Todd Rundgren and Utopia - Healer

[neutroniumamp]

OKKIFUNISTOKKI (hope I spelled that right) I LOVE TODD, since I heard A WIZARD, A TRUE STAR, which BTW explains Todd's love for both pure pop and psychedellic mystisim. I believe he realised he had the gift for both, not to mention he's one of my favorite guitarists. The solo on UTOPIA (THEME SONG FROM IKON) which you can't listen to unless you buy the whole song, is pure "heaven in the sky past the planets" soaring genuis.l heard another version but the sound quality was horrible.

[kenmeyerjr]

Healing is one of my favorite Todd albums....though, of course, that is impossible to choose..but this one, with it's long gorgeous songs is something else.

[mrmarriottsgirl]

I absolutely just completely love Todd Rundgren - and I have since 1972 - he's one of the most unique & articulate American ROCK artists - a best kept secret at that. Growing up - noone I knew ever understood this guy & still noone I know gets it - but's that''s ok with me. For those who don't understand I have one simple sentence for ya's -

" Opps! Wrong Planet! " and to my fellow Rundgren freaks I have one simple sentence for you too - "Opps! Wrong Planet! " ha!

Peace!

[terirhan]

I just discovered this awesome artist and this incredible song as well his others. Totally amazing!

[whitehorsetom]

yep sadly the world stills needs a healer,maybe we are the healers.Be happy

[TheArbiter74]

Todd like all true genius artists, are healers!!! Sadly, the world & government of today wants to KILL us!

[vocesa]

Rundgrenfan, even tho the quality of the video is not that good, you can tell that he was in excellent voice. This song's vocal line is pretty difficult, and he does NOT miss ONE NOTE! It's also obvious after watching the much earlier stuff of his, that he really sounded best with his Utopia backing him up. Especially Kasim's vocals. OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE. Love the video!!!

[burntbricks]

i'm a healr

[BRYONJOHN]

Very cool! Yes, the world needs a HEALER!

[karenskoehler]

but still sounds good!!! i love this song!!

[izzatluv]

I love how Todd was hairless in the days of the (bad) hair bands! haha

[aloeveraqueen]

changed my life back in the day in conjunction with good ol L.s.d...thanx Todd.

[JonP1961]

Wonderful tune from great composer..

Been a Todd/Utopia fan since childhood. First time seeing them live was high school (mid 70's).

Thanks for posting this up!

[4evertodd]

I saw this tour back in the day in NYC. Awesome then, and awesome to see part of it here!! He is a genius, and I'll always love his music!!!

[angie4josh]

Genius, pure and simple.

[oldbroancestor]

OLD BRO AND THE ANCESTORS SAY THIS IS TH REAL UTOPIA IF THIS Will Not HEAL YA maybe you have rode to far to get back so keep agoin lets all go to akron ohio on sept. 6,2009 for WIZARD A TRUE STAR concert even POOR FANS CAN DO THINGS out of the BOXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[123ZAC456789]

I missed his performance of this one at Hampton Beach years ago. They told me it was unbelievable and this is the proof. Todd is so terrific in so many ways. As an engineer and not just a musician he is INSPIRATION PRIMO. Big motivation - DO IT TODD! ! KEEP SMOKIN! THANKS FOR THE MASTERPIECES. you RULE these mountains.

[5victor7]

Wow such good music!

[mandrew81]

long live todd!

[jayceerocker]

He Is brilliant

[ceewayne]

My first girlfriend introduced me to this album. One of many things that she introduced me to that I am thankful for.

[bonzelite]

this is so fantastic!

[jflinn2005]

This is the Healing album, which he composed in the weeks and months after burglars broke into his home/studio in Mink Hollow, N.Y., tied up Todd and the others that were there, and robbed the place, including taking partial recordings Todd had made of an ongoing album project. Well, obviously, this dramatically changed Todd's life, outlooks and album. It's about tragic events in one's life, incl. this one in Todd's. "The world needs a Healer."

[emjee]

thank you for the 411...i'm a maaajor TR fan and never knew that. Sad. Ever wonder how many singers/songs have been inspired by Todd's wonderful gift??

[manfrottoman]

Todd Rundgren is one of the top 10 Pop/Rock composers of ALL Time!!!

[tonfan]

damn...if there's a heaven I know what's on the stereo....

[picchaz]

The Gods out there are for sure filtering thru Todd.

[thedansound]

low quality my ass, that is friggin' GREAT! i've only seen that concert one time and it was on a very LO-FI vhs tape. man, what a totally great vocal from todd in particular. "healing" is without question one of my top fave todd albums. it's so great to hear a top notch live performance from that album. KILLER!

[drunksingsheep]

U stole my thunder as all good todd comments do.

took the words Right out of me!

