Added: 5 years ago
From: rundgrenfan
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  • Brilliant! thanks for posting!!!

  • About time he get's into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With how he innovated music and the influences, producing, backing, etc, He Belongs there.

  • What a gem, this video. Thank you SO much!!

  • Fabulous!!!

  • I could listen to this song over and over, for years and it still gives me goose bumps. Simply amazing.

  • This is the guitar that was owned by Eric Clapton in the Cream times????

    How fabulous sound was that!!!!!!!! And Todd knows make stratospheric distortions in this monster, fantastic!!!!!!!

  • The guitar starting at 2:11 STILL, to this day, makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck as I trust both hands into the air, to the beat ...

  • great music, crap camera and directing!

  • When I have discussed this song with other musicians over the years i have always been surprised at how unappreciated this piece is.

    It's one of my favorites. It rocks and you have three keyboardists. One of whom is named Moogy. What's better than that!

  • Oh man, talk about memories here. We used to say Todd was God for a good reason back then. Thanks very much for posting this.

  • Heavan in my body!

  • I saw them do this over a half dozen times in the 1974-75 timespan....greatest band ever! Todd knows how to pick em!!☺

  • !!!

  • I wish we only had three or four channels today! Weekend nights rocked!

  • I was teenager studying classical piano when I first heard this album. It changed my whole life and how I was to look at, and consider music in the future. Today I am a 52 old music producer, pianist and electronic keyboard and synthesiser sessions player. I wept when I found this live performance of Utopia's Theme song. I only wish I could have seen Utopia performing this live, as some of you lucky people have. The gigs this band of geniuses performed must have been awesome as hell!

  • @Simona050 I hope you got the chance to see them perform this year...I'm 28 so there was no way I could see them then, but got that chance a month ago and it was so amazing....I hope that band performs with Todd again in the future

  • Nice chords.

  • thank you again. amazing stuff. this song just amps me up so much. i find myself air mimic-ing all the instruments...lol. love it.

  • His greatest band and album. By miles. He had MANY other good things to play at MANY other junctures in his career... but this band took the cake in sheer raw musicality and intensity. Freedom Fighters, Freak Parade. The Ikon. Just a beautiful, ambitious, unbelievably powerful prog record from a guy who could do just about ANYTHING. Kudos Todd. And all who enjoyed him then and now.

  • I have been a Todd fan for 37 years and I will never forget the many times I had seen him in concert...I feel I am so very lucky to have witnessed his genius.

  • as always and forever...a wizard, a true star! long live todd!

  • I have seen many concerts and guitarrists, but I have never seen play the guitar as well and intense as Todd R

  • What a performance,absolute brilliance.Long live TODD.

  • there's something about the sound of an analog synth that digital will simply never capture.

    epic tune!

  • This still stands as one of the greatest pieces of rock music of all time. Todd's talent and genius are unmatched. This album is timeless, and 34 years after I first heard it, I still am captivated by it.

  • the same for me,this album and Ra touch perfection...

  • @beautifulady2003 Agreed.  The breakout guitar chords at 2:12 are holy and timeless.

  • @beautifulady2003 Pure and brilliant ,like mother earth

  • I still love that guitar playing,

  • TR....

  • The incredible mind of Todd.

    Watch him, he's marching in the

    Freak Parade starting at about 2:40.

    This song blew my head off then and still does.

    It's like 5 songs in one.

    Congrats to the whole Utopia band to be able to play such a complex piece.

  • You have got to be kidding me. This is one of my old time TG fave and there he is playing it live.

    Nice.

  • Todd is one of those rare individuals where you gotta say, "How could that much genius be embodied in just one person?? " Man! These old videos remind me just how lucky to get to witness it. Geez.

  • I hear that: know exactly what you're saying, how you feel about Todd. Who can say(?), but, always thought - felt - his genius was the most: apparent, obvious, well expressed, and, best showcased on his album "A Wizard, A True Star"...perhaps the most appropriate - aptly - named album...ever!

  • saw Todd at Slims June 18th-  blew us away!

  • that guitar sends you straight to Utopia

  • hearing the Utopia theme on KSAN was my 1st exposure to Todd Rundgren in the early 70's - still blows me away!

  • me too

  • Actually, my best old Todd! Still great!

  • Hey what year is this from? I got 'utopia' for christmas when I was little because I liked the cover.. the album changed me life. I still like the album version better. Anybody out there into the Ikon?

  • Yes indeed. Complete brilliance. My only problem is that I just cannot find 'freak parade' out there.

  • Thanx! I have not seen this in a long time.I saw this Utopia show many times between 1974 and 1977---the personel changed alot. M Frog was the first casualty I believe.Kevin Ellman was a master of the bombest fills ! Poor Moogy,Ralph and John---all tremendous players that should of become stars also.

  • This is what I was expecting at my first rock concert after hearing AWATS and seeing the TODD cover. Instead on Oct 16, 1974, I got the short-cut, brown-haired normal TR on the plain cherry SG. Still, the music blew my mind and I have never gotten it back since!

