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Mark 'Moogy' Klingman, Keyboardist for Todd Rundgren's Utopia, Dead At 61

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Mark "Moogy" Klingman -– best known as keyboardist and a founding member of Todd Rundgren's group Utopia -– died last night (Nov. 15) following a battle with cancer. He was 61.

News of Klingman's passing was announced on Todd Rundgren's management Twitter account this afternoon as well as the RundgrenRadio Twitter account. "I have some sorrowful news this morning," read a brief statement Rundgren's Facebook page. "Last night Moogy Klingman, longtime friend and Utopian passed away after a difficult battle with cancer. He will be greatly missed. RIP Moogy."

Earlier this year, Rundgren reformed Utopian for a special one-off show in New York City. The show was a benefit concert to offset Klingman's mounting medical bills. This summer the musician had also played some shows with the Peaceniks. "As I continue to struggle with my intense health challenge, fighting the big C, I find doing music with my best friends (as the Peaceniks are) extremely healing," Klingman wrote on his site prior to the Peaceniks shows. "And as the music heals me, I promise the music will heal you as well."

Having grown up in Long Island, New York, Klingman played in a few groups early on before his relationship with Rundgren began in 1969. Getting the nickname from using the Moog synthesizers during performances, Klingman was the original keyboardist for Utopia and would perform on several Rundgren and Utopia records.

The musician is also remembered for co-writing '(You've Got to Have) Friends,' which became a signature song for Bette Midler when it appeared on her debut album 'The Divine Miss M.' Klingman would perform on Midler's 1976 album 'Songs for the New Depression.'

Rundgren is currently on tour with Utopia, a trek that was intended to include Klingman, though his illness prevented him from joining.

"I have to play a lot because I don't know how long I have left in this world," Klingman said in an interview that appeared on his site. "Ultimately, if I can hang around for a few more years it would be amazing. But if I go soon, I have to say that it was a miracle that I could do these shows, and every show will be a miracle."

Watch Todd Rundgren's Utopia Perform 'Just One Victory'

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kthymcc

I'm so very sorry to hear of the passing of Moogy! Didn't know him personally but went to a show and always got his e-mails. I felt as if I actually did know him b/c he seemed to speak from the heart. He's making music in heaven now.

November 20 2011 at 10:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
umpireplb

Mark "Moogy" Klingman was my friend and musical compadre for many years. He was a guiding light to a lot of New York musicians who could always find a place to play at Moog's Manhattan recording studios through the years or with one of his local shows, where he welcomed the contributions of both the famous and the obscure. He was blessed with an outsized talent and a wry sense of humor I always loved, and he was never afraid to use his music to express his moral outrage about anything. His death is a great loss to the musical community and to those of us lucky enough to have known and worked with him. Farewell, Mark, my dear friend.

November 19 2011 at 4:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
artnathanson

from a fan who appreciated your music so much may you rest in peace you fight was gallant and you went out with loved ones caring for you and you went out on your terms .can anyone ask for more then that??

November 17 2011 at 2:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tonyusberghi

Nice article but Moogy is not in the video. Try looking for one from the reunion
shows from last January. Just when we remembered how good you were
you were gone. Rest in peace Moogy.

November 17 2011 at 8:57 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
James Blesius

It would have been nice if Spinner actually used a video that Moogy was in. He is not in the video posted above.

November 16 2011 at 10:37 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply