jumble sale ! Late 1960s styleee xx
samsmumable 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
21 poor... sorry... souls... That don't have a clue.
Their loss.
hippydippy 5 months ago
why so many keyboard players? i see Roger Powell. but who are the others. and who is the drummer? please tell me somebody!
samsmumable 5 months ago in playlist samsmumable's Favourited Videos
@samsmumable standing next to Roger Powell is Ralph Schucket, and next to John Siegler is Moogy Klingman. On drums is the very wonderful Kevin Ellman. All are currently touring with Rundgren, however I believe Moogy is very ill these days and has made only a few appearances. Rundgren often played his guitar through one of the synthesizers, as you hear on 'Utopia Theme'
RufusT9 3 months ago
Comment removed
samsmumable 3 months ago
@samsmumable I think the legendary London Hammersmith show you refer to took place Oct 9th '75- the whole show is available on a decent bootleg, with Luther Vandross & Anthony Hinton on backing vocals of course. Klingman & Schuckett had left by then & left Roger Powell to quickly learn all the keyboard parts. Intro/Mr Triscuits is longer & better on this recording imo. The BBC Radio show with Utopia was at Oxford Polytechnic 25th Jan '77- I remember listening to this live
RufusT9 3 months ago
@RufusT9 yes, Luther Vandross! I remember it well . . I tried recording it with a portable cassette and a microphone held against the radio speaker, but of course, it sounded bad. I kept the cassette for ages though:) I never forgot the concert because i remember being overwhelmedy the soaring synthesizers (Intro/Mr Triscuits, I expect) and Todd 's guitar..and also his voice, which was wonderful. I am very pleased to hear it can be got on bootleg...where from?
samsmumable 3 months ago
Comment removed
samsmumable 5 months ago in playlist samsmumable's Favourited Videos
Comment removed
samsmumable 5 months ago
AMAZING.... LOVE this song so much.. thanks for posting.!
jgray6868 10 months ago
Ha. Check out John Siegler's jewfro.
__
"Listen to The Ikon. Ringing in the sound of Eternal Mind."
bapyou 11 months ago
tha goes for the cock brothers from Wisconsin!
toddrunt 11 months ago
do not ever fuck with upper darby!
toddrunt 11 months ago
@toddrunt wisconsin asshole!
toddrunt 11 months ago
A fascinating timepiece. I remember hearing this on The King Biscuit Flower Hour.
MrBigcityal 11 months ago
Superb! Thanks! Brought back old memories. (I caught the Hello People & Utopia in an outdoor concert in Ohio around this time!) Fantastic! Todd is definitely one of the all time unsung heroes of a few generations! :~) A Wizard,A True Star!
Groovingfool 1 year ago
This is freakin great!!!!! Close to the lineup I saw back in '75, but the Sales boys were in that one. I believe that was the original Utopia. I even hung onto my "program". Pyramid shaped with pics of the band & some short Bio's. Had Todd sign it about 5 years ago. He was surprised to see that bit of nostalgia thrust at him for an autograph! I treasure that piece of cardboard more than my diamond jewelry!
Thanks rundgrenfan for this little diddy. Great memories!!!
bungalowmo 1 year ago
So glad I caught the Utopia reunion for Moogy's fund raiser in NYC a couple weeks ago. Show sould still be up on Utopiashow"dot"com ( running 30 days from show I believe)
This is a great vid. thanks for sharing.
eclecticNhectic 1 year ago
Is it Good or is it Good??
pallallan 1 year ago
Hey rundgrenfan....it was great to see this (your) clip associated with the AOL article about Moogy.
Oh, the memories.... Thanks for posting this And to Moogy...get well Friend! We all send good energy to ya!
bungalowmo 1 year ago
Comment removed
bungalowmo 1 year ago
WOOOOOOOW I LOVE this song I was just a buc when I herd this album 1974-1975 ????? I was 14-15 .Thank You for the UTOPIA POST
gw95492 1 year ago
damn, I missed them the first time around, I gotta go buy some Utopia music - woohoo, they're good!
SupernalOne 1 year ago
This Is Wonderful and Yes Amazingly Clear for the time it was filmed !!! It Just Always Amazes Me that People Are Blind to the Fact That Todd ... IS .. Godd
Rock Love, Cherry XO <3 : )
chelababy1 1 year ago
fantastic clip! thanks so much for posting!
misospecial 1 year ago
This came on the night after my 15th birthday. I stayed up through Helen Reddy and Neil Sedaka, only to fall asleep before Todd came on. I was so pissed. I remember The Spinners playing, and i was thinking, "Freakin' FINALLY, now Todd is next." Then .... sleep.
jflinn210 1 year ago
The Hair! The Hair!
... but what a great tune by a master!
dragonsrightwing 1 year ago
Siegler's one of the BEST!
JeffWeavil 1 year ago
My first Todd Show ever in 1975. With Ralph Schuckett, Moogy Klingman M Frog LaBatt etc. The 1st incarnation of Utopia AT RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL!!!!!!
ChasBeauregarde 1 year ago
This is the Utopia I saw in 1975 with Kevin Ellman on the drums.
TheMuse58 1 year ago
@TheMuse58 Me too .Ellman ,Seigler,Moogy ,Shuckett and Frog @ the Tower in Upper Darby( Todd's alma mater). Indelible imprint. Todd-ler forever!
erinshaw53 1 year ago
thank you all so much for posting!
frippstar47 2 years ago
Excellent! Todd had a real distinctive lead guitar sound in the 70's
UltraWhammy 2 years ago
Superior to the album version IMHO. So cool to see the long haired Roger Powell on keys (behind the drummer)... very different from his subsequent "look." Thanks so much for posting.
krankor100 2 years ago
This entire album is so cool. ... My 23 year old son's name is ... you got it, Todd.
picchaz 2 years ago 2
@picchaz so is my 17 yr old!
mloaks 1 year ago
How lucky was I, Teen in middle seventies this stuff reverberating around my room
teddingtontcu 2 years ago 5
,,,i can't believe my eeyyyyeeeeeeesssss.......
hearNyou 2 years ago 2
'clap your hands, raise your voice'!!!!!
neorunt 2 years ago
...greetings from somewhere along the 4th notion......
hearNyou 2 years ago
I turn the world on to this song where I can by it being my ringtone !
therealdonm 2 years ago 2
Beast.
A veritable phalanx of keyboard players...
futsal1958 2 years ago 10
futsal1958.
One of the tightest and most hard working bands ever.
How on earth they sychronized all this I have no idea.
Best prog to ever come out of the states.
neorunt 2 years ago 4
This is one of my favorite Rundgren songs. I have narrowed my "favorite" Todd songs down to 47 .... and this is definitely one of my 47-most-favorite Rundgren songs ever.
(I tried to narrow it down even more, but I just couldn't do it ... it's damned-near impossible ...)
jflinn210 2 years ago 21
@jflinn210 The london '75 concert Utopia played w/ luther Vandross on backing vocals is 1 of my top 5 Favorite live shows. Ever heard it?
bei1016 9 months ago 2
@bei1016 yes! yes!!! i was talking about it to somebody else's youtube page ---it was brilliant and was played on Radio 1 (UK) twice, either once or both times in 1976. have you got a copy or do you know how to get one? you are one of my favourite people now, somebody else heard it too!! or saw it, even better XX
samsmumable 5 months ago
Todd Rundgren is the man.
KpCloudM 2 years ago
You got that right. A living legend.
ReneeNme 2 years ago
Superb composer , brilliant songwriter, pianist ,entertainer, lyricist ,poet ,artist rocker, jazzer ,humanist .....oh and a screeeeaaamin guitarist . WHY is this being here with the rest of us fallen angels
To guide us to the truth .
To show the way to enlightenment and peace .
This is just part of what I get from Todd Rundgrens' music .
peterm3964 3 years ago 5
peterm3964
He changed my life.
Talk about humanity, what a shining example.
neorunt 3 years ago 6
Hi Tell me more About How The Runt affected you .
peterm3964 3 years ago
It was way more than the great melodies.
Todd's lyrics, all the concepts, eastern mysticism, the Egyptian phase, The Ikon...
I'd sit alone in my bedroom as a teenager and wonder.
He made my world wide!
Opened my eyes.
neorunt 3 years ago 2
So great and awesome! I like this song very much. The lyrics... "Clap your hands! Raise your voice! Some people will hide, they can't stand the noise. But we're freedom fighters and we've got no choice!" Simple, but strong! And this difficult but beatiful melody...
>>M.Frog's replacement Mr. Roger Powell!
M. Frog Labat looks like Roger Powell, but I'm sure that I see Labat in this video. But one voice in the harmony really sounds like Powell's... So who is this keyboards player? o_O
LychkovIA 3 years ago 2
By 1975 and Another Live it was Roger Powell.
utopianmindset 3 years ago
Raw and live...hell yeah beby.
ReneeNme 3 years ago
Thank you, this is special music.
nickeax 3 years ago
those were grat days for music...Todd lead the pack
wspcougar1 3 years ago
This is a great video. Todd is still the guitar hero. Check out his new solo album 'Arena' for some more tasty guitar from OH.
ithastobe 3 years ago
Wow!
Remember when musicians could really play!
I get goose bumps watching this and yearn for those times.
neorunt 3 years ago
Thanks rundgrenfan!
Great Vid!
Not many people know this, but playing that guitar part while singing that vocal line is VERY HARD TO DO! The only person I've seen as good as Todd, is Sting.
Todd is truly one talented son of a bitch!
You can't even imagine.
GuitarComet 3 years ago
Yeah, "Freedom Fighters" is in 7/4 time. Siegler pushed the group into more experimental direction.
Rundgren
Klingman
Schuckett
Powell
Siegler
Ellman
The best of the Utopias.
bikefixer 3 years ago
Seems 4/4 to me!
nickeax 3 years ago
The first ten seconds or so are in 7/4. The verses are in alternating three bars of 4/4, one bar of 3/4. The chorus is straight 4/4.
And Todd wrote this one.
rdnzl23 3 years ago
I'm quite partial to the first incarnation of the group -- M. Frog kicks ass.
hegelec 3 years ago
just noticed...behind the drummer, M.Frog's replacement with the long hippie hair...lead singer of feet don't fail me now, Mr. Roger Powell! compare to 80s utopia vids for a good larf.
tbzeee 4 years ago
LOL! I too see Roger there!! I am also seeing, incredibly, the drummer here as being the same drummer in Jeff Beck's Bolero video, am I right, wrong, or drunk?
nightliter 3 years ago
That would be Keith Moon.
nickeax 3 years ago
ah, the 70s...when a man could wear a kimono onstage and still be secure in his masculinity...well sorta (also see ozzy on black sab sabotage lp cover). thanx for all the runt...great stuff! todd is godd.
tbzeee 4 years ago
Trying to get to see The Midnight Special was almost impossible for me in 75 most of the time since my parents hogged the TV, even that late at night! I'm glad I finally got to see this one! Thanx again!
SFCBenny57 4 years ago 4
Don't you forget!
neorunt 4 years ago 2
I remember watching this.
jamesrobertdobbs 4 years ago
get back on your feet!
cordt1 4 years ago
TODD is GOD
xrr2112 4 years ago
I believe that's the SG on the inside of the Something/Anything LP-not the famous painted beauty once owned by God (AKA Eric Clapton) He pulled that one out on the Ringo's All Stars tour a few years ago during a blazing version of Crossroads w/Jack Bruce on bass-TASTY!
scooticus 4 years ago
Brilliant song and great performance with both Todd and the SG losing their rainbow shades but nonetheless psychedelic for it. That IS Kevin Ellman on drums. Look at 2'30. Samurai kimono.
mattbea61 4 years ago
...after 33 years.Get those old albums out...TODD play yer guitar! ZAPPA
jimmybfan 4 years ago
Those atoms blasting off the cover of Utopia were going off in my head! Rundgrenfan thank you, help, still there's more!
neorunt 4 years ago
can any music gear buffs tell me what is on the floor to the right of rundgren?
telesg 4 years ago
That's not Willie on the drums. It's Kevin. This was on the Midnight Special shortly before Willie joined.