  • Like a futuristic Who. Cool stuff

  • This is from Don Kirshner's Rock Concert broadcasted on TV. circa 1974-75

  • look at that drummers unibrow--wow

  • PS is this the best sounding drum kit ever?

  • Kevin Elman had the Bruford touch!

  • Bill would be proud!

  • Great stuff. The Utopia album was my first exposure to Todd and I've collected practically everything he's done since.

    Couple things I've never understood: 1. Why did Todd change bands after this? I like these guys much better than the Wilcox/Sultan/Powell lineup. Ok, it's a matter of great vs stellar; the later Utopia was pretty good too. And 2. what happened to the rest of the Fox Theatre gig? This stuff sounds amazing! I want it all!

  • Drummer Kevin Ellman left to help with his dad's business - Beefsteak Charlie's. Yeah, he's a drum god to me. When he added 4 more toms...maaan. In an interview from '80, Neil Peart mentioned him twice, loving him for laying into those concert toms like no one before!

  • Ellman was one of the best! How about that little drum solo starting "Everybody's Going to Heaven"?

  • Incase nobody answered your Q, It really boiled down to the cost of producing a tour with that many members coupled with the waning demand for large Prog rock jam session bands. The radio had no clue what all this was. They needed songs that fit in the 3:30 format. Bearsville asked Todd to give them SOMETHING they could use for marketing thus the birth of 'Freedom Fighters'.

  • he was lead gtr for ringo's all stars in '91 when i finally saw him

  • This is so cool. I feel like I'm back in the basement of my mom and dad's house listening to this album. I was the only one who was into this, and I could get lost in this. In my own City in My Head...

  • Saw 12/15/75 at Beacon Theater NYC, as well as summer '76 at the Shafer Festival in Central Park,same venue as this, the Wollman Skating Rink. God how'd I remember the name of that rink?

  • I was at the show in Central Park also...what an amazing show!!!!!!!!!!!

  • I can still remember very well, '74, I was 17yo, living in a boring, small town called Almelo in Holland. I bought this record with this live version of Utopia on it as well as studio recording of:Freak Parade (lost the album over the years or sold it for dope) The album had a very small pic of this concert on the back, with stage, the 3 synths and the huge drum kit.I still can remember the lyrics very well :"City in my head, etc...". Am glad I found this clip back on Utube.

  • I saw this show in West Palm Beach Florida. It was amazing I had never seen 3 keyboards together and the lightshow was the best. Todd Rundgren is a great perfomer live.

  • For the record, the wild looking Gibson SG being played in this video was a gift to Todd from the "Slow Hand" Eric Clapton himself!

  • Oops, forgot to add that It is in fact the "Layla" guitar! Thanks for posting these video's!

  • Actually,it's called "the fool" guitar, as thats who painted it for clapton.

  • Best concert in upstate NY- the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The audience-they all GOT it.

  • Wow..can't believe I found this!This music still haunts me to this day..this Is classic prog space rock at It's best.This Is real art not like todays rap crap.Thanks for posting..where did you find this?Man the 70's was the best!Todd's guitar work Is just awesome on this tune.The song was actually recorded live in the Fox theater In Atlanta Ga. on the album!

  • At 5:37, is that Phoebe Snow or Janis Ian? Boy, am I showing my age.

  • I saw this concert in Pittsburgh, I will NEVER forget it. Was one of his best, and I do mean his, cause I never saw anybody else in concert that could do that to you, and I know you all know what I mean, there are no words ok. He had this sheer curtain with an icon behind it and it kept changing colors the whole time, I'm telling you, colors I never saw before in my life, how can there be a color you've never seen before, well the acid may have helped, but I still get off to it now, without acid

  • God you lucky lucky bastard mate, I had to just listen to a platter and imagine from the Album cover, wow

    Chriso

    OZ

    downunder

  • hi raw... i know what you mean ...

    and hes great .. great music... and the feel of utopia is right there ... imaginary theme that is real sound and feels real free.

  • is that claptons gtr ?

  • Yes it is!

  • Todd is Godd

  • Utopia Heaven in my body Utopia It's time for me For me to go. City in my head Utopia Heaven in my body Utopia Into the sky It rises now.
  • Thanks to "Rock Concert" way back in the early 1970's for bringing this type of music forward! Thanks also be to the multiple posters here that keep this amazingly unappreciated talent out there. My wife of 27 years and I have seen Todd in various incarnations perhaps a dozen or more times. Again, thank you for posting this wonderful piece of music!

    Bob

  • Its t8ime for me..for me to go!

  • oh the awesomeness

  • such brilliance, and played on eric claptons old SG, perfection!

  • Get Off The Sidewalk!

  • Freak Parade Quota!!!!^^

  • Thanks for posting this! I never thought I'd get yo see it again after all these years! Your my hero!

  • All of Todd's 70s stuff needs to be put on official DVD, fast.

  • This is the side of Todd I loved the most. I was just a kid, thought he came from a star.

  • Todd is Godd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!

  • Is it true he was married to the Goddess Liv Tyler's mother?

  • He was! He is married to Michelle Gray ( Think that was herr last name now)

  • I cant believe hes the same guy who released Somehing/Anything which I didnt like. But this Utopia album is a classic!