[okkifunkistokki]

Thanks for putting this up here! I started listening to Todd with The Healer. I was only nine and my dad, a jazzguitar player, didn´t tolerate it on the downstairs stereo. So i was up there on my room playing this one and `ever popular artist` over and over again. Nobody else got into it, no matter how hard i tried to convince them. Now i don´t try anymore, their loss!!! I think it still has a lot of urgence in these times. Had the privilege of meeting him once. What a guy!

[zanoni666]

I meet him tomorrow for the second time

and it feels good. There's only one besides

this musician (morrissey) for me.

Todd raised me since the day I met his music

and lyrics till now. And it's getting even

better trough time. I agree, it's still has

a lot of urgence in these times. And what does

time means? In time meeting again if time even

resist! x

[seajaybird]

This album, in its entirety (well, except for maybe "Golden Goose"...), has become a chant in my head. I play it (or think about it) and poof! I feel better. It is like the Zen master's knock on the head. Loved it then and love it now.

[rickb38]

The five second opening of this is song is astonishing. From the pre-performance chaos, he turns toward the mic and opens with 5 amazing seconds of vocals that seem to come from nowhere. Innovative! Brilliant!

[kahaki]

MGM12: i totally agree.

this man is so tuned in.

[sirimar53]

we named our clic back in mid 70s "todd squad", cause it seemed in my rat town no one else got into him, what an inspiration he still is to me.

[intuantu]

I know how you feel, except there wasn't a small clic, just me!

[LivewireRemote]

I was the recording engineer on this show. This copy looks like it's about 6 generations down. I have a dvd copy taken right off the master, and it sounds and looks much better. The audio was recorded on 16 track 2" analog, and mixed at Todd's studio by Chris Anderson, his studio engineer at the time.

Doug McClement, formerly with Comfort Sound Mobile, Toronto, now LiveWire Remote Recorders

Todd was using Eric Clapons Gibson SG, the one that's on the cover of Cream's "Disraeli Gears".

[okkifunkistokki]

So if you have a better recording, why not put it up here? grtz from holland

[grahamclews]

Thanks for adding this!! Healer is a wonderful album..

[KENVAIL]

the reason i got into todd is a little odd, but when i first started collecting records around the age of 13/14, it seemed like most of his catalog was in the bargain bins/cutouts, so i bought a few lp's out of curiosity and it led to a lifelong interest in his music!

[francisanosissi]

wow.

[bry3921]

is it only us? this group of people who can't be called a cult, or hardcore fans? we get how strong and generous his music is. You know how it is, like a secret society. Todd comes up in conversation and someone shows their love, and you feel a rush, a connection.Rfan, your the man. Not to patronize to my comrades, but as a musician I must point out how brilliant and difficult this arrangement is. The rhythmic changes and choral harmonies are so strong, and show their search for beauty.

[Birddery]

live at the Royal Oak?

[MGM12]

God speaks to us thru Todd.

That is all.

[bengolly]

Amazing! That was just beautiful!!!!!

[therealdonm]

Was there any more of this CITY-TV broadcast and does anyone have ? A live version of Healer, how freakin remarkable is that ?!! Thanks as always Rundgrenfan. You HAVE become one of my heroes !

[funeguy2]

just smile...you know it's a beautiful song..and a agree it's not Van Halin..lol

[andreaprodan]

Todd at his spiritual Zenith.

Wonderfull!

Listened to this whilst filming on the Volcano/Island of Stromboli in Italy. Blew my mind and soul. Thanks, Todd.

[lolitadiidii1218]

The healer allowed me to have much positive meditation into this time; thanx to your melodies; love you; stay well

[isleyrundgren]

As Neorunt stated, he has a connection with the audience, back in '82 he did 4 shows--at a rate of 2 per night, of which i went to 3 of them at the now-defunct Venue in London's Victoria, this was when he had released the Utopia album Swing to the Right.While performing the song When I pray from the Faithful album, he called up a few of us to do some 'drumming'. The next day i had the honour of getting him to autograph one of my albums, at Virgin Records, Oxford Street, London

[Flightgrrl]

This is the very first Todd album that I listened to. Love it!

[neverneverlandearth]

actually, give the circumstances, the quality of the vid and sound ain't bad, and how rare to hear/see a live version of this really cool song. Thanks!

[neorunt]

To everyone who's ever seen Todd live, he made the show so personal, just like all the rest. He has a connection with the audience that few performers have, a natural and magical charm. You all know what I mean:>

[kahaki]

so so much love.

[heatdeb]

TODD FANS ACROSS THE GLOBE REJOICE.

[666eggsiseggs]

Thanks for this, the Master at work,for me this man leads ALL the rest,an extraordinary mastery of melody, virtuoso guitarist and wonderful lyricist too.

Paul.

[ibu5]

i've been a fan for 30+ yrs. we all know and adore todd's gtr. playing. but i think somehow we tend to forget that while he's playing those intricate arpeggios, parts, etc... he's also singing his ass off. and has been doing it since day one. there are many gtr. heroes out there.but they don't play AND sing like that. that's why he will always be my musical hero. peace.