SundayServicesRadio 4 years ago
wow I saw Todd in central park in 1975 another live it was the same line up Tanks
zappadead13 4 years ago
You're right bunnyman2112. It is Willy Wilcox. Must've been the lack of beard that fooled me.
jimbomak 4 years ago
Ralph Schuckett - Keyboards, Moogy Klingman - Keyboards, Roger Powell - synthesizers, John Siegler - Bass, Kevin Ellman - drums and Todd - Guitar. This is the group that recorded " Another Live " Nice one Rundgrenfan
jimbomak 4 years ago
Willy was on "Another Live," not Kev. I remember being disappointed that M. Frog and Ellman weren't on it... Still love the record, though!
bunnyman2112 4 years ago
I second the notion. This is The Holy Grail!!! Thank you for posting this.
zappatull 4 years ago
Thanks to whoever sent this in, the best Rundren era, and the best Utopia band, this is the HOLY GRAIL
torridcat 4 years ago
Kevin is a finance wiz, he been on some of the money channels on cable. Kevin was one of Neil Peart's big influences. That's where Neil got his big fills!
Lardhand1 5 years ago
Kevin Ellman is currently in a band called New Jersey Rhythm & Blues.
creeplepeople 5 years ago
Beautiful - I haven't seen this since '75.
Whateverhappenedto - Kevin Ellman, samurai drummer
schlepworld 5 years ago
I loved Todd on The Midnight Special and I never even did drugs too!
jskarnes 5 years ago
Wonderful! This song was left off my MS tape, so this is the 1st time I've seen it since the original broadcast. Thanks!
creeplepeople 5 years ago
makes me remember how good Todd is as a blazing guitarist back in these early days, simply mezmerizing
up close near the stage. Thanks rundgrenfan, you are one loyal dude to Todd and the rest of his Toddphiles!
We see him every time he comes to Ohio
nsyman74 5 years ago
I see Powell has a huge Moog modular behind him LOL. Keith Emerson has his influences, I guess....
adewolf 5 years ago
I worked at Moog in Buffalo, NY in the late 70's... Emmerson had sticky labels over his settings on his Minimoog. "TARKUS" ... but could Emmerson play Trumpet??
jomadsincebu 5 years ago
Heh too true...I love Powell's Cosmic Furnace BTW one of my all time fave albums.
adewolf 5 years ago
wacky stuff... i always like solo todd.
orlandofriend 5 years ago
one of the weirdest songs on one of the weirdest albums (freak parade, the ikon).
peteywheatstraw1978 5 years ago
thank you so much for the 74 material ,, thought I would never see this!!!
stymye 5 years ago
i have "the ikon" and "utopia theme" both from 1974.problem is,anything over ten minutes needs splitting on youtube.will try and make some time this week and post one or the other.
rundgrenfan 5 years ago
@rundgrenfan Post "The Ikon" PLEASE!
sukitaaa 1 year ago
@rundgrenfan That's the FIRST on my Youtube Play lists !! Love, Cherry XO <3
chelababy1 1 year ago
@rundgrenfan: Hello. So how about The Ikon???
LychkovIA 1 year ago
Absolutely beautiful! And, as long as we are taking requests, how about a nice 30+ minute "The Ikon?" :)
IncaRoads 5 years ago
Where is this from? Is there any video of this same cast playing the Utopia Theme?
marzullm 5 years ago
Looks to me like The Midnight Special.
curlee59 5 years ago
For those who missed the early shows of Todd and Utopia this is but a small taste. I have never seen a bad show by these guys. Thanks rundgrenfan!!!!
3street 5 years ago
Absolutely incredible! Thanks so much for sharing this with us all! Del
db0956 5 years ago