  • I agree. aside from this (my favorite) I only like "A wizard a true star" and "Todd"

  • Allthough I can understand Flack & Scratch ,

    I liked 'm all ,granted; there's a lotta

    shite between the pearls ,but even my patience ran out after "The Tortured Artist

    Effect"('82).

    Whell,Flack....He lived a while with Bebe Buell and brought up S.Tyler's daughter .

  • Great tune! havnt ben near a computer 4 a few years,& i'm lovin' the googlevideo galaxy. never seen these utopia clips b4,TANX! I'd really like ta see what the RA tour was about-saw a slight hit of that 2nite also, it must B out there somewhere? have audio of it-GREAT! THANX again

  • The RA tour was awesome! First time I saw him and it made me a fan for life.

  • 13 in 77 ..wow i miss those days

  • This era of musicianship and artistry very much puts to shame whats happening now. Music used to be an experience. Cosmic, city in my head!

  • Agreed. But I don't think the young listeners out there want to hear songs that go on for 10+ minutes anymore. Loved Utopia!

  • i think youre mistaken :) i think i was born in the wrong decade, and because technology wasnt the same back then, it is really hard to find footage like this. music is dead by now, but the 70's still beat to this day.

  • Hi SaMaeL696! - I should know better by now than to speak for others. You're right! And I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying this era of rock; it was a splendid time indeed! Peace!

  • They Do! They listen to Opeth now!

  • Fer the record, I believe Caravan was also on the Live at Royal Oak Video/DVD !

  • In '74 when I was 13 I smoked my first joint and listened to this on headphones. It blew my mind!

  • I saw this version of Todds band live at the Birmingham odeon in England. It was one of his first British gigs early 1975. I worked as a technician on stage there.Todd blew me away and I rushed out and bought all his albums to that date and ever since.A true star.

  • Is that Hunt and Tony Sales?

  • Just had chills..I'm 17 again!

  • ...een poosje geen Todd meer gehoord maar het lijntje is hiermee hersteld. Rundgrenfans are forever!

  • Oh my God, what memories, Todd really is Godd!

  • Saw this tour In Cleveland-mid 70's Looking through the windowpayne!!

  • anyone have "last of the new wave riders"?

  • Thanks for posting this. For those looking for "Caravan," that is available on 3 different DVDs: Redux Live in Japan, Live in Columbus 1980, and Live in Boston 1982. The Columbus one is from the Adventures tour when the song was first played.

  • THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE MEMORIES, i WAS IN ATLANTA IN"74 & THE GUITAR SOLO FOREVER CHANGED MY LIFE! I THEN UNDERSTOOD THAT THE GUITAR & THE HEART ARE ONE & THE SAME...

  • The guitar and the heart are one in the same

    Just as you and me are one in the same...

    For arnt all men born from the light?

    All to who sought it, have been thought of

    by the true light... the true star

  • Oh Wow man.... De je vu. I just had a flash back.

  • At last, I found it ! merciiiii

  • Todd is God. From a fan who saw him every chance I could after "discovering" Someting/Anything? (10 years after it was recorded) this was a lot of fun.

  • Hell, you think you jumped on the boat too late?... I didn't discover Something/Anything until 33 years after it was recorded.

  • The Ikon was another song from this album. This one is called Utopia Theme. You can go on Amazon and here samples from each song on this album.

  • Some of you out there are VERY knowledgeable about this band. So, to you, I ask - Was there ever a video for the song CARAVAN? I think that's an all-time great.

  • i have never seen a video for caravan. i agree, it is a great song!  thanks for psoting the video.

  • I can give you caravan just give me a few days

  • thanks! looking forward to it.

  • Wasn't this called the Ikon? I can't recall. I guess I should use the tool I am typing on?!

  • nah.ikon is a different beast.same album though.

  • John Siegler - Bass; Kevin Ellman - Drums; Ralph Shuckett - Keyboards; Moogy Klingman - Keyboards; M Frog Labat - Synthesizer.

  • I saw Todd with this selection of Utopia i.e. pre-Kasim in London 1974. Can someone post me the band list as I'm not certain of all the names. Thanks.

    Anyone else at the London show?

  • Yay, pt II. Todd should have been a guitar hero instead of a singer/songwriter.

  • I'm guessing this is one of the three shows this track was recorded for this tour. It's definitely not the Fox in Atlanta- I was there! :)

    Very nice alternate version.

  • Sheet, you were there too? Well it was packed. Remember how warm it was that day outside for April?, I think? I just remember the line and the heat. The sound blew this away. Todd knew he was being recorded maybe? Did they? He sure played for us. I wish I had stayed off the pills that day.

  • one of my favorite alltime cd's (lp's)

  • I think I just soiled myself I am so happy!

  • For me having seen this live so many years ago sitting in the second row it was all about the faces he would make when he played. Sometimes it was to funny. Cant tell you how many times I'v seen Todd but this brought back some memories. Thanks!!

  • great

  • Saw them perform this number in 1975. TR was a bit more acrobatic with the lead guitar on stage in 75 than on this clip.

    Nice clip..thx for sharing.

  • Thanks again, Part II!

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