[obberdepp]

its my point of view too!

[wygakyl]

Above all, it is his growth of his quest for a universal message(sons of 1984,Just One Victory), of which this, in my opinion, is his apex.I had listened to Todd for a good 7 years, and I mean constantly, but when this was released in 1981, it seemed very timely for those needing spiritual relief from the harsh liars that had taken over this land again. We did need healing, and this album was played every day back in 1981, for inspiration. After these years of Bush, I still get healing here.

[awats56]

This is from the ON TV special filmed April 3, 1981. It would become the video release "Utopia: Live At The Royal Oak". ON TV was a pay-per-view broadcast service that used a scrambled signal and a decoder box. It's life was cut short by cable services. While recored at that time I don't think it was part of the subsequent broadcast. Which leaves me only further in awe of rundgrenfan. And that is Roger Powell on keys. Check out his return to recording "Fossil Poets". It's outstanding.

[neorunt]

Nope. O'Keefe Centre Toronto, City TV broadcast. I was there, have a hand held audio recording.

[awats56]

You are correct Sir, sorry for the disinformation. :-(

[neorunt]

No worries awats56. I knew because of Todd's comments, especially 'Now he's ready'.

I don't know everything about Todd but I was there that night. Remember it like yesterday and wish it was.

[mojorisen74]

HOw good is the audios recording?

[neorunt]

To me its priceless, however to a nonfan I'd say mediocre at best. I followed his career so closely, if I had only had the foresight to make good recordings of absolutely everything. Youth is wasted on the young.

[w5cdt]

Roger Powell on keyboards?

[ReneeNme]

Todd said in an interview once that he was'nt that comfortable with his guitar playing ability.How humble is that?Whadda a nice guy.Lucky enough to have met him once at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis,MO.

[jagfug]

I saw him promote this album solo at the Northstage Dinner Theater in Long Island NY. He had that hokey band computer program that he liked to entertain with,"who needs backup musicians, they're smelly and always bitchin 'bout money" I thought Utopia was over at that point, but there was Oblivion and the 3 discer as mentioned.

[kahaki]

Todd healed me

[NBxNYer]

this is from the time of Live at Royal Oak...'81 I think...same haircut, same outfits...i saw them in nyc the next summer and they were wearing suits playing the 3 sided album Utopia...

[marci147]

oh my.....Todd really is Godd!

[chetb123]

you is right!!!

[neorunt]

Rundgrenfan I don't know what else you have in the vault but its mindblowing. ChrisTO4son got it right, it was the Okeefe Centre however could it be that far back? I was thinking more like 85. Also they had done a previous show at the Okeefe, Todd did a version of Cliche which was so moving it was unbelievable.

[peaceonearth777]

This was late 1981 or early 82. Saw the tour in Chicago. His hair length and instrument selection etc, and song state it well. Peace on,,,,,,,,,,,,

[todnyc]

AWESOME

[neorunt]

Its just beautiful Rundgrenfan, I was there!

Nothing can remove these memories from my heart. Thank you.

[redmosaic]

rundgrenfan, you are the best! Thanks so much for finding these incredible clips. As others have said, I too Love Todd with all my heart...Kasim too. and of course Utopia as a whole.

[BBoydgirl1]

It doesn't matter when or where, if it's Todd it's always the best!

[Lala1167]

I LOVE HIM!!! THANK YOU!!!

[BrentAlanBeck]

No apology needed for the quality! I've got the answer, just turn turn the biggest orb...

[ranatlas]

How nice to see/hear this one - had never seen Utopia do this live before. Thanks for sharing!

[markkupaivarinta]

Evergreen. Thank You for posting this great song.

[CruiserMel]

Thanks for sharing this! I needed this song today.

[ChrisTO4son]

Wow, I was at that show! Okeefe Centre, Toronto, '81 or '82? Great concert, & a great memory. Thanks for this.

[mistersmeeg]

Thank you for posting this.

[danstyk]

Thanks!!!  ;^D

[koshka03]

Wonderful!

[katnie08204]

The world has a healer! Thank you Todd, the Healer album is one of my favorites ... rejoice, rejoice ....

[trfollower]

This is a great live

[tone143]

Incredible tune!this is a reall gem!(and it's weird seeing Rundgren with relatively normal hair!)

[summergirl896]

todd's having a bad hair day!;] lol

[db0956]

One of the finest singers and vocal arrangers ever. What other band has those harmonies?

[motorwawt]

Brian Wilson

[rockwello]

never apologize for posting these surprises!

thank you!

[namelessneed]

the quality is fine and clearly is overridden by the fine & rare work/thanx for sharing,friend

[feeebieee]

Oh, he sounds amazing on this! I love Todd so much!!

[feeebieee]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!

[katnie08204]

Thank you, thank you, thank you - just adore Todd and loved this !