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

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."