Spinner

Todd Rundgren Performing 'A Wizard, a True Star' Album on Tour

Todd RundgrenTodd Rundgren doesn't want to be called "the male Carole King" any longer.

"Carole King was one of the world's premiere songwriters before I ever stepped in a studio," Rundgren, whose early hits 'Hello It's Me' and 'I Saw the Light' were often compared to King's work, tells Spinner. "It's just that why would you want people to see you in terms of someone else? You don't want people saying, 'Oh, I heard this guy Todd Rundgren.' And then have someone else say, 'Oh, yeah. He's kind of like the male Carole King.'"

So after his 'Something/Anything?' album introduced him to the Top 10 list, he recorded 'A Wizard, a True Star,' an eclectic album that was anything but radio-friendly. When he turned in the stream-of-consciousness record with its extended melodies, varied genres and prog-rock leanings, his label was miffed -- they had planned on something more like, well, Carole King. "They were expecting a different kind of record than I delivered," Rundgren says.

Rundgren will perform the album in its entirety during a four-city California tour that begins Dec. 1 in San Francisco. The live performances will feature plenty of theatrics, with Rundgren wearing numerous costumes, including a full space suit.

"From a performance standpoint, my biggest challenge is the 12 costume changes," says Rundgren, a visually conscious performer whose video for 'Time Heals' was the second to air on MTV. "I don't actually get a breather anywhere in the show."

Rundgren, who performed the album at select venues in September, would like to add more dates but only if it works financially. He admits he's not sure how far he can take a show spotlighting a commercially unsuccessful album.

"The shows we did in September were a great proof of concept in terms of where we could possible go with this," he says. "But it's still not a mainstream thing, if you know what I mean. At this point, it's still something that mostly my own cult appreciates. So it's not like I can take it to the wilds of Arkansas."

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J Bloomrosen

I'm the tour photographer, and can attest to the amount of energy and theatrical talent that went into creating this event. It's definitely not your typical rock show (at least these days), and you can see some of it in the photo books I am putting out every night. Check em out, please. If you like Todd, you won't be sorry.

But SPOILER ALERT - Do not go and check them out if you are seeing the California shows!! You wanna be surprised, right? Yes you do!

www.blurb.com/toddrundgren

thanks, J

November 24 2009 at 12:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Leo R Dumas

Todd is so underrated it's a crime.....I've seen him many times and have always been blown away. Great singer song writer. I also loved what he did with Daryl Hall on livefromdarylshouse.com.
That show has such a great concept with a relaxed casual atmosphere and a unigue blend special guest. Todd was a perfect match for Daryl on the segment he was in.
All I can say is Todd has some of the most dedicated followers out there and with very good reason.

November 24 2009 at 7:44 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Venusgrnys

I have seen Todd and Co. play live about 9 times in the past 2 years. I loved every show I saw. I have been a long time fan and have made many good friends of other Todd heads recently. His "One World" concept is actually happening all the time, every day. It's amazing to me.
I had a ticket and a room booked for the first AWATS show in Akron and had to miss it at the very last minute. I had just bought my first house and the movers came on Sept. 3rd and the show was Sept. 6. The drive would be at least 8 hours to get to Akron from Philadelphia, PA. I still have the unused ticket. But I was so tired and was going to drive there all by myself. I love Todd and his music and all my Todd head friends and wish I had made the trip. Had I had someone with me for the ride, I would have SO been there. I'm hoping he will add a few more shows (on the east coast) after the 4 California shows and London and Amsterdam.

November 24 2009 at 2:10 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cheryl Rayden

I saw the AWATS Show in Stamford, CT. Even though the years have passed, Todd again proves what a talented WIZARD he still is and always will be....
He's probably the most under-rated Genius on the Planet... for a long time they didn't think much of Bach or Vivaldi either ! What did they know? I KNOW I KNOW I KNOW...you should not Miss the Boat by missing this Spectacular Show !

November 23 2009 at 10:49 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jeff\"Weavil\"Gauss

I was fortunate enough to catch 2 shows on the initial run of this tour-Chicago and Minneapolis...it's FANTASTIC and NOT to be missed!

www.weavils.com
(my bands)

November 23 2009 at 9:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
montanarocker

Todd is a great-artist-engineer-producer-writer-performer. I had the pleasure to see him live twice in the seventies and will always have the utmost respect and admiration. I have some of "wizard a true star on my Ipod and if he came to our town I'd go see him again.

November 23 2009 at 12:54 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply