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Todd Rundgren Discusses Connection to John Lennon's Assassin
- Posted on Dec 8th 2009 2:00PM by Pat Pemberton
When Todd Rundgren performs the song 'Rock and Roll Pussy,' he touches upon a bizarre connection to John Lennon's murder. Mark David Chapman, the man who assassinated Lennon in 1980, was intrigued by the song, which many believed was critical of the ex-Beatle. The delusional Chapman also believed Rundgren -- who was involved in a feud with Lennon around that time -- was beaming messages to him. Still, while Chapman was supposedly "obsessed" with Rundgren's music, the songwriter and producer says he tries not to think morbid thoughts about his unintentional connection to Lennon's death.
"When you're in the public eye, you never know who the hell is looking at you," Rundgren tells Spinner. "You would like to think you have some influence over the people who are fascinated with you, but they are casting you as some fantasy caricature they'd like to see as opposed to what you're trying to be."
Rundgren wrote 'Rock and Roll Pussy' -- a song about celebrities who talk about change but don't actually participate in it -- for his 1973 album 'A Wizard, a True Star,' which he has been performing live in its entirety. Since the song specifically mentions the word "revolution" and references lying in bed, many assumed it had to be about Lennon, the 'Revolution' songwriter who held famous "bed-in" protests with wife Yoko Ono.
"I've never actually averred that the song was about John Lennon," Rundgren insists. "I think that was an assumption because at the time there was a press conflict about us."
Soon after the album was released, Rundgren was quoted in Melody Maker magazine saying Lennon was an attention seeker out to help himself more than any cause. Lennon responded with a sarcastic letter in the magazine, saying "I never claimed to be a revolutionary. But I am allowed to sing anything I want! Right?"
Rundgren, a Beatles fan whose early music was clearly influenced by the Fab Four, said the lyrics were meant to be more general. "One can say that John Lennon was guilty possibly of some of the finger-pointing that the song evinces," he says, "but it's mostly the whole idea of talk versus action and not specific to any one person."
On Dec. 8, 1980, Chapman constructed a tableau at the Sheraton Centre hotel in New York , consisting of a bible, a 'Wizard of Oz' poster and an album, 'The Ballad of Todd Rundgren.' Later that day, he shot Lennon outside the Dakota apartment building.
"I recognize it as one of life's more unfortunate occurrences," Rundgren says of the murder. But any time you become famous, he said, scary people are going to take interest in you.
"You're just lucky if you don't meet them most of time."
- Filed under: Concerts and Tours, News, Exclusive, Holy Hell
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GEORGE ARMSTRONG
What about Lynard Skynard who wrote about Neil Young in Sweet Home Alabama, "...well I hope Neil Young will remember.....Southern Man don't need him around." That was pretty blatant wording although I don't believe they meant any harm from it either. Now, if someone from the south had gone out and killed Neil Young as a result would we blame Lynard Skynard? That would be just as foolish. Thankfully Mr. Young is still performing today.
September 23 2010 at 11:46 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
D. Gunn
I saw Utopia perform Deface the Music on Halloween 1980, just weeks before John Lennon was shot. Todd's Beatle parody/homage just became became weird after that event. I saw Utopia perform New Year Eve in Philadelphia just three weeks after the assasination of Lennon and Todd was still performing the material, it was kind of tasteless at that point. The connection to Chapman was not brought to my attention for many, many years after, and I was hardly surprised.
February 23 2010 at 11:54 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Hollywood Rcker
Whats next ei Flying Tortillas invade the U.S Look They are Turning into Giant burritos run!
January 14 2010 at 5:04 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
david
One thing the article fails to mention: Chapman visited the offices of Bearsville Records near Woodstock NY shortly before he traveled to NYC and killed Lennon (Bearsville was the label that put out Rundgren's albums at the time). Chapman asked for Rundgren and was told he was out of town.
January 02 2010 at 4:32 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
terrr28
Well Todd used to play a George Harrison song in concert and George Harrison died, so using the logic on these posts, Todd is connected to George Harrison's death as well. And, Todd used to play in Ringo Starr's All Star Band, so when Ringo dies........
December 26 2009 at 12:13 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Charly Manson
Todd. lol , besides some 70's mediocre hits, who the hell is he? and who cares about him anyway , maybe he needs to be shot.
December 23 2009 at 6:11 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Ros
For those who comment with hate and vengence. Don't they think John Lennon would be disappointed to hear such talk. He was always for Love and peace.
December 17 2009 at 3:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Bongo Brain
Number nine backwards says turn me on dead man. Lennon still does and his music will live on well beyond any of us or Todd and I love them all. Keep on rockin!
December 12 2009 at 10:48 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Sara
I agree, he obviously SHOULD have had one, but said he felt like a "normal person" in NYC, and felt safe... hell, he signed chapman's record and offered to pose for a picture with chapman just hours before... i think it's cool that someone of that stature was so accessible... and yes, it cost him his life :(
December 10 2009 at 5:49 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Sara
HALLOWKING
at 12-09-2009YOU TURN OFF YOUR RADIO ??!! TODD IS PARTIALLY REPONSIABLE???!!! ARE YOU COMPLETELY INSANE?? LISTEN LITTLE GIRL ALL TODD DID WAS SING WHAT HE FELT .. BUT THEN AGAIN I CAN SEE THAT YOU ARE A COMPLETELY BRAINWASHED PRODUCT OF THE NEW WORLD ORDER AND IF YOU HAD IT YOUR WAY YOU WOULD LOCK SOMEONE UP FOR HAVING AN OPINION!!! BTW I LOVE BOTH TODD AND JOHN !
BENJIE SANTINE
Yes, FREAK... I turn of the radio in my OWN, PERSONAL vehicle. I don't insist everyone else turn theirs off, and this is the first time I've EVER posted about it. You sound as loony as Chapman. Overreacting much? LOL... NEW WORLD ORDER because I change MY station as a matter of MY personal preference? Sounds like YOU are the weirdo here. Go back to listen to your rundgren records and read catcher in the rye now.
33 Comments